Goat’s Cheese and Beyond: Unleashing Flavor Pairing Secrets!
Goat’s cheese pairs well with sweet flavors like berries, figs, and honey to balance its tanginess. Savory options include olives and sundried tomatoes. Herbs like thyme and rosemary, and a hint of spice with chili flakes or black pepper, enhance its bold taste. For beverages, light white wines like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc for fresh cheese, and red wines like Beaujolais or Pinot Noir for aged variants complement its flavors.
Sweet and Tangy Flavors
I’m guessing that you may think that sweet ingredients and goat’s cheese are not exactly a match made in heaven.
But I can assure you that this particular combination really works!
The sweetness perfectly balances the strong, tangy flavor of the goat’s cheese.
Some of my favorite options are berries, figs, and honey.
Let’s take a look at each of them.
Starting with honey, use the runny variety and simply drizzle it over the cheese.
This is absolutely gorgeous, whether as an appetizer or just a snack.
Serve it with crackers or toasted bread for an indulgent treat!
Moving on to figs, this creates an unusual yet delicious combination.
You can simply serve the cheese with cut figs for a quick and easy lunch.
The combination of figs and cheese provides some nutritional benefits, giving you calcium, fiber, and potassium.
Or, for something more satisfying, you can serve this warm by opening up the fig halves and pushing the goat’s cheese into the middle of them.
Bake in the oven for just five minutes for a sticky, sweet delight!
Finally, berries such as strawberries or raspberries add a refreshing twist to goat’s cheese.
And don’t forget that berries have a lot of vitamins and antioxidants, adding extra nutritional value to your cheese.
Savory and Spicy Flavors
Now, let’s find out if any spicy or savory flavors are strong enough to cope with goat’s cheese!
Perhaps unsurprisingly, we are looking at Mediterranean ingredients here, such as olives or sun-dried tomatoes.
Raw tomatoes are naturally sweet and would go well with the cheese anyway.
But the sun-dried options also have a savory edge to them, and can even be somewhat oily, which cuts through the richness of goat’s cheese.
Olives and cheese are well known as a match made in heaven, especially in Greece or Spain.
The olives have a hint of salt to them, which complements the goat’s cheese.
My personal preference is Kalamata olives, but feel free to experiment with other varieties.
So, let’s think about herbs, and sometimes you can purchase goat’s cheese that already has these added.
Typically, it will be thyme or rosemary, which works particularly well with the cheese.
But again, heading back to Greek flavors, you could sprinkle oregano over your cheese for a flavorful hit.
Finally, we consider the addition of spice.
I am not talking about adding goat’s cheese to a curry, but simply enhancing your dishes with a hint of warmth.
Black pepper is a magical ingredient that livens up any food and is a natural partner to cheese.
Goat’s cheese makes a fantastic dip, and adding a sprinkle of ground black pepper takes it to another level.
If you enjoy goat’s cheese on pizzas, try adding a few chili flakes!

Wine and Beverage Pairings
So, now we’ve sorted out the food, are there any wines that are suitable for drinking with goat’s cheese?
Or will the cheese simply overpower the flavor of the wine?
You might be surprised to learn that there are both red and white wines that complement goat’s cheese.
For a lighter-tasting, younger cheese, consider the likes of Pinot Grigio or my favorite, Sauvignon Blanc.
They will help to bring out the fresh flavor of the cheese.
An aged goat’s cheese will require something a little bolder, a glass of red wine such as Beaujolais or Pinot Noir.
There are tannins present in red wine, and they will balance out the strong flavors.
If you’re being adventurous, cider can work well with cheese!
Or, if you don’t want an alcoholic drink, then green tea or sparkling water can be a refreshing alternative.
Goat’s Cheese Risotto
Key Takeaways
- Tangy and sweet flavors such as berries, figs, and honey balance out the strong tanginess of goat’s cheese, creating a delicious taste
- Savory ingredients including olives and sundried tomatoes match well with goat’s cheese, for a flavorful and delicious combination
- A touch of spice can be added to a goat’s cheese dish to help bring out the tanginess and create a unique flavor
- Serve fresh goat’s cheese with light white wines such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc and aged goat’s cheese with red wines including Beaujolais and Pinot Noir
- Goat’s cheese pairings can add extra nutrients to a dish, such as vitamins from fresh berries
Hopefully, you have discovered some new ideas for pairing goat’s cheese, whether you prefer savory or sweet!
Adding healthy ingredients to the cheese can also raise the nutrient count.
On the subject of cheese pairing, you can find out if feta goes with parmesan.
How do you feel about mixing sweet and savory flavors with goat’s cheese?
Let us know in the comments below!