Born in Denmark and perfected in Wisconsin, Havarti cheese is smooth, buttery, and deserving of a place on your cheese platter.
Anyone who has hosted a cheese tasting—or just put out a variety for guests to enjoy with other snacks—knows that you can’t please everyone. The Cheddar is too sharp, the Brie looks moldy, the blue is, well…too blue. But there’s one cheese that virtually everyone likes. It’s mild enough that the kids will go wild for it, yet interesting enough to satisfy any cheese lover. It also adds a little geographic variety to your cheese tray, as it’s likely to be the only representative of Denmark. Welcome to Havarti!
What Does Havarti Cheese Taste Like?
Havarti is smooth, with no rind, and creamy to pale yellow in color, with very small and irregular “eyes”. It has a buttery aroma, and the stronger varieties can be sharper and nuttier, on the order of Swiss cheese. The taste of Havarti cheese is buttery and mild, yet slightly acidic, inhabiting sort of a middle ground between Muenster cheese, Monterey Jack, and Butterkäse (“butter cheese”).
Because Havarti’s smooth flavor, like that of Monterey Jack, is sort of a blank canvas inviting experimentation, it is often found flavored with dill and other herbs, horseradish, hot peppers, or caraway seeds.
Does Havarti Melt Well?
Havarti cheese melts exceptionally well. Havarti has a high moisture content and a creamy, buttery texture, which makes it ideal for melting. When heated, Havarti cheese becomes soft and gooey, with a smooth consistency. It melts evenly, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, quesadillas, pizzas, casseroles, and other dishes that require melted cheese. Whether you’re using sliced Havarti or grated Havarti, you can expect it to melt beautifully and add a rich and creamy texture to your recipes.
Just as it accommodates spices and other flavors, Havarti’s creamy-smooth, tangy flavor complements a wide variety of foods, and can be a versatile ingredient in various recipes and uses. You can shred it on a pizza instead of—or in addition to—mozzarella. It melts beautifully over burgers and in casseroles, and is fabulous in a Havarti grilled cheese. Its buttery richness is even perfect with fruits and in desserts. There’s simply no shortage of Havarti cheese recipes. Here are some of our favorite recipes for how to eat Havarti:
- Havarti Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Upgrade your classic grilled cheese sandwich by using slices of Havarti cheese along with your favorite bread and optional additions like tomatoes, bacon, or avocado.
- Havarti and Apple Quesadillas: Spread grated or sliced Havarti cheese over tortillas, and add thinly sliced apples and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Cook in a skillet until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy.
- Havarti and Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts: Make a pocket in chicken breasts and stuff them with a mixture of chopped spinach, diced Havarti cheese, and herbs. Bake until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Havarti and Ham Croissants: Split croissants and layer them with thin slices of Havarti cheese and ham. Toast them in the oven until the cheese is melted and the croissants are golden brown.
- Havarti and Bacon Quiche: Prepare a savory quiche with a Havarti cheese and bacon filling. Whisk together eggs, milk, cooked bacon, grated Havarti cheese, and seasonings. Pour the mixture into a pie crust and bake until set.
- Havarti and Vegetable Frittata: Make a delicious frittata by whisking together eggs, milk, chopped vegetables (such as bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions), and grated Havarti cheese. Cook in a skillet until the eggs are set.
- Havarti and Tomato Tart: Create a flavorful tart by layering sliced tomatoes and Havarti cheese over a pre-baked pastry crust. Bake until the cheese is melted and the tomatoes are slightly roasted.
- Havarti and Mushroom Pizza: Top your favorite pizza dough with sautéed mushrooms, grated Havarti cheese, and herbs. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is crispy.
- Havarti and Dill Potatoes: Toss boiled or roasted potatoes with melted butter, fresh dill, and grated Havarti cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and the potatoes are golden brown.
- Havarti and Pear Salad: Combine mixed greens, sliced pears, candied pecans, and cubes of Havarti cheese in a salad bowl. Drizzle with a honey mustard vinaigrette for a delicious combination of flavors.
These are just a few examples of popular recipes that incorporate Havarti cheese. Feel free to get creative and experiment with different ingredients to suit your taste preferences.
Havarti Cheese Sauce : Simple Recipes & Cooking Tips
FAQ
Can you melt Havarti cheese?
What is the best way to use Havarti cheese?
What pairs well with Havarti?
Does Havarti melt like mozzarella?
Does Havarti cheese melt?
Havarti is a Danish semi-soft cheese made from cow’s milk. It is best known for its melting properties. It is buttery nutty and melts very well, both in a pot and when combined with food. The trick to melting Havarti cheese is to give it time and be patient; it won’t take too long anyway.
How to melt Havarti?
To melt Havarti in a pot and enjoy the rich and creamy result, cut it into thicker chunks and slowly increase the plate temperature while stirring. If, on the other hand, you want to melt Havarti on top of your pizza with nachos, or pasta, simply grate it over your meal and watch the magic happen.
How do you eat Havarti cheese?
Here are some delicious recipes that feature Havarti cheese: Spread softened butter on the outside of two slices of bread. Layer Havarti cheese slices between the bread. Grill in a pan until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted. Line a pie crust with Havarti cheese slices. Add diced ham and vegetables of your choice.
Does Havarti cheese melt better than Gouda?
Even though both Gouda and Havarti melt excellently, the Havarti cheese is more pliable than Gouda, making it slightly better for melting. However, this difference is only marginal, as Gouda and Havarti have very similar melting properties and often substitute for one another. Laura Bais is the owner of Julie’s Cafe Bakery food blog.