The 7 Best Cheeses for Any Type of Burger

To some, a burger is naked without its cheese topper. But what cheese is the best to use when making a cheeseburger? The world of cheese is vast, funky, and melty, and when it comes to adding cheese atop a perfectly grilled burger, you want that dairy addition to hit just right. Whether you’re looking for something gooey and mild, or firmer and a bit more decadent, so many cheeses work well on various types of burgers, be it beef, turkey, or plant-based. Here are the best cheeses to melt atop your favorite burgers. Feeling adventurous? There’s no rule saying you can’t layer your cheeses: Swiss, American, and Cheddar cheeseburgers coming right up!

When it comes to selecting the best cheese for burgers, it’s important to consider, among other factors, meltability and flavor. Here are our favorites!

American Cheese

A classic for a reason, American cheese is always a fantastic burger topper. It’s gooey, creamy, and melts easily, making it ideal for a thin burger that can use a nice coating. Kraft Singles are individually wrapped, which is convenient for a barbecue (just pop them in a cooler) and the neutral flavor of American cheese means that it blends in with pretty much every type of burger—veggie, turkey, salmon—they’re all good. American cheese’s gooeyness also makes it a valuable asset to a stack of burgers, holding each patty together in a double or triple cheeseburger.  

Cheddar Cheese

Another classic, cheddar comes in seemingly endless varieties, so you can really tailor your cheddar choice to your burger. A dry-aged beef burger may pair nicely with extra sharp cheddar, whereas a more mild burger, like a turkey burger, can go nicely with white cheddar or mild cheddar. Cheddar can take a bit longer to melt, so make sure to add it to the burger a few minutes before you want to take it off the heat. Cheddar also builds nicely on savory flavors, and goes well with toppings like grilled onions or a fried egg.  

Swiss Cheese

Also called Emmental cheese, Swiss cheese is a great choice for cheeseburgers. Ultra thin or lacy swiss can layer nicely or provide just a slight layer of cheese for those who really want to taste the meat. Its mild, slightly nutty flavor also allows the burger and toppings to shine, but adds that nice creaminess you crave in a cheeseburger. Swiss cheese is a great addition to burgers with a lot of flavor, like black bean burgers or seasoned chicken burgers, because its neutral flavor will meld with what’s already on the grill. 

Goat Cheese 

Goat cheese may seem like an odd choice for burgers, but hear us out. It slices easily (or crumbles) and can be used as a spread if you don’t want to melt it on the burger. It’s also nicely sweet, which compliments toppings like ketchup, mushrooms, and tomato, and tangy, which is lovely with mustard and a pickle. It’s fatty and creamy, meaning it adds body to veggie burgers, black bean burgers, lamb burgers, or any lean burger that could use a bit of extra richness. For a fun twist, try flavored goat cheese, like herbed goat cheese or truffle goat cheese, to add a bit of gourmet flavor to your cheeseburger. 

Bleu Cheese

Add some funkiness to your burger with bleu cheese! A fun addition to hearty burgers, like traditional beef or an Impossible burger, crumbled bleu cheese or sliced stilton can add a nice tang to each bite. It melts nicely and isn’t too gooey, making it nice fodder for crisp toppings and sweet or spicy sauces.  

Provolone

Is a burger a sandwich? This classic Italian sandwich cheese may prove that it is. Its mellow flavor and easy meltability belongs on truly any burger, and can be a fun companion to meaty toppings like bacon. Provolone also goes well with any veggie burger, and is mild enough that it can be layered for a grilled cheese-like effect. 

Brie 

It’s a little out of the box, but folks who top their burgers with Brie may never go back. It’s super gooey, creamy, and decadent, and while it can go on any burger, Brie can be best suited to a leaner burger, as to not overpower the fattiness of the cheeseburger. Try Brie on a chicken burger, or a turkey burger with cranberry sauce. Brie also pairs nicely with figs, pork, and alternative, softer greens, like Boston lettuce or spring lettuce blends.