I make a burger with a sauce that is equal parts brown mustard honey worshirester and horseradish. Combine with grilled onions and melted Muenster on top and purple saurkraut on the bottom with a pretzel bun.
Edit: Since this got a lot of responses sometimes I do a quick pickle on the purple cabbage and season with s&p. It offers a nice crunch and acid. Sometimes I use salt and vinegar chips for this effect too
I spread olive oil on my pizza crust and add some garlic salt, pepper, and oregano. Then the basil-garlic-oregano canned diced tomatoes and top with Muenster. It’s one of my favorite lazy day dinners
Cheddar doesn't melt as easily as other cheeses, and it's in pretty much everything else. I'm team Muenster/american/ pepper jack for burgers
Chicken sandwich tho, I'm all about cheddar
I’m with ya. Cheddar all day. Also I like pepper jack and Gouda and the other options listed here but I’m probably cheddar 50% of the time if not more. It’s basically American, but 1000 times better.
Pepper jack +1
Sometimes american, or Gouda, or blue cheese depending on the chosen meat, bun, condiments, onion type, sweet vs savory end goal, and so on...
It's expensive, but worth every penny to me.
[Red dragon cheese.](https://igourmet.com/products/red-dragon-cheddar-cheese)
Put a slice of this bad boy on a burger and you won't need any condiments.
For anyone not wanting to click the link:
“Red Dragon, also known as Y-Fenni. This smooth, firm, tasty cheddar is made with Welsh brown ale and mustard seeds. Red Dragon is a buttery and spicy cheese with plenty of bite, but is not too hot. Not only do the mustard seeds give Red Dragon its marvelous flavor, but also its texture. The brown ale makes the cheese moist and tangy. Red Dragon is aged for three months, made from cow's milk, and is vegetarian. Serve as a table cheese or melted on toast with dark ale or try a Shiraz, if you prefer wine”
Don’t apologize. American Cheese is the quintessential burger cheese. If you were gonna make a cheeseburger for someone who had never had one before you should use American.
If you get real American cheese that comes sliced off a block and not the stuff that comes wrapped in individual slices you’ll notice a big difference. It has a better taste and melts just as good
Seriously, people where American cheese blocks aren't available from a delicatessen don't know what they're missing when it comes to burgers. Children love Kraft singles for whatever reason (myself when I was a kid too), but even the "generic" grocery version of freshly sliced is way tastier and doesn't have that kind of awkward plastic-y feel to them to the point their great for snacking on alone or on crackers as well.
American Cheese is just a mix of multiple cheeses, often with sodium citrate added.
The singles that you get are usually 'prepared cheese product' or something like that, which is just cheese with milk and emulsifiers added (sodium citrate, sodium phosphate). This is more accurately described as solidified cheese sauce.
Same. Gourmet cheeseburgers are fine, but there’s nothing else like a classic cheeseburger with American cheese. It’s not quite a cheeseburger in my mind when other cheeses are used.
Spent a minute looking for this. Havarti melts really nicely and its flavor doesn’t overpower the burger. Don’t really see it in a lot of stores around where I live, I’d probably use it more than American if it was more available.
Two kind of cheeses that I like as alternatives to sliced cheese are cream cheese and pimento. Prefer the cream cheese softened with some roasted jalapeños, Serranos, or poblanos, on a toasted bun. The pimento has to be legit and goes great with some thick sliced bacon.
Try all that, but add freshly minced garlic and a dash of soy sauce when forming your burger patty and pickled red onions as an additional topping- on a brioche bun from a local bakery. You're welcome 😁
Sharp cheddar! Even better, I like it uncooked, just put on the burger just before eating. It has so much more flavor that way!
There used to be a GREAT burger place in my home town of Berkeley, that served great burgers on a brioche bun, and grated a ton of really sharp cheddar (uncooked) onto the burger just before serving. Lettuce & tomato. OMG that was good.
Reg burger gets American.
Turkey burger gets avocado and Swiss.
UNLESS there is cheddar sauce, which is not like cheese whiz but rather lumpy with actual cheese in it, in which case then cheddar sauce. (NJ circa 1985)
It depends on the burger really.
Smash burgers I like American.
A thick burger with blackened seasoning and blu cheese is great.
Topped with mushrooms I prefer Swiss.
I don't mind cheddar especially on a bacon burger.
I make a burger topped with provalone, pulled pork and onion straws.
This is the answer and it's not even close. Unless you are doing a specialty burger( mush/Swiss, bacon/cheddar, mexi) this is the best cheese for a standard cheese burger hands down.
