Cheese And Bbq Sauce: A Match Made In Heaven?

what cheese goes with bbq sauce

BBQ sauce and cheese are a popular combination, with many recipes online for sandwiches, burgers, and pulled pork. But what are the best cheeses to use with BBQ sauce?

Characteristics Values
Cheese Sharp Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Colby, Colby Jack, Havarti, Smoked Gouda
Meat Chicken, Pulled Pork
Bread Sourdough, White, Italian White
Other ingredients Butter, Margarine, Mayo, Onion, Red Onion, Cilantro, Paprika, Worcestershire Sauce, Garlic, Parsley

shungrill

BBQ pulled pork with cheddar cheese

A classic combination of BBQ pulled pork and cheddar cheese is a match made in heaven. The sharpness of the cheddar perfectly complements the sweetness and tanginess of the BBQ sauce, resulting in a flavourful and indulgent dish. This versatile pairing can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, from sandwiches to baked potatoes, and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering.

Ingredients

  • Pulled pork
  • BBQ sauce
  • Sharp cheddar cheese
  • Bread (brioche, panini, or your preference)
  • Onion straws/crispy onions
  • Mayonnaise
  • Olive oil
  • Garlic
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Optional Ingredients

  • Coleslaw
  • Hot sauce
  • Spicy barbecue sauce
  • Pickles

Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Pulled Pork

Start by preparing the pulled pork. You can use a slow cooker, oven, or crockpot to cook a pork shoulder or butt coated with a dry rub and onions. Once the pork is tender, shred it using forks or meat claws. Return the shredded pork to the cooker, adding some reserved juices and onions.

Step 2: Add BBQ Sauce and Cheese

Stir in your favourite barbecue sauce and sharp cheddar cheese. Cover and cook for a further 15 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt into the warm pulled pork. If needed, return to high heat for a few minutes to ensure the cheese is melted.

Step 3: Assemble the Sandwich

For a sandwich, spread mayonnaise on the outside of brioche, panini, or your chosen bread. Layer with sliced cheese, pulled pork, BBQ sauce, crispy onions, and another slice of cheese. Toast the sandwiches in batches in a skillet over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes per side until browned to your liking.

Serving Suggestions

This BBQ pulled pork with cheddar cheese can be served in a variety of ways:

  • Sandwiches: Pile the cheesy pulled pork onto buns and add a scoop of coleslaw for a creamy contrast.
  • Baked Potatoes: Stuff the pulled pork into baked potatoes with toppings.
  • Nachos: Use it as a topping for nachos.
  • Tacos and Taquitos: Use it as a filling for tacos or taquitos.
  • Cheesy Poutine: Make some cheesy poutine French fries.

Customisation

Feel free to customise the dish to your taste:

  • Cheese: If you're not a fan of cheddar, try Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Colby, or Colby Jack cheese.
  • Spiciness: Add a splash of hot sauce or use a spicy barbecue sauce for some heat.
  • Sides: Serve with classic sides like onion rings, French fries, or a refreshing cucumber salad.

Enjoy this delicious and versatile BBQ pulled pork with cheddar cheese, perfect for parties, holidays, or a comforting weeknight dinner!

shungrill

Grilled cheese with BBQ sauce

A grilled cheese sandwich with BBQ sauce is a flavourful, versatile, and quick meal. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a delicious grilled cheese with BBQ sauce:

Ingredients:

  • Bread (sourdough, sturdy white bread, or Italian white bread)
  • Butter (regular or garlic butter)
  • BBQ sauce (tangy or sweet)
  • Cheese (Cheddar, Havarti, or Smoked Gouda)
  • Onion (red onion, thinly sliced)
  • Other toppings of your choice (optional)

Instructions:

