Best Cheese for Burgers (Top 9 Types)

Wondering about the best cheese for burgers? For the best burger experience, opt for American, Cheddar, or Swiss.

To kick things up a notch and take the flavors over the top, try Blue Cheese or Pepper Jack.

From backyard cookouts to gourmet restaurant offerings, a cheeseburger is a beloved comfort food.

Whether you prefer classic cheeses or something with a kick, this list has you covered.

Ready? Transform your cookouts into an unforgettable gourmet experience with these delicious cheeses.

Best Cheese for Burgers

1. American Cheese

American cheese is a processed cheese product known for its sharp flavor and smooth texture. With its mild, slightly tangy flavor and bright color, it’s a true staple.

The cheese’s soft texture allows it to coat the patty evenly. It creates a delicious layer that harmonizes with the meat’s flavors. 

While it doesn’t have a complex flavor profile, it provides the nostalgic cheeseburger experience.

2. Cheddar Cheese

Sharp, rich, and a little bit sassy, Cheddar cheese lends burgers a robust and full-bodied flavor. Its hearty taste pairs excellently with many ingredients. It’s a versatile option for any recipe variation. 

Depending on your preference, you can go for mild or sharp cheddar. Whichever you choose, expect a wonderful fusion of tanginess and creaminess with every bite.

3. Swiss Cheese

Swiss cheese is best known for its distinctive holes and mildly nutty flavor. The cheese is medium-hard with a pale yellow color and a buttery texture. 

It adds a layer of creaminess when melted on a burger without overpowering the meat. It also delivers a layer of complexity to your burger experience. 

The mild flavor makes it a versatile cheese that can complement a variety of burger toppings. Plus, Swiss cheese’s unique appearance can add an appealing visual element.

4. Blue Cheese

The rebel of the cheese world, Blue cheese isn’t for the faint-hearted. Its intense, tangy, and somewhat peppery flavor can elevate your burger to gourmet status. 

This cheese’s crumbly yet creamy texture brings a delightful contrast to the juicy burgers. It’s characterized by the veins of blue mold that run through it.

It melts into a creamy texture, providing a contrasting bite to the savory meat. Blue cheese best pairs well with robust, flavorful burger additions like caramelized onions or bacon.

Perfect for those adventurous palates, it’ll transform your ordinary burger into an extraordinary delight.

5. Pepper Jack

If you like your burger with a kick, look no further than Pepper Jack cheese. 

Pepper Jack is a variety of Monterey Jack that’s been flavored with chili peppers and aromatics. It’s semi-soft with a smooth, creamy texture that melts beautifully. 

The cheese offers a mild, sweet flavor offset by a kick of heat from the peppers. This cheese will add a spicy twist to any burger. 

It’s especially perfect on burgers with a Tex-Mex or Southwest theme.

6. Monterey Jack

Monterey Jack is your perfect cheese match if you’re after a harmonious, feel-good burger.

It’s a semi-hard cheese with a slightly sweet flavor and creamy, smooth texture. It’s a great melting cheese, making it perfect for burgers. 

Monterey Jack’s buttery and delicate flavor allows it to blend seamlessly with the meat’s flavors. This cheese provides a subtly creamy background note that doesn’t overpower the overall taste.

7. Provolone

Provolone is an Italian cheese that comes in a variety of flavors. It boasts mild and sweet flavors to sharp and tangy, depending on its age. 

It’s a semi-hard cheese with a smooth texture that melts well, perfect for burgers. Its flavor can add depth to your burger and stands up well to robust, hearty meats.

Provolone is the choice for those seeking a sophisticated blend and an unexpected kick in their burgers.

8. Brie

If elegance were a cheese, it would undoubtedly be Brie. Known as the “Queen of Cheeses,” Brie brings a creamy, buttery, and slightly earthy flavor. 

It becomes exceptionally creamy and luxurious when melted on a burger, adding a gourmet touch. 

It pairs well with various ingredients, especially sweet elements. Topping your burger with Brie feels like rolling out the red carpet for your tastebuds.

9. Gouda

Gouda is a Dutch cheese known for its rich, creamy, and slightly sweet flavor.

Young Gouda is mild and highly meltable, which is great for a burger. Aged Gouda develops a more profound caramel sweetness and a delightful crunch from cheese crystals. 

Its flavor profile can enhance the meatiness of the burger and add an element of sweetness. Whatever you choose, it can make your burger a sensation.