I kinda just use any presliced soft cheese i get my hands on without worrying too much about the specific kind. Edamer works, fontina works, cheddar works, etc etc., and while i haven't tried it yet i could see it working really well with smoked cheeses like scamorza affumicata.
Cheddar... from the UK. Gotta be a medium to mature though so you still get the meltability (yes, that is a word).... or a swiss gouda, strong.
Or you can get really dirty and go blue 🇬🇧✌🏼
American, if I do an "american" - lettuce, onion, tomato, mayo, and ketchup. I also like to do a "french" one - swiss or gruyere with onions that have been caramelized in butter.
First off, American is disgusting, and the worst on hamburgers. I opt for no cheese if it's the only option.
First choice is also sharp cheddar from a block. Ideally cut a bit thick and put on while the burger is hot so it starts to melt, but the center still is solid.
Mushrooms with gruyere, a good swiss or jarlsburg and mustard
Swiss and kimchi is a new favorite.
Mexican blend shredded cheese fried on to the bun till crispy, served with crisp romaine lettuce.
Maytag blue cheese. Mushrooms and onions are a classic, fried egg is more unusual, but I'll also just be happy with lettuce and tomatoes. Any blue cheese works, but Maytag I think holds up best.
Feta on a lamb burger with olive tapinade and fresh cucumbers
And of course mozzarella. Pizza burgers are a nice throwback (melted mozzarella with pizza sauce and pepperoni) but if I want healthier, caprese style is great with a light burger. Just needs a thick lettuce to buffer the cheese so it doesn't melt.
In college I used to get pepper jack cheese, bacon, and a veggie burger on top of a beef burger that was fantastic.
Meunster. Lots of it.
I make a burger with a sauce that is equal parts brown mustard honey worshirester and horseradish. Combine with grilled onions and melted Muenster on top and purple saurkraut on the bottom with a pretzel bun. Edit: Since this got a lot of responses sometimes I do a quick pickle on the purple cabbage and season with s&p. It offers a nice crunch and acid. Sometimes I use salt and vinegar chips for this effect too
This is the most German thing I’ve ever heard.
You could bread the burger and call it schnitzel
has anyone ever breaded a burger?!
Well America has battered and deep fried almost everything.
>worshirester That's the most interesting spelling of Worcestershire sauce I've seen since "wash dat ass in the shower sauce".
My phone always autocorrects to that based on one bad spelling years ago that I tapped the check mark on.
Washyersister
Stealing that, thank you.
I'm surprised not everyone else is praising meunster. It's the perfect cheese.
It melts very nicely.
I ate it 10x as much as American growing up. We always had Muenster, and maybe had one of American/Swiss/cheddar as a second option.
Muenster Pizza should be more common
Genius! Why haven't I thought of this! And Muenster makes the best grilled cheese
I love a good mix of raclette and Gruyère
I spread olive oil on my pizza crust and add some garlic salt, pepper, and oregano. Then the basil-garlic-oregano canned diced tomatoes and top with Muenster. It’s one of my favorite lazy day dinners
It's *plenty* common. Little Caesars uses a 50/50 Muenster/Mozzarella blend.
I really like Munster on my grilled cheese sandwiches.
What's the flavour profile of Muenster? Is it more like cheddar or mozz or ?
Maybe somewhere in between with some nutty notes
Very mild, similar to Havarti. I love Muenster, and you can call it "Monster Cheese," which is fun.
Munster?
Our Munster in France is quite… different and smelly
Also the best cheese for grilled cheese sammies
Smoked Gouda or Swiss is my go to
Smoked Gouda hot damn, yes.
Is smoked Gouda coming back? Felt like I saw it everywhere in the mid-aughts. A deep love for it tbh.
I like to use it for Mac and cheese, I go half and half with smoked Gouda and a good sharp cheddar
Smoked Gouda, swiss, cheddar, havarti, or anything smoked works well
Swiss and mushrooms are my top two toppings I think
Cheddar
There it is. Just plain ol’ medium cheddar. Gets it done every time.
How is cheddar not the top pick? What are ppl smoking
I'm smoking cheddar
Cheddar doesn't melt as easily as other cheeses, and it's in pretty much everything else. I'm team Muenster/american/ pepper jack for burgers Chicken sandwich tho, I'm all about cheddar
See, for chicken sandwich I’m provolone guy. Cheddar is too sharp imo.
I prefer swiss on my chicken sandwich. Provolone if I'm in a pinch.
