What to Serve with Blue Cheese? 7 BEST Side Dishes

If there was a competition for the Most Pungent Cheese, blue cheese would be a shoo-in for the top spot.

Its sharp, salty flavor can pack a real punch, making it a love-it-or-hate-it kind of cheese.

But if you’re part of the blue cheese camp, you know its bold flavor is worth the pungency.

Whether you’re looking for a blue cheese-based recipe or just want to know what to serve with blue cheese that’ll complement its flavor, we’ve got you covered.

From salads and pasta to fruits and even chocolate, here are 7 side dishes that go well with blue cheese.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Blue Cheese?

People who love blue cheese will chow down on the cheese alone.

Maybe with some crackers, if they’re feeling fancy.

But for those who find its flavor too strong, serving it with side dishes can help tone down the sharpness while still allowing the blue cheese taste to shine through.

Besides, don’t you think a charcuterie board would look incomplete with only one item? Of course, you’ll have to pick the right sides to ensure they don’t outshine the blue cheese or overwhelm your taste buds.

The right side dish can help bring out different flavors in blue cheese that you may not have noticed before.

What to Serve with Blue Cheese? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Without any further ado, let’s look at the 7 best side dishes you can serve with blue cheese.

1 – Assortment of Crackers, Nuts, and Meat

This one is a bit of a no-brainer.

Crackers are always a good choice to serve with cheese; they can be either plain or flavored.

If you want to keep things simple, go for some water crackers or wheat thins.

But if you’re feeling adventurous, get crackers with herbs or spices.

Pair the crackers with roasted nuts, such as almonds or pecans, and cured meats like salami or prosciutto.

The salty flavor of the meat will go well with the blue cheese, and the crackers will help balance out the richness.

And there you have it; a whole charcuterie board filled with deliciousness.

2 – Fruit Salad

Who says salads have to be savory? A fruit salad is a tasty and refreshing side dish that goes well with blue cheese.

The sweetness of the fruit will help cut through the sharpness of the cheese, and the crunchiness will add texture contrast.

Plus, the color contrast will make for a beautiful presentation.

You can toss in any fruit, but we think apples, grapes, pears, and dried figs are great choices.

3 – Focaccia with Pear and Caramelized Onions

Focaccia is a type of Italian flatbread that’s delicious on its own.

But when you add some sweet pear slices and caramelized onions, it becomes a real treat.

The sweetness from the pear and onions will help balance out the saltiness of the blue cheese, while the olive oil in the focaccia will bring out its richness.

This dish is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, so make sure to time it right.

4 – Grilled Summer Squash

Want some fresh and seasonal? Grilled summer squash is the way to go.

The slight charring from the grill will give the squash a bit of sweetness and smokiness, while the crispness adds a nice contrast to the creamy texture of blue cheese.

As for what type of squash to use, feel free to experiment.

Zucchini, yellow squash, and pattypan squash are all great options.

Just slice them thinly, so they cook evenly on the grill.

Garnish with some chopped herbs like parsley or chives, and you’re all set.

5 – Fried Shrimps

When you serve some fiery fried shrimp with some delicious blue cheese dressing, you get a dish that’s both flavorful and elegant.

The shrimp are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, while the dressing is creamy and tangy.

Best of all, this dish is relatively easy to make.

Marinate the shrimp in a mixture of buttermilk and egg for about an hour.

Then coat it with cornstarch and deep fry in vegetable oil at 375° for about 4 minutes.

Once cooked, toss the crispy shrimp in a mixture of hot sauce and melted butter.

For the dressing, blend some blue cheese with mayonnaise, sour cream, dill, and red wine vinegar.

Then, season with salt and pepper.

6 – Chicken Quesadillas

Sure, quesadillas are all about those classic Mexican cheeses.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t switch things up and use blue cheese instead.

The creamy and sharp flavors of blue cheese go really well with the crispy tortillas and juicy chicken, while the salsa adds a nice touch of sweetness and acidity.

To make this dish, simply cook some chopped chicken in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, and spices.

Then, assemble the quesadillas with the chicken, blue cheese, and salsa.

Grill or cook in a skillet until the tortillas are crispy and the cheese is melted.

7 – Roasted Broccoli

If you’re looking for something simple yet quick and healthy, look no further than roasted broccoli.

Roast the broccoli in a large iron skillet as you like.

You might want to boil the broccolis first for about 3-4 minutes to speed up the cooking process.

Before serving, drizzle some delicious blue cheese sauce over the top.

If you’re wondering how to make the blue cheese sauce, it’s easy.

Just melt some butter in a saucepan, then add flour.

Whisk constantly and toast the flour for about 2-3 minutes.

Then, add some nutmeg and rosemary and cook for another 15 seconds.

Allow the mixture to simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes, add the blue cheese, and whisk until the cheese melts.

And that’s it.

Conclusion

Given its pungent and unique flavor, blue cheese can be a bit tricky to work with.

But as you can see from the above recipes, it can be used in a variety of dishes to add both flavor and sophistication.

So, the next time you have some blue cheese in your fridge, don’t be afraid to experiment.

You can try one of our favorite recipes mentioned above, or you can go ahead and create a new dish of your own.

Who knows, you might just come up with the next blue cheese masterpiece.