When making scrambled eggs, the cheese you choose can make all the difference. The right cheese enhances the flavor and texture of the eggs, while the wrong cheese risks overpowering the delicate scrambled egg flavor. So what is the best cheese for scrambled eggs?
Quick Answer
The best cheeses for scrambled eggs are:
- Cheddar – Melts smoothly and adds a sharp, nutty flavor
- Monterey Jack – Melts well and has a mild, buttery taste
- Feta – Adds a tangy, salty punch
- Goat Cheese – Imparts a rich, tart creaminess
- Parmesan – Provides a nutty, umami depth
Of these, cheddar and Monterey Jack are generally considered the top choices. Their melty textures integrate seamlessly into scrambled eggs. Meanwhile, their complementary flavors enhance but don’t overwhelm the egg flavor.
What Makes a Good Cheese for Scrambled Eggs
When selecting a cheese for scrambled eggs, there are a few key criteria to consider:
- Meltability – The cheese should melt smoothly into the eggs. Hard cheeses that don’t melt well will stay in chunks.
- Flavor – The cheese flavor should complement but not overpower the egg flavor. Sharp cheeses work best.
- Texture – The melted cheese should blend with the soft scrambled eggs. Soft, creamy cheeses work best.
- Saltiness – Salt level should enhance but not overwhelm the eggs’ flavor. Opt for cheeses with moderate salt levels.
Cheeses that meet the above criteria, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, and goat cheese, make the best partners for scrambled eggs. Their meltability, mild-to-moderate flavors, creamy textures, and moderate salt levels beautifully enhance the flavor and texture of scrambled eggs.
The Best Cheeses for Scrambled Eggs
Cheddar
Sharp cheddar is considered by many to be the quintessential cheese for scrambled eggs. When scrambled eggs and cheese are mentioned, cheddar is often the first cheese to come to mind.
Here’s why cheddar is so popular for scrambled eggs:
- It melts smoothly into creamy eggs.
- It has a mellow nuttiness and sharp tang that complements eggs.
- It has a hint of saltiness that enhances the flavor of eggs.
- It’s widely available and affordable.
For best results, opt for a good quality, extra sharp cheddar. Avoid pre-shredded bags of cheddar, as these contain additives that inhibit melting. Grate a block of extra sharp cheddar yourself for the very best scrambled eggs.
Monterey Jack
With its creamy texture and mild flavor, Monterey Jack is another cheese that’s practically made for scrambled eggs.
Advantages of Monterey Jack for scrambled eggs:
- Its creamy texture blends beautifully into eggs.
- It melts exceptionally well.
- It has a buttery, slightly tangy flavor that’s mild enough not to overpower eggs.
- It contains enough salt to enhance flavor without being too salty.
For best results, choose an artisanal Monterey Jack cheese. The flavors will be richer than commercially produced cheeses.
Feta
Crumbled feta adds a wonderful tangy contrast to creamy scrambled eggs. It’s a popular choice for eggs in many Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries.
Here’s what makes feta work well in scrambled eggs:
- It has a bold, salty flavor that enhances the flavor of eggs.
- It adds delightful bites of tangy creaminess throughout the eggs.
- Its crumbles give fun bursts of texture.
Use feta sparingly, as its assertive flavor can overpower the eggs if overused. But a bit of feta sprinkled on at the end gives scrambled eggs a wonderful lift.
Goat Cheese
The rich, tangy creaminess of goat cheese pairs beautifully with light, fluffy scrambled eggs.
Here’s what makes goat cheese a great match for scrambled eggs:
- It has a lush, creamy texture similar to eggs.
- It has a bright, tangy flavor that complements the eggs.
- It becomes smooth and silky when melted.
- It has less salt than many cheeses, allowing the egg flavor to shine.
Use soft fresh goat cheese for the best results. Crumble it gently into the eggs as you scramble them so it melts evenly throughout.
Parmesan
Finely grated parmesan adds a nutty, savory depth to scrambled eggs.
