Blue Cheese Recipes

What Is Blue Cheese?

Blue cheese is a family of cheeses made using cultures of Penicillium mold, which create the recognizable blue or green veins and distinctive flavor. Depending on the variety and aging process, blue cheese can be soft and creamy, firm and crumbly, mild and buttery, or sharp and salty.

The blue veining is intentionally developed during cheesemaking and is a normal characteristic of the cheese. Small openings are often created in the cheese to allow oxygen to circulate and help the cultures develop.

Popular Types of Blue Cheese

Blue cheeses vary widely in flavor, texture, and intensity. Some of the most popular varieties include:

• Gorgonzola – an Italian blue cheese that can range from soft and creamy to firm and sharp.
• Roquefort – a tangy French blue cheese traditionally made from sheep’s milk.
• Stilton – a rich and crumbly English blue cheese with a strong, savory flavor.
• Danish Blue – a creamy yet crumbly cheese with a noticeable salty and sharp taste.
• Maytag Blue – an American blue cheese known for its dense, crumbly texture and bold flavor.

How to Use Blue Cheese

Blue cheese can be crumbled over salads, burgers, steaks, roasted vegetables, baked potatoes, and flatbreads. It can also be blended into salad dressing, stirred into creamy pasta sauce, added to dips, or served with crackers and fruit.

Because blue cheese has a strong flavor, begin with a small amount and add more as needed. Allowing it to sit at room temperature briefly before serving can soften its texture and make its flavor more noticeable, but do not leave it unrefrigerated for extended periods.

What Goes Well With Blue Cheese?

Blue cheese pairs well with sweet, savory, and slightly bitter ingredients. Popular pairings include pears, apples, grapes, figs, walnuts, pecans, honey, caramelized onions, bacon, beef, chicken, and leafy greens.

For a creamy sauce or dip, combine blue cheese with cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, or heavy cream. Its bold flavor can also balance sweet ingredients in salads, appetizers, and cheese boards.

Blue Cheese Substitutes

The best substitute depends on how blue cheese is used in the recipe:

• Use Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Stilton, or Danish Blue interchangeably when a similar bold flavor is needed.
• Use feta cheese for a salty, crumbly texture without the characteristic blue-cheese flavor.
• Use goat cheese for a soft texture and tangy flavor.
• Use sharp cheddar cheese when a firm, flavorful cheese is preferred.
• Use a suitable dairy-free alternative when preparing a plant-based dish.

Substitutions will change the flavor of the finished dish because blue cheese has a unique aroma and tanginess. Adjust the quantity according to the strength and saltiness of the replacement.

How to Store Blue Cheese

Keep blue cheese refrigerated and follow the storage instructions on its package. After opening, wrap it in cheese paper, parchment paper, or wax paper, and then place it in a loosely sealed food-safe container. This helps prevent the cheese from drying out while limiting the transfer of its strong aroma to other foods.

Use a clean utensil each time you cut or crumble the cheese. Although blue or green veins are normal, discard the cheese if it develops unexpected pink, red, black, or fuzzy growth, an unusually slimy texture, or a strongly unpleasant odor that differs from its normal aroma.

Blue cheese can be frozen for use in cooked dishes, but freezing may make it more crumbly and alter its creamy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the mold in blue cheese safe to eat?

The blue or green cultures used to make commercially produced blue cheese are intentionally added during cheesemaking and are part of the finished product. However, discard the cheese if it develops unusual colors, textures, or signs of spoilage.

What does blue cheese taste like?

Blue cheese generally has a tangy, salty, earthy, and savory flavor. The intensity varies by variety: some blue cheeses are mild and creamy, while others are sharp, crumbly, and strongly flavored.

Can blue cheese be melted?

Yes. Blue cheese melts easily into sauces, dips, soups, pasta, burgers, and steak toppings. Heat it gently and combine it with cream, milk, or butter when making a smooth sauce.

Can blue cheese be frozen?

Yes, but freezing can change its texture and make it more crumbly. Frozen and thawed blue cheese is best used in cooked dishes, sauces, dressings, and dips rather than served on its own.

Is blue cheese gluten-free?

Many plain blue cheeses do not contain gluten ingredients, but recipes and manufacturing practices vary. Check the package for a certified gluten-free label if you need to avoid gluten because of celiac disease or another medical condition.

How can I make blue cheese taste milder?

Combine a small amount of blue cheese with milder ingredients such as cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, butter, or heavy cream. Sweet ingredients such as honey, pears, apples, or figs can also balance its sharp and salty flavor.