The 15 Best Cheeses to Pair with Corned Beef

Corned beef is a salt-cured brisket that has a rich beefy flavor. This hearty cut of meat is often featured in deli sandwiches or served with cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day. Finding the right cheese to serve alongside corned beef can take it from great to spectacular. The cheese provides a complementary texture and taste that enhances the entire dish.

In this article, I’ll recommend 15 of the best cheeses to pair with corned beef and explain why each is a winning combination. Whether you prefer a slice on rye bread, a creamy cheese sauce, or a Irish classic like cabbage and corned beef, these cheese recommendations will take your meal to the next level.

1. Swiss

Swiss cheese is one of the most popular pairings with corned beef. Its firm yet flexible texture stands up well when layered on sandwiches. The nutty, slightly sweet flavor also balances the salty richness of the cured meat. Swiss cheese comes in a range of styles from the famous holes-filled Emmentaler to Gruyère. Try thin slices or grated Swiss to mix into hot corned beef and cabbage.

2. Cheddar

For classic corned beef flavor, you can’t go wrong with cheddar This ubiquitous cheese has a salty sharpness that highlights the seasoning of the meat. Cheddar’s creamy texture also helps cut through the fattiness of corned beef Go for an aged orange cheddar or white cheddar for maximum flavor impact. Extra sharp varieties pair especially nicely.

3. Blue Cheese

The bold spice and salty funk of blue cheese makes it an exciting match for corned beef’s assertive taste. The creamy crumbly texture and tangy flavor of blue cheese pair perfectly with the fattiness of the brisket. Gorgonzola, Stilton, or Roquefort all make great options. Try a blue cheese dressing or sauce on the side.

4. Muenster

The smooth, mild nuttiness of Muenster cheese mellows out the intensity of corned beef. Its subtle flavor doesn’t overpower the meat. The creamy, soft texture also nicely contrasts the brisket’s heartiness. Muenster melts beautifully on sandwiches or in baked dishes with corned beef.

5. Provolone

Salty, tangy provolone is made for corned beef. Its sharpness cuts through the meat’s richness. Provolone also has a firm, dense texture that holds up well layered on sandwiches or melted atop casseroles. For best results, use an aged provolone which develops more bite.

6. Havarti

For a more delicate, subtle cheese pairing, go for Havarti. This semi-soft Danish cheese has a mild, buttery flavor with a hint of sharpness. Its smooth, creamy texture adds moisture and richness without overwhelming the corned beef. Havarti also melts superbly on open-faced sandwiches.

7. Fontina

Earthy, nutty Fontina makes a sophisticated match for corned beef. This Italian cheese has a dense, velvety texture and intense yet not overly sharp flavor. It melts beautifully while still retaining texture. Fontina’s rustic flavor profile pairs wonderfully with the cured brisket. Grated fontina on top of a corned beef casserole is divine.

8. Monterey Jack

Monterey Jack is a perfect melting cheese to serve with corned beef. Thanks to its high moisture content, Monterey Jack melts into creamy deliciousness beautifully. It has a supple texture and mild flavor accented by a light tanginess. Try Monterey Jack in quesadillas, tacos, or burritos with corned beef.

9. Colby

Closely related to cheddar, Colby cheese is an excellent choice with corned beef. It has a smooth, creamy mouthfeel and mild flavor that balances the strong meat taste. Colby melts exceptionally well, making it ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches or cheesy baked dishes featuring corned beef. Mild Colby allows the brisket to shine.

10. Mozzarella

Fresh mozzarella adds delicious creamy moisture and subtle flavor to corned beef dishes. Thanks to its high moisture content, the cheese easily softens and melts without turning greasy. The fresh, milky taste cuts through salty meats nicely. Use fresh mozzarella in caprese salads with corned beef or on pizza and flatbreads.

11. Pepper Jack

Pepper jack cheese has a spicy kick that livens up corned beef sandwiches or baked entrees. The jalapeño and habanero peppers provide a fiery contrast to the rich fattiness of the brisket. The smooth texture also nicely melts over the meat. For a real flavor punch, go for pepper jack with bold spicy heat.

12. Gouda

Gouda makes a fantastic pairing with corned beef thanks to its complex caramel tones and salty sharpness. The supple, dense cheese has a melt-in-your mouth texture. Aged gouda cheeses develop crunchy crystalline bits that add fabulous texture contrast. The cheese’s round flavors beautifully balance the brisket.

13. Asiago

For an assertive cheese match, go for Asiago. This Italian cheese has a strong, pungent flavor with nutty and fruity notes. Young Asiago is milky while aged versions take on a bold sharpness. The dense, crumbly texture stands up well to the meat. Grated Asiago makes an excellent topping for corned beef dishes.

14. Feta

Briny, tangy feta cuts through the richness of corned beef fabulously. The crumbly texture and salty punch of good feta balance the meat’s unctuousness. Use feta in Greek salads topped with corned beef or as part of a mezze platter with the brisket. Feta’s moist, milky quality offsets the dryness of cured meat.

15. Cream Cheese

For an easy, creamy pairing, whip up some chive cream cheese to go with your corned beef. Plain cream cheese has a mild taste that allows the brisket flavor to take center stage. Blending in chives, garlic, or other herbs punches up the flavor. Use herbed cream cheese as a sandwich spread, in dips, or in cheese balls.