Here’s what makes parmesan work well:
- It has a rich, umami flavor that enhances eggs.
- Its fine texture integrates smoothly when scrambled with eggs.
- A little goes a long way, so it won’t overwhelm the eggs.
Grate the parmesan freshly yourself. Pre-grated parmesan has less flavor. Use a light hand, as parmesan’s flavor can take over if you add too much.
Other Cheeses to Consider
While cheddar, Monterey Jack, feta, goat cheese, and parmesan are favorites for scrambled eggs, other cheeses can work well too. Consider these runners-up:
Gruyère
This Swiss cheese has a creamy, gently nutty flavor that melts beautifully into eggs.
Fontina
Fontina’s pungent, earthy flavor stands up well to eggs. It becomes silky smooth when melted.
Mozzarella
Fresh mozzarella adds milky flavor and luscious melted texture. Just don’t use hard pre-shredded mozzarella, as it won’t melt well.
Blue Cheese
A bit of blue cheese’s potent flavor can add interesting flavor depth. Use it sparingly to avoid overwhelming the eggs.
Pepper Jack
Pepper Jack’s spicy kick can be a fun contrast to creamy eggs. Milder pepper Jack varieties work best.
Gouda
Gouda’s sweet, nutty flavor mellows into a pleasant butteriness when melted. It integrates nicely into eggs.
Asiago
Sharp aged Asiago has a sharp Cheddar-like flavor that can stand up to hearty scrambled egg dishes.
Provolone
Provolone has a mild, milky, slightly aged flavor that complements scrambled eggs well.
Cheeses to Avoid in Scrambled Eggs
While most cheeses can work in scrambled eggs, there are a few that are better avoided:
Soft Fresh Cheeses
High-moisture fresh cheeses like ricotta, cottage cheese, and mascarpone tend to curdle or weep when cooked in eggs.
Hard Grating Cheeses
Hard, dry grating cheeses like romano and pecorino romano don’t melt well in eggs.
Processed Cheese Slices
Individually wrapped cheese slices won’t properly melt into scrambled eggs.
Flavorless Cheeses
Mild flavored cheeses like colby and butterkäse get lost amongst the eggy flavor.
Tips for Adding Cheese to Scrambled Eggs
To get the best results when adding cheese to scrambled eggs, follow these tips:
- Grate hard cheeses on the small side of a box grater so they melt smoothly.
- Cut soft cheeses into small cubes before gently folding into the eggs.
- Add the cheese at the end of cooking so it doesn’t over-melt and separate from the eggs.
- For more even distribution, sprinkle some cheese between layers in a layered scramble.
- Match the amount of cheese to the quantity of eggs so flavors stay balanced.
- Take the eggs off the heat just before they’re completely set to allow residual heat to melt the cheese.
Conclusion
When it comes to finding the perfect cheese to enhance scrambled eggs, opt for a cheese with a creamy melting texture, complementary flavors, and moderate salt levels. Cheddar and Monterey Jack rise to the top as easy-to-find cheeses that blend beautifully into light, fluffy scrambled eggs.
But don’t be afraid to also experiment with small additions of stronger cheeses like feta, goat cheese, parmesan, and gouda. Their more pronounced flavors can take scrambled eggs from basic breakfast fare to gourmet delight.
By selecting the right cheese for your scrambled eggs and adding it with care, you can take this humble breakfast staple to new heights.
| Cheese | Meltability | Flavor Compatibility | Texture | Salt Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheddar | Smooth, melty | Nutty, tangy, complementary | Creamy | Moderate |
| Monterey Jack | Excellent meltability | Mild, buttery | Creamy | Low-moderate |
| Feta | Crumbles remain | Strong, tangy | Creamy, crumbly | High |
| Goat Cheese | Silky when melted | Tangy, rich | Smooth, creamy | Low |
| Parmesan | Finely grated melts well | Rich umami flavor | Fine, smooth when melted | Moderate |
