The Cheese Choice Ree Drummond Adds To Her Perfect Burgers

Whether you're satisfying a fast-food craving or savoring the best version of a classic at a restaurant, most cheeseburgers you encounter in the wild are served with a slice of bright yellow American or cheddar cheese. And if you're trying to replicate that restaurant experience in your kitchen or on the grill, you're probably reaching for those same familiar favorites. Neither cheese is a surprising choice given the fact that both bring a dose of color, melt quickly, and add a sharp, salty taste.

But for an even more flavorful burger, Ree Drummond recommends giving another cheese a chance. "If you think you're not a big blue cheese fan, please give it a try on this burger," says the Pioneer Woman on her blog. "The tanginess/sharpness is like nothing else." Creamy and pungent, blue cheese is the perfect choice for a cheese-lovers cheeseburger. The tanginess of the cheese cuts through the other burger seasonings and its saltiness brings out the flavor from your beef.

Drummond doesn't just swap American for blue, however. Her perfect burger is designed to complement the funky flavor blue cheese provides. Between the bounds of a crusty, seedy Kaiser roll, Drummond layers her patties with a spicy, tabasco-powered mayo and caramelized red onions. For each burger, she then crumbles on half a cup of blue cheese as the beef finishes cooking. "The blue cheese won't be melted, but it'll be nice and soft," she says. Add a few greens and you're good to go.

If you're intrigued by the blue cheese concept but without the onions or other fixings, just incorporating a few blue cheese crumbles will still brighten the flavor of your burger. You might also try adding a spicy brown mustard or a slightly salted slice of tomato to complement the cheese without overwhelming it.

If this blue cheese swap has inspired you to try further burger breakthroughs, we have a few more ideas in mind. Briny, salty Feta has its own distinct flavor which pairs well with beef. Like blue cheese, Feta won't melt as quickly on the grill, but its chewy, squeaky texture is a fun change from the everyday. Try it with a sprinkling of spinach and a few sweet pimento peppers for a sweet-salty kick. Goat cheese can be as controversial as blue, but give it a try on your cheeseburger with a spread of fig jam, and dash of Dijon mustard, and a layer of arugula for a taste sensation that goes above and beyond your basic burger.