Fig Jam and Cheese: 13 Unbeatable Pairings to Try

Hey you, cheese lover!

Yep, we’re looking right at you.

If you love cheese as much as we do, and really, you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t, then you’re going to go crazy when you pair the delightful taste of fig jam with it!

Never had it?

Well, fig jam is a spread that’s made from, you guessed it, figs! It has a unique sweet and savory flavor that is difficult to compare to any other fruit jam.

The flavor can be described as complex, with notes of caramel, honey, and a hint of nuttiness. This flavor profile makes it ideal for pairing with a creamy, tangy, or sharp cheese.

We’ll cover a range of cheese types, from soft and spreadable to hard and crumbly. It doesn’t matter if you’re hosting a party or just looking for a delicious snack, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in this article.

So, whether you’re a cheese connoisseur or a fig jam fanatic, read on to discover some of the best cheese and fig jam pairings.

You might just find a new favorite combination to add to your cheese board or snack platter!

Hard Cheeses

Hard cheeses are perfect for pairing with fig jam. Their nutty and salty flavors complement the sweetness of the figs. Here are a few aged hard cheeses to consider:

Aged Cheddar

Aged cheddar is a classic cheese that pairs well with fig jam.

Its sharp, tangy flavor and crumbly texture make it a perfect match for the sweetness of the fig jam. The longer the cheddar is aged, the sharper and more complex its flavor becomes.

Try pairing fig jam with a 2-year or 3-year aged cheddar for the best flavor combination.

For a delicious way to enjoy this combo, serve it with some toasted baguette slices. The bread’s crispy texture and neutral flavor will complement the cheese and jam, creating a well-rounded taste experience.

Aged Gouda

Aged gouda is a Dutch cheese that is known for its caramel-like flavor and crunchy texture.

The aging process gives it a nutty flavor that pairs well with fig jam. The sweetness of the fig jam brings out the nuttiness of the cheese, making it a perfect pairing. 

To enhance the taste experience of the aged gouda and fig jam pairing, consider adding sliced pears to the plate. The pears’ juicy and refreshing taste will complement the rich and nutty flavors of the cheese and jam, bringing a perfect balance to the palate.

Parmigiano-Reggiano

Parmigiano-Reggiano, also known as parmesan, is an Italian cheese that is known for its sharp, nutty flavor.

It’s a hard cheese that is perfect for grating over pasta or salads. When paired with fig jam, the saltiness of the cheese brings out the sweetness of the figs.

For an excellent way to enjoy this pairing, serve with some crispy breadsticks. The breadsticks’ crunchy texture and savory flavor will harmonize well with the cheese and jam, providing a well-rounded taste experience.

Pecorino Romano

Pecorino Romano, an Italian cheese made from sheep’s milk, boasts a sharp and salty flavor that pairs perfectly with fig jam. The cheese’s saltiness complements the jam’s sweetness, resulting in a well-balanced taste experience.

For a delicious way to serve this pairing, consider adding some walnuts to the mix. The walnuts’ crunchy texture and nutty flavor will provide a lovely contrast to the cheese and jam, creating a multi-layered taste experience.

Cheese	Flavor Profile	Texture	Serving Suggestion
Aged Cheddar	Sharp, tangy	Crumbly	Toasted baguette slices
Aged Gouda	Nutty, caramel-like	Crunchy	Sliced pears
Parmigiano-Reggiano	Sharp, nutty	Hard, granular	Crispy breadsticks
Pecorino Romano	Sharp, salty	Hard, crumbly	Walnuts

Semi-Hard Cheeses

Fig jam pairs well with semi-hard cheeses, which have a firmer texture and a milder flavor than hard cheeses. Here are a few examples of semi-hard cheeses that go well with fig jam:

Fontina

Hailing from Italy, Fontina is a semi-hard cheese with a buttery flavor and a distinct nuttiness.

It’s a great choice for pairing with fig jam because its mild flavor won’t overpower the sweetness of the jam.

Fontina is also a good melting cheese, so it’s perfect for making grilled cheese sandwiches!

Gouda

Gouda is a semi-hard cheese from the Netherlands that has a rich, nutty flavor. It’s a versatile cheese that can be paired with many different flavors, including fig jam.

To elevate this pairing, consider serving the Gouda and fig jam with some thin slices of prosciutto.

The prosciutto’s salty and savory flavor will contrast the sweetness of the jam and balance the nuttiness of the cheese.

Gruyere

Gruyere, a Swiss cheese with a nutty and earthy flavor, is an ideal pairing for fig jam.

The cheese’s salty, sweet, and nutty taste perfectly complements the jam’s sweetness, creating a delectable flavor combination. Additionally, the cheese’s buttery notes provide an excellent contrast to the fig’s natural sweetness.