  • Start by preparing your onion. In a skillet, heat some butter or garlic butter over medium heat. Add thinly sliced onion and cook until caramelized. This should take around 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
  • Choose your bread. Sourdough, sturdy white bread, or Italian white bread work well. You can also opt for a panini if you want something more indulgent.
  • Spread butter or garlic butter on the outside of each slice of bread. This will give your sandwich a crispy texture when grilled.
  • Layer cheese on the unbuttered side of one slice of bread. You can use Cheddar, Havarti, or Smoked Gouda, or a combination of these cheeses.
  • Add BBQ sauce to the same slice of bread. You can be generous with the sauce to ensure every bite is flavourful.
  • If desired, add other toppings of your choice. Caramelized onions are a great addition, as are raw red onions, cilantro, or pickles. You can also include meats like pulled pork or chicken if you're not looking for a vegetarian option.
  • Place the second slice of bread on top, with the unbuttered side facing inward.
  • Grill your sandwich in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted. This should take a few minutes.
  • If you want to ensure both sides are evenly toasted, carefully flip the sandwich over halfway through cooking and adjust the heat as needed.
  • Once your sandwich is grilled to perfection, let it sit for a minute to allow the ingredients to settle and the cheese to cool slightly.
  • Cut your sandwich in half and serve. Enjoy the perfect combination of melted cheese and BBQ sauce!

Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese and BBQ sauce to find your favourite flavour combinations. You can also try dipping your grilled cheese sandwich in BBQ sauce for an extra tangy kick.

shungrill

BBQ chicken grilled cheese sandwich

Ingredients:

  • BBQ sauce
  • Chicken
  • Cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Colby, Colby Jack, Havarti, or cream cheese)
  • Bread (white, sourdough, or crusty Italian bread)
  • Butter
  • Olive oil
  • Red onion
  • Garlic
  • Parsley
  • Cilantro
  • Mayonnaise

Optional:

  • Meat (brisket or pulled pork)
  • Onion straws/haystack onions
  • Mayo
  • Pickles

Instructions:

  • Mix butter, garlic, and parsley in a small bowl and microwave for about 30 seconds until the butter melts. You can add different spices at this stage. Set aside and let cool.
  • Mix shredded chicken with paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and BBQ sauce.
  • Slice the red onions thinly and cook them briefly in oil to soften.
  • Add the chicken mixture to the pan and cook for another 2-3 minutes, just until everything is cooked through.
  • Spread the melted butter mixture over each slice of bread.
  • Place the cheese on the non-buttered side of the bread. For an extra cheesy sandwich, add cheese to both sides of the bread.
  • Add the BBQ chicken mixture on top of the cheese.
  • Top with another slice of bread with the buttered side facing out.
  • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes on each side or until the bread is golden brown. Cover the pan during the last minute of cooking to help the cheese melt.
  • Enjoy your BBQ chicken grilled cheese sandwich!

Tips:

  • For a crispier sandwich, use a mayo/butter combo on the bread and avoid using standard white bread.
  • If you want to add meat to your sandwich, consider brisket or pulled pork.
  • You can also dip your grilled cheese sandwich in barbecue sauce or serve it with a side of barbecue sauce for dipping.

shungrill

BBQ sauce and cheese on a meatless sandwich

A meatless sandwich with BBQ sauce and cheese is a delicious and satisfying option for a quick meal. This combination offers a unique blend of flavours and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. In this guide, we will explore the ingredients and preparation methods to create a mouth-watering meatless sandwich.

Ingredients

To create this delectable sandwich, you'll need the following ingredients:

  • BBQ sauce: Choose a BBQ sauce that suits your taste, whether it's a classic, spicy, or sweet variety.
  • Cheese: Select a cheese that pairs well with BBQ sauce, such as sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Colby cheese.
  • Bread: Opt for a sturdy variety that can hold up to the sauce, like a panini or whole-wheat bread.
  • Toppings: Consider adding toppings like onion straws, haystack onions, or pickles to enhance the flavour and texture.

