What Cheese Goes with Pulled Pork?
Monterey Jack, Sharp Cheddar and Smoked Gouda are good cheeses to go with pulled pork. Monterey Jack melts cleanly over the hot meat. Sharp Cheddar adds a strong, tangy flavor, and Smoked Gouda has a smoky taste that matches pork smoked over wood.
Photo: Thogru, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Top Cheese Pairings for Pulled Pork
Other Cheese Pairings for Pulled Pork
What cheese goes with pulled pork, and why
Monterey Jack
Monterey Jack is a white, semi-hard cow's milk cheese from Monterey, California. It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor, so the savory pork and barbecue sauce stay the main flavors.
It also melts cleanly. Lay a slice over hot pulled pork on a bun, or melt it with the pork in a quesadilla or burrito.
Sharp Cheddar
Sharp Cheddar is a semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk, commonly produced in the United States. It has a strong, tangy flavor that gets sharper as it ages, so the savory pork and barbecue sauce do not hide its taste.
The cheese is firm and a little crumbly. Grate it over the warm meat, or slice it for a grilled pulled pork sandwich.
Smoked Gouda
Smoked Gouda is a hard cheese from the Netherlands with a creamy texture and a smoky flavor. Pulled pork is typically slow-smoked over wood, so the cheese and the meat share that smoky taste.
The cheese also tastes savory and slightly sweet, and the pork is savory too. It is easy to slice for a sandwich, and you can melt it into a hot pork dish.
Colby, Mozzarella and Provolone also go with pulled pork. Colby and Mozzarella both taste mild and milky. Colby is semi-hard, and Mozzarella is semi-soft and creamy.
Provolone is semi-hard with a tangy flavor.
How to serve pulled pork with cheese
- Pulled pork may be served on bread as a sandwich. Add the cheese while the meat is still hot so Monterey Jack or Smoked Gouda can soften and melt.
- Pulled pork can also be eaten on its own. Grate Sharp Cheddar over a bowl of the warm meat.
- If you mix the pork with barbecue sauce, pick a cheese whose taste still comes through. Tangy Sharp Cheddar and smoky Smoked Gouda both work.
- Sharp Cheddar is often used in mac and cheese. You can stir shredded pulled pork into the mac and cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cheese for pulled pork?
Monterey Jack, Sharp Cheddar and Smoked Gouda are good cheeses for pulled pork. Pick Monterey Jack if you want a mild cheese that melts cleanly. Pick Sharp Cheddar for a strong, tangy flavor, or Smoked Gouda for a smoky taste that matches pork smoked over wood.
What is the best cheese for pulled pork sandwiches?
Monterey Jack is a good choice for pulled pork sandwiches because it melts cleanly over hot meat. Sharp Cheddar is firm, slices well and is often used in grilled sandwiches. Smoked Gouda is easy to slice too, and people commonly eat it in sandwiches.
What is the best cheese for BBQ pulled pork?
Sharp Cheddar has a strong, tangy flavor, so you can still taste it when pulled pork is mixed with barbecue sauce. Smoked Gouda adds a smoky, slightly sweet taste. Monterey Jack is milder, so pick it if you want the sauce and meat to stay the main flavors.
Does cheese go with pulled pork?
Yes. Pulled pork is tender and savory, and cheese adds another flavor to it. Monterey Jack melts cleanly, so it works well on a hot pulled pork sandwich. If you eat the pork without bread, grate a firm cheese like Sharp Cheddar over the warm meat.