For an outstanding way to serve this pairing, try serving the Gruyere and fig jam with some sliced pumpernickel bread. The bread’s dense texture and slightly sweet flavor will complement the cheese and jam.

Cheese	Origin	Flavor Profile	Texture	Best Pairing
Fontina	Italy	Buttery, nutty	Semi-hard	Grilled cheese sandwiches
Gouda	Netherlands	Rich, nutty	Semi-hard	Thin slices of prosciutto
Gruyere	Switzerland	Nutty, earthy, sweet	Semi-hard	Sliced pumpernickel bread

Soft Cheeses

Blue Cheese

Blue cheese is a strong, pungent cheese that pairs well with the sweetness of fig jam.

The tangy flavor of blue cheese is balanced perfectly with the sweetness of the fig jam. The crumbly texture of blue cheese also adds a nice crunch to the pairing.

Some popular blue cheeses to try with fig jam include Roquefort, Cabrales, and Gorgonzola Piccante.

Brie

With its smooth texture and rich, buttery flavor, Brie is a soft and creamy cheese that perfectly complements the sweetness of fig jam. The mild flavor of the cheese is enhanced by the jam’s sweet notes, making for a deliciously harmonious pairing.

The creamy texture of Brie also helps to spread the fig jam easily.

Brie is a versatile cheese that can be served at room temperature or baked in the oven until it’s warm and gooey.

Try spreading some fig jam on top of a warm Brie wheel for a delicious appetizer.

Serve it with some crackers, sliced apples, or toasted baguette for a perfect start to any meal or gathering.

Camembert

Camembert is a soft, creamy cheese that has a similar flavor and texture to Brie.

It pairs well with fig jam because the sweetness of the jam complements the mild flavor of the cheese. The creamy texture of Camembert also helps to spread the fig jam easily.

Camembert is a great cheese to serve as an appetizer. Try baking a Camembert wheel until it’s warm and gooey, then top it with fig jam and serve it with crackers or bread.

Chevre

Chevre, a type of French goat cheese, is a tangy and creamy cheese that beautifully pairs with the sweetness of fig jam.

The cheese’s tangy flavor perfectly balances the jam’s sweetness, creating a delightful taste experience. 

Chevre is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed at room temperature or baked until it’s warm and gooey. Serve it with some crispy crackers or crusty bread to complete the dish. 

Cream Cheese

Cream cheese is a soft, spreadable cheese that has a mild flavor and a smooth texture. It pairs well with fig jam because the sweetness of the jam complements the mild flavor of the cheese. 

Cream cheese is a great cheese to serve as a spread for bagels or crackers. Try mixing some fig jam into the cream cheese for a delicious and easy breakfast spread.

Goat Cheese

Goat cheese is a tangy, creamy cheese that pairs well with the sweetness of fig jam.

Goat cheese has a tangy flavor that perfectly balances with the sweetness of fig jam, creating a delightful taste experience. This versatile cheese can be served at room temperature or baked in the oven until it’s warm and gooey, making it a delicious addition to any dish.

Try spreading some fig jam on top of a warm goat cheese log for a delicious appetizer.

Cheese	Flavor and Texture	Pairing Notes
Blue Cheese	Strong and pungent, crumbly texture	Perfect pairing with sweetness of fig jam, adds crunch to pairing
Brie	Smooth and creamy, rich and buttery flavor	Mild flavor complements sweetness of fig jam, creamy texture helps spread jam easily
Camembert	Soft and creamy, similar to Brie	Sweetness of jam complements mild flavor of cheese, creamy texture helps spread jam easily
Chevre	Tangy and creamy	Perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors, versatile cheese that can be served at room temperature or baked
Cream Cheese	Mild flavor and smooth texture	Sweetness of jam complements mild flavor, great spread for bagels or crackers
Goat Cheese	Tangy and creamy	Tangy flavor balances with sweetness of fig jam, versatile cheese that can be served at room temperature or baked

How to Serve Cheese and Fig Jam

Fig jam and cheese is a classic pairing that can be enjoyed in many ways. Here are a few suggestions on how to serve them:

• Charcuterie Board: Arrange a variety of cheeses, cured meats, crackers, and fig jam on a board for a delicious and visually appealing appetizer.
• Crostini: Spread fig jam on toasted baguette slices and top with your favorite cheese, such as goat cheese or brie.
• Grilled Cheese: Add a dollop of fig jam to your grilled cheese sandwich for a sweet and savory twist.
• Pizza: Spread fig jam on your pizza crust and top with your favorite cheese and toppings for a unique and tasty pizza.

Experiment with different cheeses and fig jams to find your favorite combination. And don’t be afraid to get creative with how you serve them!