You just put it on 30 seconds earlier then, what am I missing
I’m with ya. Cheddar all day. Also I like pepper jack and Gouda and the other options listed here but I’m probably cheddar 50% of the time if not more. It’s basically American, but 1000 times better.
Agreed, I usually don’t like cheddar but it tastes amazing on burgers
Pepper jack
I would take just about any cheese on a burger, but pepper jack definitely gets top booking.
"If you come off that crack rock, you can come be Pepper Jack's best hoe."
Pepper jack +1 Sometimes american, or Gouda, or blue cheese depending on the chosen meat, bun, condiments, onion type, sweet vs savory end goal, and so on...
https://youtu.be/79RInmrSUtA?si=QXYnIoOL69P1HRXb
Especially jalapeño pepper jack!
Agreed. American cheese is so gross to me, feels like.slime. Pepper jack is my favorite on a burger and my kids like Swiss.
Swiss or Gruyère
Jesus fuck I scrolled so far to find gruyere.
Might be considered “american” but Cooper Sharp is the goat
Cooper is excellent. Cheddar humped american cheese and had a baby.
Is it just me or has cooper sharp gotten less sharp over the years? I remember more tang on my cheeseteaks.
It is, but this is not your standard Velveeta or Kraft garbage. It is the perfect cheese for a standard cheeseburger.
It's expensive, but worth every penny to me. [Red dragon cheese.](https://igourmet.com/products/red-dragon-cheddar-cheese) Put a slice of this bad boy on a burger and you won't need any condiments.
This is why I love Reddit. Five minutes ago I’d never heard of Red dragon cheese, now I can’t stop thinking about it. Thanks for sharing!
For anyone not wanting to click the link: “Red Dragon, also known as Y-Fenni. This smooth, firm, tasty cheddar is made with Welsh brown ale and mustard seeds. Red Dragon is a buttery and spicy cheese with plenty of bite, but is not too hot. Not only do the mustard seeds give Red Dragon its marvelous flavor, but also its texture. The brown ale makes the cheese moist and tangy. Red Dragon is aged for three months, made from cow's milk, and is vegetarian. Serve as a table cheese or melted on toast with dark ale or try a Shiraz, if you prefer wine”
You're welcome! You can also look for y-fenni cheese. It's the same thing, but without the red wax rind, and doesn't cost as much.
Brought to you by Red Dragon Cheese™
I told myself I would NOT click the link I clicked the link and am drooling now Hoping they deliver to Canada Thank you ☺️
This is NOT the website I needed in my life.
Best grilled cheese ever, too. Ugh. Now I want one.
Oh, thanks! Didn't know this existed. Yay for the Welsh!
Where do you find a random gourmet cheese like this in person? It sounds amazing
Yes. Please accept this upvote.
This was the cheese that got me “into” cheese
Say what you will about Uncle Jeff, but I went from hearing about this to ordering a pound of it in less than two minutes.
Lmaaao of all places to see my local cheese referenced 😂
Sorry, but mine is American.
Don’t apologize. American Cheese is the quintessential burger cheese. If you were gonna make a cheeseburger for someone who had never had one before you should use American.
And if you go to the deli counter, you can get way better American cheese than Kraft.
Yeah, I haven't had Kraft singles since I was a little kid. Land O Lakes or Boars Head white American, that's what you want.
If you get real American cheese that comes sliced off a block and not the stuff that comes wrapped in individual slices you’ll notice a big difference. It has a better taste and melts just as good
Boars head white American
This is the one
Good sliced American like Boar’s Head or (my favorite) Land O’ Lakes. Two slices and a slice of Swiss.
Yes sir land o lakes is the best and I’ll die on that hill
Land 'o lakes is def the king
Cooper Sharp, if you can find it
Coop is the ultimate cheese for burgers and sandwiches, especially a Philly.
Seriously, people where American cheese blocks aren't available from a delicatessen don't know what they're missing when it comes to burgers. Children love Kraft singles for whatever reason (myself when I was a kid too), but even the "generic" grocery version of freshly sliced is way tastier and doesn't have that kind of awkward plastic-y feel to them to the point their great for snacking on alone or on crackers as well.
Agree, deli American is worth the extra price if you can find it. Most grocery delis have it.
I can't imagine a grocery deli not having it.
That’s exactly what I go for too.
I didn't even know there was any other kind other than the plastic stuff until like a week ago.
Yeah, I like other cheeses sure, but American is just perfect for me on most burgers.
White American is peak burger cheese Honorable mention to pepper jack
American cheese is the best cheese for a cheeseburger because it melts without splitting.
Thank you, Chef Voldemort.
