When you are looking at foods that go well together, you can’t go wrong by adding some cheese to your bacon. These two food groups complement each other so well—Bacon that is rich and salty is well balanced by the creamy and sometimes sharp flavour of cheese. There is such a variety of cheeses available, and a spectrum of flavours to enjoy. We are sharing our top 5 cheeses that go best with our delicious thick-cut bacon.

Let’s talk nutrition as well. As well as being a great tasting combination both bacon and cheese when eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet help provide the body with all its nutritional needs.

Bacon is a good source of high-quality protein as well as several B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B5 and B12) It also provides trace minerals such as phosphorus, zinc and selenium. The nutritional benefits of cheese are primarily a good source of calcium and protein, whilst also providing vitamins A and B12 and the minerals zinc and phosphorus.

1. Cheddar – First on our list is the overall all-rounder and ever-popular cheese, that originated in the English village of Cheddar, Somerset. This is a firm cheese with a flavour that varies from a more subtle and buttery taste in a young (mild) cheese, to a sharper and more tangy taste of a mature cheddar. It’s this natural sharpness that makes it such a great choice. Which cheddar do you prefer? With such a variety there is a cheddar to suit most people’s tastes. It’s also a great melting cheese for the most delicious grilled cheese and bacon sandwich or topping a cheese and ᷅bacon burger.
   
   
   
2. Gruyère – Another hard cheese that was first produced in the town of Gruyères in Switzerland. This has a more nutty and slightly sweet flavour and is also a great melting cheese. So, this is an excellent option to use instead of cheddar in your grilled cheese and bacon sandwich or top your burger with a slice of this and two rashers of our bacon for a bacon and cheeseburger with a twist.
   
   
   
3. Gouda – has a more smoky and savoury flavour, one that blends with the flavour of bacon seamlessly. It’s a popular Dutch cheese, that is a semi-hard cheese, with a creamy flavour. As with other cheeses its flavour changes after aging, so a young cheese is mild and slightly sweet, whilst aged Gouda takes on a stronger more nutty flavour and has a crumblier texture.  We suggest adding a slice of young Gouda to your bacon and egg breakfast sandwich, for a more filling breakfast.
   
   
   
4. Emmental – is another Swiss cheese that originated in the Swiss Alps and named after the Emmental valley of a river, near the capital city Berne. Widely produced around the world, they all share the characteristic holes, if not being exactly like the original in their flavour. A good allrounder cheese that melts well with a mild and nutty flavour. If you are a fan of puff pastry, use this to make tasty bacon and cheese turnovers for your next picnic or packed lunch.
   
   
   
5. Brie – is a soft cow’s-milk cheese that has a rich, creamy and buttery taste. Sometimes described as nutty and slightly acidic, it’s the perfect accompaniment to our bacon. Named after Brie, a historic region of northern France, the name describes a style of cheese that was produced in this region. Add it to a cold bacon baguette for a satisfying lunch, or serve it hot melted into the ooziest panini. Delicious!

If you are planning a Ploughman’s lunch, why not add bacon instead of ham to that too. Whilst it’s not a strictly traditional addition, it would be a more modern version for all you bacon lovers! Or to satisfy your sandwich cravings why not have a bacon Ploughman’s sandwich. Load yours with crispy grilled thick-cut bacon, smoked or unsmoked, cheese, pickle, lettuce tomato and cucumber.

Shop for both our Unsmoked and Smoked Premium Rindless Back Bacon here.

For more inspiration on bacon and cheese combos, see our recipes.