What Food Goes Well With Brie Cheese: The Best Combinations

The sumptuous taste and velvety texture of Brie make this soft cheese an international favourite.

Whilst a simple meal of Brie and French bread is delightful, this soft cheese is so versatile that its complex flavours work well in sweet and savoury dishes.

Read on to discover ways to make the most of this iconic cheese.

What is Brie?

Brie is a traditional soft cheese produced in the region of the same name in northern France. It is usually made using cow's milk, but some cheese makers use goat's milk.

Brie has an edible rind of white mould, a soft and buttery texture, and is produced in large rounds.

Although this delicious cheese originates from France, Brie-style cheeses are now produced worldwide, with Somerset being the centre of Brie production in the UK.

Does Brie need to ripen?

Brie is at its best when allowed to ripen. The ripening process typically lasts several months but can take up to a year, resulting in cheese with a firm rind and a soft yet resilient interior.

The ripening process allows the flavour of the cheese to develop. Young Brie has a mild and delicate taste. After a few months of ripening, a more complex and earthy flavour of mushrooms and nuts develops.

Don't leave your Brie for too long, though, as over-ripened Brie has an unpleasant ammonia smell.

There's more to life than crusty bread: foods that complement Brie

In France, Brie is traditionally served with crusty bread, a plain accompaniment that puts the cheese's natural flavour centre stage.

However, this unique and delicious cheese is a perfect partner for a variety of sweet and savoury foodstuffs.

Fruit and nuts

We love to eat Brie with fresh fruit.

The refreshing acidity and sweetness of apples or grapes perfectly complement the rich buttery taste of Brie. Other juicy stone fruits, such as peaches, apricots, and plums, have a special affinity with Brie.

Unsalted almonds and walnuts provide a crunchy contrast to the velvety texture of this soft cheese.

Salads and vegetables

Brie pairs perfectly with salads and vegetables, making even the simplest meal special.

The earthy taste and smooth texture of ripe Brie adds a silky umami to a crisp green salad and elevate the simplest serving of green beans or peas.

Pasta and Brie

If you allow shredded Brie to heat gently in a saucepan and then stir it into cooked pasta and caramelised onion or leeks, you will create a quick and easy vegetarian dish perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Brie and Broccoli soup

Why should Stilton soup get all the adulation?

Broccoli and Brie soup, served piping hot, is a savoury soup with a creamy texture that will be a hit with the whole family.

Serve in bowls with some grated mature Cheddar cheese scattered on top for an extra tangy kick.

Brie on pizza?

Why not?

Purists may shudder, but a pizza topped with Brie, olive oil, and aromatic herbs gives a stylish twist to pizza night.

Bacon and Brie

Brie with bacon may be a step too far for some cheese connoisseurs, but a slice of buttery brie topped with a twist of salty bacon or dried ham makes for a decadent party treat.

Brie with Cheese

The simplest solution is often the best, and the tastiest accompaniment for Brie is a selection of other carefully chosen cheeses.

A creamy Brie served with a tangy mature Cheddar cheese and a pungent blue cheese is a delicious centrepiece for any celebration. Add a few wheat crackers and fresh fruit for a stylish cheeseboard.

Baked Brie

Brie should always be removed from the fridge and served at room temperature to experience its most complex flavours, but baked Brie offers an even higher level of cheesy taste sensation.

This simple recipe involves baking a round of Brie in a warm oven for about 10 minutes to release the cheese's earthy flavours and make its texture even more sumptuous.

Baked brie with apples and plums makes a tasty autumn dessert.

Alternatively, drizzle warm Brie with honey and sprinkle with chopped walnuts for a sophisticated treat at any time of year.

The best drinks to serve with Brie

Fresh and acidic white wines, such as Sauvignon Blanc or even Champagne, are ideal complements to rich, buttery Brie.

Non-alcoholic beverages flavoured with elderflower or apple give the same palate-cleaning sensation without overwhelming the cheese's flavours.

If you're a red wine fan, pair your French soft cheese with a fruity French red wine, such as a Gamay. The jammy flavours in a glass of Syrah would also work well with a creamy Brie.

Beer is also a good accompaniment for Brie, particularly a light German-style beer with citrus undertones.

Storing Brie

Brie should always be kept in the fridge until about half an hour before serving.

If there is any remaining cheese after your culinary endeavours, you can wrap it loosely in wax paper and return it to the fridge.

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