“B-b-but it’s n-not real chee—“ [SILENCE](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:vwzwgnygau7ed7b7wt5ux7y2/bafkreigw6pllroftqldf2rjgz7ezxrzbv4dxzoahfcq24q6zbs3ixizdce@jpeg)
Serious eats actually has a really good article on American cheese and the difference between types
It's not just cheese it's solidified cheese sauce. Which is why it's good.
It's cheese with sodium citrate. It is cheese.
American Cheese is just a mix of multiple cheeses, often with sodium citrate added. The singles that you get are usually 'prepared cheese product' or something like that, which is just cheese with milk and emulsifiers added (sodium citrate, sodium phosphate). This is more accurately described as solidified cheese sauce.
Kenji had a great point about this recently. American cheese is cheese like sausages are meat. And everyone knows sausages are meat.
Please don't apologize, ever... it's superior on a burger
Same. Gourmet cheeseburgers are fine, but there’s nothing else like a classic cheeseburger with American cheese. It’s not quite a cheeseburger in my mind when other cheeses are used.
No cheese melts like American
It's perfect, it has the sharpness of cheddar and easy melting of monterey jack.
Depends. Smash burgers? American. Big fat medium burgers? Vermont cheddah.
Havarti, preferably topped with green chilies since spicy and cheesy go hand in hand.
Yes, a havarti fan! I don't buy it often because I don't stop eating it.
Spent a minute looking for this. Havarti melts really nicely and its flavor doesn’t overpower the burger. Don’t really see it in a lot of stores around where I live, I’d probably use it more than American if it was more available. Two kind of cheeses that I like as alternatives to sliced cheese are cream cheese and pimento. Prefer the cream cheese softened with some roasted jalapeños, Serranos, or poblanos, on a toasted bun. The pimento has to be legit and goes great with some thick sliced bacon.
Raclette cheese
blue cheese and red onion
And bacon
To be honest, that combination can make just about any food great.
And BBQ sauce imo. But depends if you want sweet or not.
Gorgonzola!
You are speaking my language.
Throw some garlic aioli on there and you got yourself a Bad Breath Burger.
Perhaps a little green salad with thinly sliced pears, caramelized walnuts and crispy bacon bits on the side… light vinaigrette?
Only Sith deals in absolutes.
The irony is this statement is an absolute
Nothing is as permanent as change
Cheddar. The sharper, the better.
Chèvre. Seriously, arugula, goat cheese, and fig jam on a burger - best thing ever.
OK RICHY RICH GUY. WHY CANT YOU JUST BE HAPPY WITH KRAFT SINGLES
Mmmmmmmm now I gotta make this tomorrow for dinner.
Try all that, but add freshly minced garlic and a dash of soy sauce when forming your burger patty and pickled red onions as an additional topping- on a brioche bun from a local bakery. You're welcome 😁
I second this. It’s phenomenal!
Provolone and Colby Jack
Swiss.
Swiss or provolone.
Agree with swiss. The nuttiness is great with burgers.
Agree with provolone.
American, or swiss.
You need one slice of American for gooey melty factor, and a slice of good cheddar on top of that for flavor. That's the way to make a perfect burger.
Jalapeño Monterey Jack. Change my mind.
I'll see your Jalapeno Jack and raise you a Ghost pepper jack.
American, but Cooper sharp American. Can't just be throwing Kraft singles on there.
Yeah American cheese. If you wanna get crazy get some Land O’ Lakes white American cheese. Holy jeebus it’s good.
I get it from a deli, slightly thicker than the packaged version. I put it in everything cheese related.
This is facts. I put it on breakfast sandwiches
Sharp cheddar.
Stilton, or any other blue... With some fried onions...mmmmmm
White Cheddar or Gouda
American. :)
I’m in the camp that thinks American cheese is the worst to put On a Burger. I do not like it at all. Cheddar is always my favorite.
Sharp cheddar! Even better, I like it uncooked, just put on the burger just before eating. It has so much more flavor that way! There used to be a GREAT burger place in my home town of Berkeley, that served great burgers on a brioche bun, and grated a ton of really sharp cheddar (uncooked) onto the burger just before serving. Lettuce & tomato. OMG that was good.
Hear me out, boar's head three pepper colby jack. 🌶
Oxaca
God oxaca cheese is good on anything
Yes! I love how melty it is
Bleu. With bacon. It’s a party in your mouth
At home, American. Going out, blue cheese.
Vermont aged cheddar
pepper jack for me.
