The 6 Best Cheeses to Grill This Summer (2024)

When you think about grilling, what comes to mind? Maybe it's burgers and steak or an array of beautifully charred vegetables. One food we're guessing that you rarely, if ever, think of grilling, though? Cheese. No, we're not talking about grilled cheese sandwiches (they are a whole different thing)—rather, cheese prepared on your outdoor grill. This cooking method brings new charred flavors and culinary possibilities to the dinner table. Grilling cheese is also a great idea for vegetarians, who are often limited in their options at cookouts, and it's a lighter option for those super hot summer days when red meat just seems too heavy. Here's what you need to know about grilling cheese this summer.

Can Any Cheese Be Grilled?

If you're planning on grilling directly on the grill grates, then no, you can't use just any cheese. Stick to varieties that won't melt too much—nobody wants cheese oozing down through the grates—but will give in a little bit to the heat. Your go-to cheeses would be in the bright and fresh category or are the youngest of the cheeses, says Jenn Mason, founder of Curds&Co., a fine cheese shop in Brookline, Mass., and curdbox.com, a cheese subscription service.

Best Cheeses for Grilling

Ready to give grilling your cheese a try? Put the following options on your radar.

Halloumi

Probably the best known cheese for grilling is halloumi, and that's thanks to its high melting point. In fact, packaging often shows this cheese with grill marks, further showcasing its unique grilling abilities. According to Mason, halloumi is made similarly to mozzarella in that it's stretched, but the resulting cheese is more like a curd in texture (somewhat "squeaky"). It softens and relaxes a bit once heated, making it a great grilling or frying option. Though you can keep it whole and grill slices of halloumi directly on the grill, Mason suggests cutting it into cubes and marinating first. It holds up well to skewering, so it would make a tasty addition to dishes like vegetable skewers.

Feta

It's not only famous on TikTok—feta is also an ideal option for the grill. You can marinate a full block overnight (or even a full day before), then grill it whole. Just be sure not to cut or stir it. "The more you touch it, the more it's prone to crumbling," says Mason. Once grilled, you can serve it whole with grilled bread or crackers, or cut or crumble it and add it to a salad.

Paneer

Paneer has similar properties to halloumi and can be grilled whole or on skewers, and, like feta, is a great cheese to marinate beforehand. Once grilled, it makes a tasty addition to many vegetarian dishes, and it could be served atop a light, summery dinner salad.

Bread Cheese

Juustoleitä, or bread cheese as it's referred to in Wisconsin, is also a great option for grilling. Like halloumi, bread cheese can be grilled in larger whole slices or cut into smaller cubes. Mason says bread cheese relaxes and softens when heat is applied, but it doesn't run or stretch.

Brie

You love baked Brie, but did you know this classic French cheese can also be grilled? And in the summer, it's a great way to "keep the heat out of the kitchen, but still do something showy" if you're entertaining, Mason says. When shopping, buy a young, small Brie (the smaller the better, because you want to get it on and off the grill as quickly as possible, Mason adds).

Here's how to grill a wheel of Brie:

1. Place Brie on the preheated grill and cook it for two to five minutes maximum, watching it carefully. It's ready to be removed when its typically-straight sides start to look plump.
2. Use a spatula to gently remove the Brie from the grill, transferring it to a serving dish to keep it contained, so it doesn't collapse.

Serve with grilled bread or crackers, jam, and fresh grilled stone fruits for an impressive summer spread.

Rougette Bon-Fire Cheese

A relatively new cheese option for grilling is Rougette Bon·fire cheese. It was developed as a grilling cheese and has been gaining popularity in Europe, where it is produced. It doesn't stick or melt, which are major perks when it comes to this cooking style; the semi-soft grilling cheese is also sold pre-marinated in herbs and oil. It has a similar look and feel to halloumi, says Flynne Wiley, CEO of Champignon North America, Inc.—but is creamier and less salty.

Pro Tips for Grilling Cheese

Now that you know which cheeses are best suited for your grill, follow these tips to ensure the best result.

Marinate Before You Grill

If you want to marinate a cheese prior to grilling it, choose a smooth marinade—chunkier marinades are more prone to fall off the cheese and into the grill, says Mason. The longer your cheese marinates, the more flavor it will impart, so if you want those notes to fully permeate your cheese, give it a full day; if you only want the exterior flavored, an overnight soak should suffice. Keep in mind that for cheeses that can be cut ahead of time, marinating smaller pieces will provide more surface area for that flavor to permeate—and will speed up the timeline, too.

Cheese and Grill Temperature

Always bring cheese to room temperature before grilling; if it goes on the grill cold, the outside will get too dark before the inside is warmed through, Mason says. And just like preheating a pan on the stove, make sure your grill is hot to get a good sear quickly. Be sure to oil the grill or brush oil directly on both sides of the cheese to prevent sticking.

The Right Tools

Mason recommends having both tongs and a spatula handy (make sure they can withstand grilling temperatures) to help you flip and remove the cheese swiftly and neatly. If you love the idea of grilling cheese and want to invest in a new tool to make it that much easier and mess-free, Mason suggests checking out the Boska Cheese Barbeclette. It allows you to heat your cheese on the grill, but not directly on the grates, expanding your cheese grilling possibilities so you can use other, meltier varieties that wouldn't be able to withstand the hot grates. Alternatively, you can use a cast iron skillet on the grill to heat your cheese (this is a particularly good option for Brie, which is most prone to melting out).