Cheese fondue is the perfect dish for cheese enthusiasts, combining delicious melted cheese with wine and a touch of herbs and spices. It’s one of the best dishes to serve as a tasty appetizer for guests or as a main filling meal for your family and loved ones. Fortunately, almost anything goes together perfectly with cheese fondue, so you can create new sides and dippers to keep the dish exciting and tasty.
We’ve put together this list of our favorite things to dip in cheese fondue to help you take this classic cheesy dish to the next level.
Table of Contents
- 10 Things That Go Great With Cheese Fondue Dip
- Preparing a Cheese Fondue
- Cheese Fondue Recipes to Try
- Purchase Premio Foods Sausage to Go With Your Cheese Fondue
10 Things That Go Great With Cheese Fondue Dip
There are tons of options when it comes to cheese fondue side dishes. Adding the perfect ingredient to this cheesy classic can make the dish much more filling and satisfying. Here are our top 10 best cheese fondue foods to try out the next time you serve up this tasty meal.
1. Bread
Bread is an excellent choice for cheese fondue because it soaks up the warm cheese and creamy flavors, creating a delicious combination. There are so many options to choose from for this classic side, such as French baguettes, sourdough, breadsticks, bagels, croutons or pretzels. Whichever bread you choose, be sure to toast it first slightly so it doesn’t fall apart in your fondue.
2. Potatoes
Pairing your fondue with crispy potatoes provides the same gooey, savory, rich combination as cheese fries. You can get creative with this one and make homemade french fries, roasted or baked potatoes or potato chips. If you opt for potato chips, you might also want to try tortilla chips for homemade cheesy nachos. They’re the perfect fondue food for any get-together and are sure to be a treat.
3. Apples
It may seem like an unlikely pairing, but fruits taste surprisingly delightful with cheese fondue dip, especially apples. Picture a cheese board with melted cheese and a selection of fruit to enjoy. You can cut a few apples into slices and lay them out for guests to dip as they see fit. The crunchy, crisp tartness of an apple is a perfect match when paired with melted cheese, and it makes for a delicious snack or appetizer.
4. Broccoli
If you’re looking for some veggie options for your cheese fondue, you can’t go wrong with broccoli. It’s an excellent option for adding a bit of freshness and a little kick of healthy nutrition to this cheese feast meal. You could choose to serve broccoli raw or steam it first to give it a smoother taste. Either way, it’s sure to provide a satisfying meal.
5. Bell Peppers
Peppers go great with just about anything, and cheese fondue is no exception. You can use a mixture of green, red and yellow peppers to add a little color and extra flavor to this savory cheese dish. It’s also helpful to slice the peppers in thin, long slices, making them easier to dip without skewers.
6. Meatballs
Meatballs are a surprisingly versatile side to any dish. While we may usually pair them with pasta, meatballs go together perfectly with cheese fondue. Either use a skewer to dip them in the fondue or pour some cheese on top to create a deliciously cheesy meatball delicacy.
7. Sausage
If you’re looking to add protein to this traditional dish, sausage is the best meat for fondue. Authentic sweet Italian sausage goes amazingly well with savory cheese. You can easily cut the sausage into smaller pieces, so it’s easy to dip and enjoy. And if you’re looking to add a touch of extra flavor, you can choose from a variety of sausages, such as chorizo or hot and spicy chicken, to enjoy with your cheese fondue.
8. Chicken
If you want a filling meal for your guests or family, poached chicken is an excellent way to do it. You can add herbs and spices to the chicken for extra flavor and dip the pieces in cheesy goodness to your heart’s content. Add a side of veggies, such as broccoli or green beans, and you’ve got yourself a filling dinner sure to impress.
9. Steak
Steak is another excellent protein to add to your cheese fondue. If you love cheesesteaks, it’s a no-brainer to try dipping steak strips or bites into gooey cheese. Add a piece of bread, and you can create mini cheesesteak sliders.
