Fig jam is a delicious condiment that can add a lot of flavor to your cheese plate.
The thing is, it’s not easy to find the right combination of cheeses to go with it.
I’ve done the research so you don’t have to!
Read on if you want to find out which cheeses work best with fig jam, and which ones are best avoided.
What Cheese Goes with Fig Jam?
Fig jam is a delicious, sweet spread that goes well with many cheeses. Aged cheddar, for example, has a sharp and tangy flavor that complements the sweetness of fig jam. Brie is also a great choice because it is mild enough to be paired with the sweetness of fig jam without overpowering its taste.
When you’re choosing what cheese to pair with fig jam, there are a few things to consider: the texture of the cheese, its saltiness, the level of tanginess and sweetness in the fig jam itself, and whether you want something mild or bold.
Here are 15 kinds of cheese that go great with fig jam:
1. Goat Cheese
Goat cheese is made from the milk of goats, which means it’s creamy and rich without being overwhelming.
The sweetness in fig jam complements the saltiness of goat cheese and makes for an excellent pairing.
Try spreading this combo on toast or crackers!
2. Cheddar
Cheddar is a very traditional pairing with fig jam.
Both have strong flavors that complement each other, so even if you don’t like cheddar on its own, it may be worth giving this combo a try!
You could also try using cheddar as an ingredient in a dish that calls for goat cheese—it’ll add another layer of flavor to the dish.
3. Brie
Brie has a buttery texture that works well with the softness in fig jam’s flavor profile—it brings out all of their best qualities!
Add some fresh fruit slices for an extra burst of sweetness.
4. Blue Cheese
If you’re looking to get a little adventurous with your fig jam, try pairing it with blue cheese.
Blue cheese has a distinct taste that can be overpowering if not paired properly, but the sweetness of figs makes them an excellent complement to blue cheese’s tangy flavor.
5. Camembert
Camembert is an unctuous, soft cheese with a subtle taste.
While it’s not at all bad on its own, it really shines when paired with fig jam.
It’s got just enough tanginess to cut through the sweetness of the figs, but not so much that it overwhelms the whole bite.
You’ll notice that the cheese melts in your mouth as you eat it—but this doesn’t make it too runny or messy; instead, it’s nice and creamy, which helps bring out the best flavors of both ingredients.
6. Gruyere
Gruyere is another fantastic option if you’re looking to pair your fig jam with cheese!
This hard Swiss cheese has a nutty flavor that works perfectly with sweet figs.
It also has a slight spiciness to it (from being aged in caves) which makes it perfect for pairing with sweet jams like strawberry or cherry.
7. Feta
Feta is a soft cheese made from sheep’s milk.
It’s typically aged in brine and pressed into blocks, but it can also be crumbled or sliced.
Feta has a crumbly texture similar to ricotta, and its salty flavor goes well with sweet preserves like fig jam.
8. Gouda
Gouda is a semi-hard cow’s milk cheese that originated in the Netherlands.
It’s typically aged for at least 8 months until it becomes smooth and firm, though younger versions are still soft enough to spread on toast.
The mild flavor of Gouda pairs well with figs or other sweet preserves—you won’t even need to add honey!
9. Havarti
This Danish cheese is mild and creamy, with a touch of saltiness.
It works well with fig jam because it’s not too strong, so the sweetness of the jam can shine through.
The texture is also easy to spread on crackers, and it’s easy to find at any grocery store.
10. Mozzarella
Mozzarella is a soft cheese made from cow’s milk that originated in Italy.
It has an elastic texture, so it pairs well with fig jam because both are soft foods with moist textures—the mozzarella will hold up well against the moisture in the fruit.
If you want to make sure your dish comes out right, try pairing it with mozzarella!
11. Colby Jack
Colby Jack is a great option for pairing with fig jam because it has a subtle sweetness that can stand up to the jam’s bold flavor.
The cheese also has a mild tanginess that matches well with the tartness of figs, and it has a creamy texture that helps to bring out the creaminess in your fig jam.
12. Edam
Edam is a mild yet flavorful Dutch cheese made from cow’s milk that pairs well with fig jam due to its sweet and slightly salty flavor profile.
While we prefer pairing this cheese with fresh figs over dried ones because they have such a strong flavor profile on their own, edam can be used
13. Parmesan
This is a classic combination that’s sure to please any palate.
Parmesan cheese is sharp and tangy, so it cuts through the sweetness of the jam while still complementing its flavor profile.
It’s also very versatile—you can use it in everything from salads to pasta dishes.
Just don’t go overboard; too much of this cheese could overpower your dish and leave it feeling too bitter or salty.
14. Swiss
Another classic pairing for figs (and also for many other fruits), Swiss cheese is milder than Parmesan but still packs some punch in terms of flavor intensity.
Like Parmesan, it’s also versatile—you can use it in salads, sandwiches or even baked into pastries for an extra kick!
15. Monterey Jack
This is a great option for those who love the sweet and savory combination of fig and cheese.
The salty, creamy taste of Monterey Jack pairs well with the sweetness of figs, making it an excellent choice for a cheese board or snack spread.
How to Choose What Cheese to Serve with Fig Jam
Here are my top tips for selecting the perfect cheese for your fig jam:
- The first step is to choose a variety of figs, as different types of fig will have different flavor profiles. For example, if you want a mild cheese that will complement the sweet figs, you might try a brie or even a goat cheese. If you’re going for something richer, try something like gorgonzola or blue cheese.
- Next, think about how much you’d like to add additional ingredients or flavors to your dish—I recommend keeping it simple when pairing with jam! If you want to add some extra sweetness and texture to your dish, try adding some honey or raisins as well—but make sure these additions don’t overpower the flavor of the main ingredient (i.e., don’t add too many).
- Finally, think about texture! Try using two types of cheese in one dish so that they each provide different textures and tastes: one creamy and smooth (like ricotta) and another crumbly (like feta).
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Ingredients
- Goat Cheese
- Cheddar
- Brie
- Blue Cheese
- Camembert
- Gruyere
- Feta
- Gouda
- Havarti
- Mozzarella
- Colby Jack
- Edam
- Parmesan
- Swiss
- Monterey Jack
Instructions
- Pick any cheese from this list to serve with your delicious jam.
- Prepare the rest of your meal.
- Get ready to munch in no time!