Preparation

Here's a step-by-step guide to preparing your meatless sandwich:

  • Bread Preparation: Spread a generous amount of butter and mayonnaise on the outside of each slice of bread. This combination will give your sandwich a perfect crisp texture.
  • Cheese Layering: Place a layer of cheese on the inside of both slices of bread. This will ensure that every bite is packed with cheesy goodness.
  • Cooking the Bread: Place both slices of bread in a pan, laying them flat and covering the pan with a lid to create a steamy environment. This step is crucial for melting the cheese evenly.
  • Toppings: Once the cheese starts to melt, it's time to add your desired toppings. Spread a generous amount of BBQ sauce over the toppings and add sliced onions, haystack onions, or pickles to elevate the flavour.
  • Assembly: When the toppings are heated through, carefully flip the slice without toppings on top of the other slice to create your sandwich. Allow it to sit for a minute so that the ingredients can meld together.
  • Toasting: Finally, toast the sandwich to your desired level of crispness. This step ensures that both sides of the sandwich are evenly toasted and golden brown.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your BBQ sauce and cheese meatless sandwich with a side of crispy fries or a refreshing salad. For an extra indulgent touch, offer a side of extra BBQ sauce for dipping. This sandwich is perfect for a casual lunch or a quick dinner and can be easily customized to suit your taste preferences.

shungrill

Cheesy BBQ pulled pork

Ingredients

  • 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups barbecue sauce, plus extra for serving
  • 3.5-4.5kg/ 5-7lb pork butt / pork shoulder, bone in, fat cap on
  • 1 cup beer, apple cider or apple juice
  • 3 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp paprika powder
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp mustard powder
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 3 cups tomato ketchup (or Aussie tomato sauce)
  • 1 cup water (or use remaining beer)
  • 3 tbsp molasses (not blackstrap)
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 4 tsp mustard powder
  • 3 tsp garlic powder
  • 4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tsp Tabasco or cayenne pepper (optional, for spiciness)

Optional

  • Buns
  • Creamy coleslaw
  • Pickled jalapeno slices
  • Softened cream cheese
  • Tortilla chips
  • Sour cream
  • Chopped green onions

Method

First, make the spice rub by mixing together the brown sugar, paprika powder, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, cumin powder, and black pepper.

Rub the spice mix all over the pork butt/shoulder. Place the pork in a slow cooker, pour over the beer, and cook on low for 10 hours.

Once cooked, transfer the pork to a roasting pan (reserving the liquid in the slow cooker) and scoop the fat off the surface of the juices. Drizzle the fat over the pork and roast in the oven at 180°C / 350°F for 20 minutes.

Remove from the oven, cut off the thick layer of fat and discard. Spoon over 1/4 cup of the fat from the slow cooker juices, then roast for a further 15 minutes.

Shred the pork using two forks. Pour over the BBQ sauce and toss gently.

Add the shredded cheddar cheese to the pork while it is still warm so that the cheese melts. If it is not warm enough, put the lid back on and turn the slow cooker to high for 15 minutes.

Serve the pulled pork on buns with a scoop of creamy coleslaw, or pile it into a baked potato with toppings. You could also add it to a taco salad, use it as a filling for tacos or taquitos, or make cheesy poutine french fries.

Tips

  • If you want to add a little spice to your dish, use Monterey Jack Cheese or Pepper Jack Cheese instead of cheddar.
  • If you want to make a dip, mix softened cream cheese and diced jalapenos in a medium bowl. Spread the mixture into a small round baking dish, top with pulled pork and BBQ sauce, then add a cup of cheddar cheese and bake in the oven.
  • If you don't want to use beer, apple cider or apple juice, you can use water as a fallback.

Frequently asked questions

Cheddar, gouda, and havarti are all popular choices to pair with BBQ sauce.

You can make a BBQ sauce and cheese sandwich, or you can try BBQ chicken grilled cheese, or cheesy BBQ pulled pork.

Some other ingredients that can be added are butter, garlic, parsley, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, chicken, red onion, cilantro, and coleslaw.

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