10. Shrimp
Are you a seafood lover? Consider combining your favorite seafood and cheese fondue into one delicious dish. Shrimp is an excellent choice to take your cheese fondue to the next level. Whether roasted, sauteed, fried or grilled, shrimp is perfect for adding a unique and fancy side to the classic cheese fondue.
Preparing a Cheese Fondue
You can concoct a cheese fondu by experimenting with different cheeses and wines. First things first, you’ll need to gather the essential ingredients, including your choice of cheese, wine and dips.
The key to cheese fondue is selecting your cheese wisely. It’s an essential ingredient, after all. If you want a more classic and traditional fondue, Gouda, Gruyere and fontina are excellent types of cheese to consider. You could also use cheddar cheese to whip up a yummy cheddar fondue.
You’ll also want to select a white wine that’s acidic and dry to help keep the cheese smooth and even. You could also opt for a less traditional recipe by choosing a light red wine. If wine isn’t your favorite, you can use your favorite beer instead and make a tasty beer fondue. A nonalcoholic spin on cheese fondue could incorporate chicken broth and lemon juice.
Cheese Fondue Recipes to Try
Now that you know what goes into making a cheese fondue, here are some recipes.
Easy White Wine and Swiss Cheese Fondue
Keep it simple with this classic white wine and Swiss cheese fondue. This recipe serves six to eight people and takes 15 minutes to prepare. The main ingredients of this classic and creamy cheese fondue include Swiss cheese, Gruyere cheese, garlic and dry white wine. It also features cornstarch, lemon juice, kirsch, black pepper and nutmeg for taste.
To prepare your fondue mixture, rub the inside of a cold saucepan with a halved garlic clove, coating it evenly.
Combine 1 pound of grated Gruyere cheese, ½ pound of Swiss cheese, 1 cup of wine, 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of cornstarch and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice in your garlic-coated saucepan. Cook the mixture over moderate heat and occasionally stir until it melts.
Once your cheese mixture is melted, reduce the heat and add nutmeg, pepper and other spices if desired. Gently stir to lock in the flavor.
Refrain from overcooking your mixture to avoid stringy cheese. When you’re happy with the consistency, remove the saucepan from the stove and serve with your dipping options, including breadsticks, gluten-free bread, vegetables or Italian sausage varieties.
Kid-Friendly Layered Cheesy Chicken Sausage Marinara Fondue
Want a nonalcoholic cheese fondue? We’ve got you covered. You can substitute your white wine or beer for lemon juice to create a delicious, kid-friendly cheese fondue. This recipe is perfect for six to eight people.
The main ingredients in this recipe are Premio Italian Chicken Sausage With Cheese & Garlic, ricotta cheese, shredded Italian cheese, and marinara or zesty spaghetti sauce. It also has crushed red pepper, freshly chopped basil and olive oil. You can enjoy this fondue with grain, bean and veggie chips.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to start your fondue. While your oven is warming, prepare 1 pack of Premio Italian Chicken Sausage. Chop the sausage into pieces, add to a skillet and cook until the sausage reaches a minimum internal temperature of 160 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once your sausage is cooked, combine it with 8 ounces of ricotta cheese, ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper and ¼ cup of freshly chopped basil. Spread the mixture evenly on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Pour 1 jar of marinara or spaghetti sauce over the top, and sprinkle with 1 pound of shredded Italian cheese. All there’s left to do now is cover your dish and bake until it is bubbly and a little crispy around the edges.
Remove your creamy fondue from the oven, drizzle with some olive oil and dig in with your dipping chips.
Purchase Premio Foods Sausage to Go With Your Cheese Fondue
Sausage dipped in gooey and melted cheese is one of the best combinations and an excellent way to serve a tasty, filling meal for your guests and family. Use Premio Food’s high-quality authentic sausage products to kick your cheese fondue up a notch, impress your loved ones and keep them coming back for more.
Purchase Premio Foods sausage at a store near you today to go with your next cheese fondue dish.