The 10 Best Cheeses for Burgers, Just in Time for Your Labor Day Cookout

Labor Day is almost here, and if you're anything like us, that means it's time to fire up the grill and get those burgers sizzling. But before you start flipping patties, let's talk about cheese —because a burger without cheese is just...a sad little patty on a bun. So, what’s the best cheese to complete your burger masterpiece? We spoke with a couple of experts to find the 10 best cheeses for topping a burger . (P.S. Keep this list around year-round when it's cold outside and you're flipping burgers in a skillet .)

Related: The One Thing Chefs Are Begging Home Cooks to Stop Doing When They Grill Burgers

When Should You Put Cheese on a Burger?

Before we get to the list of cheeses, we asked the experts for some general guidelines when it comes to adding cheese to your burgers, including when you should add the cheese to the patty. Brent Fuscaldo , assistant team leader and Certified Cheese Professional at Whole Foods Market in Chicago recommends "cooking the burger to almost the level of finish you desire, turning off the heat and then laying on the cheese. As the burger finishes absorbing the last heat, the cheese will melt but not too much."

What's the Best Kind of Bun to Use for a Burger?

Katie Stilo , the culinary producer at the Today Show says the bun is part of the consideration for your cheese of choice. "Think of the story you are trying to tell with this meal," she says. "Pretzel buns are a bit saltier with a savory bite to them; I would pair this bun with something like a sharp cheddar or Swiss to help balance that." She notes that a bun such as brioche is rich and buttery and can handle the bite of a Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheese. "If you wanted to enhance the cheese more, use a smoked gouda paired with a brioche bun to really create a decadent burger," she says. "[And] potato buns are begging, pleading for you to use good ol' American cheese on them."

She says to be creative in your burger endeavors this Labor Day (and beyond). "Since football season is approaching, I would even recommend making a homemade beer cheese to pour on top of your burger with a pretzel bun. That would be a homerun of a burger...well actually, a touchdown!" she says.

Are There Any Cheeses That You Shouldn't Use on a Burger?

Firm cheeses or overly pungent cheeses are usually a no-go for burgers, Stilo says, unless you want that to be the dominant flavor profile. "You should think of the overall burger as a symphony of flavors, and the cheese should be able to blend in and balance the other layers, not outshine," she says. "A soft melting cheese will always be the best option for your burgers. Firm cheeses have been aged more, therefore they do not melt well because they have a low-moisture point. Save the hard cheeses for your cheese boards and late-night snacks, not your burgers."

With that said, Stilo also says no there is no wrong choice when it comes to the bun-cheese-burger combination, but "it's truly the journey you choose for yourself, and no one can tell you that’s wrong," she says. "I may not recommend certain pairings, but I won't yuck your yum. Sometimes the most bizarre combinations turn out to be the best, and that’s the endless beauty of burgers, there is no shortage of flavor options!"

10 Best Cheeses for Burgers

Now that we've established some ground rules, it's time for some cheesy recommendations from Stilo and Fuscaldo. Which ones are at the top of your burger-topping list?

1. American

"Maybe this is controversial, maybe you’d expect someone professionally trained in the culinary arts to have a fancy answer, but I'll always choose American cheese," Stilo says. "If it's wrong, I don’t ever want to be right," she says. American melts beautifully and the mild flavor does not overpower or compete with the other components of your burger. Overall, "[it's] the best wingman to building a great burger."

2. Cheddar

For those who like a little sharpness in their burger, cheddar is a great choice. It provides a robust flavor without overwhelming the palate. Fuscaldo says that Kerrygold Kilaree Irish Cheddar is one of his favorites for melting over a grilled patty. "This is a 15-month aged cheddar that is sharp but balances a rich, creamy flavor. Although it’s an aged cheddar, the texture is still pliable enough to melt well."

3. Swiss

With its nutty and slightly sweet flavor, Swiss cheese pairs wonderfully with a variety of burger toppings. Its smooth melt makes it a perfect choice for a classic burger or a gourmet burger with all the fixings (think caramelized onions or mushrooms).

4. Mozzarella

If you’re in the mood for a lighter, more delicate cheese, mozzarella might be the way to go. It melts well and adds a mild, creamy flavor to your burger, making it ideal for those who prefer a subtle cheese presence. For a burger with an Italian flair, try mozzarella melted on the patty, a swipe of pesto on the bun, a few slices of tomatoes and maybe a small handful of arugula.

5. Provolone

This semi-soft deli favorite cheese can be purchased pre-sliced, which makes it easy to add that slightly tangy and savory flavor profile to your burger. Provolone melts nicely and adds a bit of complexity without overpowering the meat. It's also a classic cheese for melting on top a meatball sub and is delightful on an Italian sub, if you want to use Provolone beyond burgers.

6. Gruyère

For a touch of sophistication, Gruyère is an excellent option. Its nutty and sweet flavors take your burger to a whole new level, especially if you’re looking to impress your friends and family with an unexpected-but-fancy touch.

7. Halloumi

This might be a slightly unusual choice, but Fuscaldo says that one of his favorite burger cheeses is Aphrodite Halloumi. "This can take up space on the grill right next to your burger!" Fuscaldo says. "Due to the pH level, the cheese won’t melt; instead it will just brown on the edges, giving it a beautiful presentation on top of the patty. It’s also great on a veggie burger or other meat patties, especially lamb! He recommends add-ons of harissa and micro greens.

8. Young Gouda

Fuscaldo says that Wisconsin's Roth 3 Chili Pepper Gouda is a great pick for burger night (and this writer can attest to that!). This cheese has three pepper varieties (chipotle, habanero and jalapeño) and is a young gouda (vs. an aged gouda that can be hard and crumbly) so it melts very well. Fuscaldo says it is also very versatile, working on not only a beef burger but also on a turkey, chicken, lamb or veggie burger. If you can't find this specific cheese, ask for a young gouda at the cheese counter. It won't have the peppery punch of the Roth cheese, but will still be delicious.

9. Blue Cheese

Stilo says "Maybe not everyone's favorite, but blue cheese’s strong flavor would hold up well to [a] savory pretzel bun." And Fuscaldo agrees, naming Saint Agur Blue as his top pick in this category. "This creamy blue cheese melts very well and isn’t as salty as other blue cheeses, so it won’t cover up the flavor of the burger or overpower the other condiments," he says.

10. Soft Alpine-Style Cheese

Fuscaldo says Le Maréchal is one of his favorites of the soft cheese category when it comes to burgers. This Alpine-style cheese is infused with herbs and made with high quality milk, giving it a creamy but very strong taste. "Very similar to the nuttiness of Gruyere," he says, "but with almost a hop-like quality to taste and smell like beer. [It] melts like a dream!"

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