Tiffany Haney
Cheese fondue is a simple dish of melted cheese and wine, into which people can dip almost anything. The best side dishes to serve with cheese fondue include bread, crackers, and chips. Bread is the most popular dipper, with French bread, breadsticks, and croutons always being a favourite. Other options include multigrain bread, rye, sourdough, pumpernickel, and even bagels. Vegetables are also a great option, with broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots being popular choices. For protein, grilled steak, poached chicken, or cooked ham are great additions, and for an extra kick of flavour, cured meats like salami and sausage are excellent choices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | French bread, breadsticks, croutons, bagels, sourdough, baguette, pretzels, pumpernickel, rye, multigrain bread, gluten-free bread |
| Crackers | Wheat crackers, tortilla chips |
| Chips | Potato chips, tortilla chips, sweet potato fries |
| Meat | Grilled beef, grilled chicken, meatballs, poached chicken, sausage, cured meats (salami, pepperoni, beef jerky, chorizo, kielbasa), steak, ham |
| Seafood | Shrimp, crab, lobster |
| Vegetables | Broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, carrots, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, green beans, cherry tomatoes, celery, fennel spears, radishes, baby potatoes, artichoke hearts, mushrooms |
| Fruit | Apples, pears, pineapple, grapes, apricots, figs |
What You'll Learn
Bread and crackers
No matter which type of bread you choose, make sure to lightly toast it (especially bread that may fall apart in the cheese) and then cut it into large cubes. Crackers are another great option for dipping into cheese fondue. They provide a nice crunchy texture that contrasts with the softer pasta, rice, potatoes, or broccoli you may be serving on the side. Like bread, crackers can be used to scoop up the melted cheese from the pot.
Bread is traditionally served with fondue to soak up any remaining cheese at the bottom of the pot, ensuring none of the delicious cheese goes to waste!
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Fruits
Apples are a particularly popular choice, with the crisp, tart Granny Smith variety being a perfect match for the cheese. Sliced apples are a good option for dipping, but for a fancier presentation, you can cut them into cubes. Pears are another option, with Bosc pears' nutmeg and cinnamon undertones bringing out the spices in many fondues.
Other fruits that can be served with cheese fondue include pineapple, grapes, dried apricots, and dried figs.
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Meat
Sausage
Sausage is a perfect meat for fondue. Authentic sweet Italian sausage goes well with savoury cheese. You can easily cut the sausage into smaller pieces, so it's easy to dip and enjoy. You could also choose from a variety of sausages, such as chorizo, to enjoy with your cheese fondue.
Steak
Steak is another excellent protein to add to your cheese fondue. If you love cheesesteaks, try dipping steak strips or bites into gooey cheese. Add a piece of bread, and you can create mini cheesesteak sliders.
Poached Chicken
Poached chicken is a great option if you want a filling meal for your guests or family. You can add herbs and spices to the chicken for extra flavour and dip the pieces in cheesy goodness. Add a side of veggies, such as broccoli or green beans, and you've got a filling dinner.
Grilled Beef or Chicken
Grilled meat goes well with fondue because you can pair it with bread or crackers. Some cheeses can be quite rich and flavorful, so it is nice to have something on the side that is more simplistic in flavour.
Cured Meats
Cured meats, like beef jerky, kielbasa, pepperoni, salami, and prosciutto, are all fun and flavorful dippers that will bring a bit of spice to your fondue pot.
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Seafood
Pappadeaux's Cheesy Seafood Fondue
This recipe combines butter, flour, shrimp stock or water, cayenne pepper, shrimp, spinach, crab meat, green onions, and cheese to create a creamy and indulgent fondue. It is important to note that you should use a cast-iron Dutch oven or a fondue pot to keep the fondue warm during eating. Serve this fondue with garlic bread for a tasty treat.
Cheesy Seafood Fondue with a Variety of Seafood
This recipe suggests using a combination of shrimp, crab, lobster, and/or scallops for a decadent seafood fondue. The key to a successful fondue is to use a cast-iron Dutch oven or a fondue pot to retain heat and keep the fondue warm. This recipe includes sweet red peppers, Old Bay seasoning, flour, heavy cream or cream cheese, shredded cheese, cornstarch or sodium citrate, and your choice of seafood. Be sure to serve it with cubed baguette for dipping!
Grilled or Roasted Shrimp
Grilled or roasted shrimp is a perfect pairing for a bold cheese fondue, especially when made with brandy or white wine. For an extra kick of flavour, cook the shrimp with minced garlic and chopped parsley. This combination will provide a nice contrast of flavours and textures.
Although not a fondue, another option is to serve seafood on the side. Poached chicken is a great option as it can be dressed up with the cheeses and spices of your choosing. Salty and spicy cured meats like prosciutto, salami, and chorizo are also excellent choices to accompany your cheese fondue.
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Vegetables
If you want to add some extra flavour to your vegetables, you can lightly steam some artichoke hearts or sauté some mushrooms. If you're looking for something with a bit of a kick, you could try pickling some vegetables like pearl onions, pickles, or sweet gherkins before serving them.
When serving vegetables with cheese fondue, it's important to consider the shape and size. If the vegetables are an odd shape or very small, you may want to offer toothpicks or skewers to make dipping easier. It's also important to partially cook the vegetables before serving to ensure they don't fall apart in the fondue.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many side dishes that go well with cheese fondue. Bread is a classic option, especially crusty bread, breadsticks, croutons, bagels, sourdough, or baguettes. You can also try something more unique like cranberry walnut loaf. Toasted tortilla chips, crackers, and pretzels are also good options for dipping.
Vegetables that go well with cheese fondue include broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and green beans. You can also try steamed or boiled veggies like potatoes, radishes, or baby potatoes.
Meat side dishes that go well with cheese fondue include meatballs, sausage, steak, grilled beef or chicken, and cured meats like salami, chorizo, or pepperoni. Poached chicken is also a good option to add protein to the meal.
Some unique side dishes to serve with cheese fondue include artichoke hearts, sweet potato fries, and fruits like apples, pears, or grapes. Fruits that appear on cheese platters, such as apricots and figs, can also be served as a side dish.
