I was twelve the first time I tried cheese and jam together. A box of garden vegetable and herb crackers implored me to top each biscuit with a slice of cheddar cheese and strawberry jam. My eyes went wide. I couldn’t believe we had both in the fridge, bless my mother. I tried one and then I was falling over myself trying to make more. This is still one of my most formative food experiences. I learned to nurture my culinary curiosity and challenge my palette, because it’s almost always rewarding. Welcome to the world of cheese and jam. 

When pairing cheese and jam, the goal is to marry flavors that complement each other. Assertive cheeses should be paired with assertive jams so one flavor doesn’t overpower the other. The same is true for mild cheeses: pair with mild jams. Your cheese and jam pairing can be simple and elegant, topping off a cracker or crostini, or a little hardier (grilled cheese & jam is my favorite lunch). Use pairings in this blog as a guide for your cheese and jam journey.

Apple Butter 

Pair with:
  • Brie
  • English Cheddar
  • Chevre

Try a grilled turkey, brie, and apple butter sandwhich. 

Apricot Jam 

Pair with:
  • Chevre
  • Parmesan
  • White Stilton

Banana Jam 

Pair with:
  • Goat Gouda
  • Brie
  • Manchego

Blackberry Jam

Pair with:
  • Blue Stilton
  • Manchego
  • Brie
  • Camembert
  • Chevre
  • Feta

Try this recipe for baked feta with rosemary-blackberry compote. 

Black Currant Jam 

Pair with:
  • Blue Cheese
  • Feta
  • Aged Parmesan
  • Sharp Cheddar

Blueberry Jam 

Pair with:
  • Chevre
  • Manchego

Try whipped bluberry goat cheese at your next gathering. 

Cherry Preserves

Pair with:
  • Brie
  • White Cheddar
  • Cream Cheese
  • Mascarpone

Cranberry Jam/Sauce

Pair with:
  • Chevre
  • Camembert
  • Brie

This cranberry camembert pizza is sure to please. Serve as an appetizer, side, or main. 

Fig Jam 

Pair with:
  • Brie
  • Emmental
  • Mozzarella
  • Feta
  • Sharp Cheddar
  • Blue Cheese

Our recipe for brie, fig, and onion panini is a must. 

Grapefruit Marmalade

Pair with:
  • Boursin
  • Chevre
  • Cream Cheese

Lemon Curd

Pair with:
  • Ricotta
  • Mascarpone

I’ll definitely be making these ricotta pancakes with lemon curd this weekend. 

Onion Jam

Pair with:
  • Sharp Cheddar Cheese
  • Blue Cheese

Orange Marmalade

Pair with:
  • Gouda
  • Jarlsberg
  • Monterey Jack
  • Semi-Aged Pecorino

Our baked brie with orange marmalade is the easiest and most elegant party food.

Peach Jam

Pair with:
  • Chevre
  • Strong Blue Cheeses like Gorgonzola
  • Brie

Pear Preserves

Pair with:
  • Gorgonzola
  • Brie
  • Stilton

Pepper Jelly

Pair with:
  • Blue Cheese
  • Cream Cheese
  • Cheddar
  • Gouda 

Plum Jam

Pair with:
  • Chevre
  • Cream Cheese
  • Gouda/Smoked Gouda

Raspberry Jam

Pair with:
  • Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • Brie
  • Cream Cheese
  • Mascarpone 

Strawberry Jam

Pair with:
  • Chevre
  • Cream Cheese
  • Brie
  • Mascarpone
  • Asiago

Try these mascarpone strawberry jam toasts for breakfast.