What Is Gouda Cheese?

Gouda is a type of cow’s milk cheese that originates from the Netherlands but is now made all around the world. This is a semi-hard cheese, with bright yellow color and a wax rind. Similar to Swiss cheese, Gouda cheese often has holes, or eyes, as a result of the type of bacteria that is added to the milk. 

What Does Gouda Cheese Taste Like?

Gouda cheese has a slightly sweet, mild flavor that intensifies as it ages. As Gouda cheese ripens, it gets darker and takes on a buttery and nutty flavor.

How Can You Eat Gouda Cheese?

Gouda cheese has a mild flavor; therefore, it works well on many dishes. Gouda cheese melts nicely into cheese sauces for pasta and works well on hot sandwiches. In recipes that call for a mild cheddar, Gouda can be a great substitute. 

Where Can You Buy Gouda Cheese?

Find Gouda cheese at most grocery stores at the deli counter next to other specialty cheeses and cured meats. 

How Do You Store Gouda Cheese?

Store Gouda by wrapping it in parchment paper, putting it in a plastic bag, and leaving it in the warmest part of your refrigerator. Unlike other cheeses, you should not freeze Gouda cheese.

Fun Fact About Gouda Cheese:

Back in the Middle Ages, towns needed to have the right to trade and sell certain goods, including cheese. So while Gouda cheese wasn’t traditionally made in Gouda, that was one of the only places in the area that you could buy it.

Did You Know?

Like cheddar cheese, some Gouda cheeses use annatto or carotene which are plant-based food dyes, to add yellow-orange coloring to the cheese.

Recipes Using Gouda Cheese

One-Pot Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese

Using the smoked variety of gouda cheese adds an additional layer of flavor to this classic favorite. In a stockpot, bring vegetable stock and milk to a boil. Add in the macaroni and cook until the pasta is al dente. Lower the heat and add shredded smoked gouda and parsley. Add veggies like sun-dried tomatoes or roasted jalapeños for an added kick.

Cranberry Walnut Salad

Cubed gouda cheese makes a delicious addition to this fall time salad. In a large salad bowl, combine spinach, toasted walnuts, crumbled bacon, dried cranberries, and small cubes of gouda cheese. Toss the salad with homemade balsamic dressing and serve.

Baked Zucchini with Tomatoes and Gouda

Dress up zucchini slices with tomatoes and gouda for a tasty vegetable side dish. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise and top with tomatoes, gouda cheese, breadcrumbs, parsley, and olive oil. Bake the zucchini in the oven for 30 minutes or until fork-tender.

Turkey Club Sandwich with Gouda Spread

Use shredded gouda cheese in this hearty turkey sandwich. Take gouda cheese, mayonnaise, green onion, black pepper, and garlic powder and stir Spread the mixture on toasted bread, and fill the sandwich with sliced deli turkey, sliced avocado, lettuce, and tomato.

Gouda Cheese Logs

Cheese logs are impressive to look at, delicious, and very easy to make. In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, shredded gouda, sun-dried tomatoes, chives, garlic powder, and parsley. Shape the mixture into two small logs or a large ball. Roll the cheese in anything from herbs, nuts, or seeds.