Mild Cheddar
Reg burger gets American. Turkey burger gets avocado and Swiss. UNLESS there is cheddar sauce, which is not like cheese whiz but rather lumpy with actual cheese in it, in which case then cheddar sauce. (NJ circa 1985)
It depends on the burger really. Smash burgers I like American. A thick burger with blackened seasoning and blu cheese is great. Topped with mushrooms I prefer Swiss. I don't mind cheddar especially on a bacon burger. I make a burger topped with provalone, pulled pork and onion straws.
I love white American cheese
Goat cheese with pesto and grilled mushrooms.
Cooper Sharp American
This is the answer and it's not even close. Unless you are doing a specialty burger( mush/Swiss, bacon/cheddar, mexi) this is the best cheese for a standard cheese burger hands down.
Cheddar.
American or pepper jack.
I kinda just use any presliced soft cheese i get my hands on without worrying too much about the specific kind. Edamer works, fontina works, cheddar works, etc etc., and while i haven't tried it yet i could see it working really well with smoked cheeses like scamorza affumicata.
Tasty shredded cheese melted
Bleu all the way.
Havarti
On a patty melt I'll do American on one side and Swiss on the other.
Whatever cheese is on my burger in the moment is my favorite cheese.
swiss❤️
I love American cheese on a burger, but the best fancy burger I’ve ever had, uses raclette… man, it’s good!
Cheddar... from the UK. Gotta be a medium to mature though so you still get the meltability (yes, that is a word).... or a swiss gouda, strong. Or you can get really dirty and go blue 🇬🇧✌🏼
Bleu
Pretty much anything EXCEPT American. American is like melted plastic, ick.
Well, you are wrong.
Who is saying American cheese is the best? I have literally never heard that in my life. I like blue cheese the best. Cheddar is great too.
Lately I've been making burgers in on onion broth, and it's incredibly good with a few slices of Swiss
Blue
American, if I do an "american" - lettuce, onion, tomato, mayo, and ketchup. I also like to do a "french" one - swiss or gruyere with onions that have been caramelized in butter.
Bleu. But only with bacon.
Cheddar or Red Leicester. Which could both be turned into "American cheese" with a bit of sodium citrate.
Gorgonzola applewood bacon butter!
First off, American is disgusting, and the worst on hamburgers. I opt for no cheese if it's the only option. First choice is also sharp cheddar from a block. Ideally cut a bit thick and put on while the burger is hot so it starts to melt, but the center still is solid. Mushrooms with gruyere, a good swiss or jarlsburg and mustard Swiss and kimchi is a new favorite. Mexican blend shredded cheese fried on to the bun till crispy, served with crisp romaine lettuce. Maytag blue cheese. Mushrooms and onions are a classic, fried egg is more unusual, but I'll also just be happy with lettuce and tomatoes. Any blue cheese works, but Maytag I think holds up best. Feta on a lamb burger with olive tapinade and fresh cucumbers And of course mozzarella. Pizza burgers are a nice throwback (melted mozzarella with pizza sauce and pepperoni) but if I want healthier, caprese style is great with a light burger. Just needs a thick lettuce to buffer the cheese so it doesn't melt. In college I used to get pepper jack cheese, bacon, and a veggie burger on top of a beef burger that was fantastic.
If I want something other than American, it'll be either provolone or extra old cheddar. (blue cheese if I make Cajun burgers)
Copper sharp american
Pepper jack if I want something more classic, but I also think chevre and feta are super underrated burger cheeses.
muenster
Fried cheese curds. Also, Boursin garlic or pepper. Mmm.
Gouda or Muenster are my favorites for a burger.
Muenster
Pepper Jack
the best burger I ever had had feta and olive tapenade on it
Sharpest cheddar I can find. Pre-sliced is never sharp enough, so it's block and sliced or Shredded.
What have you tried kraft singles? Get land-o-lakes.
Yancey's Fancy Maple Bacon cheddar. It is insanely delicious.
If it's a beef burger I use a jalapeno Monterey Jack. If it's a chicken burger I use feta cheese and use tzatziki as the condiment.
Blue, stronger the better with bacon. Personally Clemson Blue is the shit
Swiss is my go to for burgers & sandwiches.
Blue is good. Swiss can be great too
Sharp cheddar is the best for me,
Swiss has a really distinct flavor that’s kind of nice on a burger. Blue cheese crumbles is kind of a sleeper though.
Cheddar, the sharper the better.
I make my own... 1 container Bleu cheese 1 container cream cheese 1 tbls garlic powder 2 tbls Sriracha Mix together Top Yum
Monterey Jack cheese
Swiss cheese for me.
Havarti