Corned Beef Sandwich: To Cheese Or Not To Cheese?

do you put cheese on a corned beef sandwich

Corned beef sandwiches are a popular deli sandwich that can be made with a variety of toppings, sauces, and fillings to suit personal preferences. While corned beef is a staple, some people like to add cheese to their sandwiches, with Swiss cheese being a popular choice. Other popular additions include sauerkraut, Russian dressing, and coleslaw. The type of bread used can also vary, with rye bread being a classic choice, but other options such as sourdough or white sandwich bread can also be used. Ultimately, the choice of whether or not to put cheese on a corned beef sandwich comes down to individual preference and the desired taste and texture of the sandwich.

Characteristics Values
Bread Rye, sourdough, white sandwich bread, marble rye, pumpernickel
Cheese Swiss, baby Swiss, Havarti, provolone, cheddar, Jarlsberg
Meat Corned beef, corned beef brisket
Spread Mustard, mayo, mayo-dijon mixture, relish, Russian dressing, horseradish sauce
Veggies Sauerkraut, coleslaw, pickled red onion, cabbage, carrots, potatoes

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What type of cheese should be used?

Corned beef sandwiches are a popular and iconic deli sandwich. While corned beef is a staple, the type of cheese used can vary depending on personal preference.

Swiss cheese is a popular choice for corned beef sandwiches. It has a gentle tang and lots of creaminess, melting beautifully and complementing the flavours of corned beef and sauerkraut. It is also a traditional choice for Reuben sandwiches, which are a specific type of corned beef sandwich.

Other cheese options include baby Swiss, Havarti, and Jarlsberg. Provolone is another good option, as its mild flavour complements the beef and mustard. If you're feeling adventurous, you could try using a nice Irish cheddar or even cheddar cheese, which will add a sharper flavour to the sandwich.

No matter which cheese you choose, the key is to ensure that it melts nicely and binds with the other ingredients. This can be achieved by mixing the cheese with sauerkraut and spreading it on the bread before adding the corned beef and toasting the sandwich.

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What are the benefits of grilling the sandwich?

Grilling a corned beef sandwich has several benefits. Firstly, grilling the sandwich can create a golden brown crust on the bread, adding a crunchy texture and enhancing the overall taste experience. The heat from grilling also helps to melt any cheese inside the sandwich, such as Swiss cheese, creating a creamy and indulgent contrast to the crispy bread.

Another advantage of grilling a corned beef sandwich is that it can enhance the flavour of the meat. Grilling adds a subtle smoky aroma and flavour to the corned beef, complementing its salty and briny notes. The heat from grilling can also help warm up the meat, making it more tender and easier to chew, ensuring a more enjoyable eating experience.

Furthermore, grilling a corned beef sandwich can be a convenient and efficient cooking method. It typically requires less time compared to other cooking techniques, making it ideal for a quick meal. Grilling also allows for even cooking, ensuring that the sandwich is toasted uniformly and avoiding any soggy or undercooked spots.

In addition to the above, grilling a corned beef sandwich can be a versatile cooking option. It can be achieved using various equipment, such as a skillet, oven broiler, toaster oven, or panini press. This versatility means that anyone can prepare a grilled corned beef sandwich at home, even without specialized equipment.

Lastly, grilling a corned beef sandwich can create a delightful sensory experience. The sizzling sound of the sandwich cooking on the grill, the aroma of toasted bread and melting cheese, and the visual appeal of golden, crispy bread can all contribute to a multi-sensory dining pleasure.

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What are the best types of bread to use?

Corned beef sandwiches are traditionally made with rye bread, which has a rich, earthy, malty flavour that works well with the sharp flavours of mustard, relish, and sauerkraut. However, you can use any hearty sandwich bread that you like, such as sourdough.

If you want to stick to the traditional rye, there are a few different types to choose from. Marbled rye swirls together pumpernickel and seeded rye bread, but if you can't find this, you can use either seeded rye or pumpernickel on their own. Dark rye bread is another option, and the darkest you can find is recommended.

When preparing your bread, it's a good idea to spread butter on one side of each slice. This will help you achieve a beautiful golden brown crust when you toast your sandwich. If you're health-conscious, you can use unsalted butter to control the amount of sodium in your sandwich.

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What sauces and dressings should be used?

Sauces and dressings are an essential part of a corned beef sandwich, adding moisture and flavour to the overall profile. The traditional choice is Russian dressing, a combination of mayo and chilli sauce, with Thousand Island dressing as a close second. Russian dressing is often served on a classic corned beef sandwich, but you can also use it as a dip on the side.

If you want to make your own Russian dressing, you can combine mayo, mustard, vinegar, sugar, salt, onion, and celery seed. You can also add a little kick to your sandwich by mixing in some horseradish sauce.

For a more tangy flavour, a combination of Dijon mustard and mayonnaise is a great option. You can spread this mixture on both slices of bread and add cheese to one side or both. If you want to add a little sweetness to balance out the savoury flavours, you can add a small amount of granulated sugar or cane sugar.

If you're making a corned beef grilled cheese sandwich, you can add Worcestershire sauce for a savoury, umami flavour. You can also caramelise onions by cooking them with butter, sugar, salt, and pepper until they are soft and golden brown. Then, mix in the corned beef, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard.

For a simple corned beef melt, grainy mustard is a popular choice, adding a slightly spicy bite to the sandwich. You can also add butter to the bread to create a golden brown crust.

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What other ingredients can be added?

Corned beef sandwiches can be made with a variety of ingredients, depending on your preferences. Here are some suggestions for what you can add:

Bread

While traditional corned beef sandwiches are made with rye bread, you can use any type of bread that you like. Some alternatives include sourdough, white sandwich bread, marble rye, pumpernickel, or your favourite hearty sandwich bread.

Cheese

Swiss cheese is a popular choice for corned beef sandwiches as it melts beautifully and complements the flavours of corned beef. Other options include baby Swiss, Havarti, provolone, or cheddar cheese, especially if you can find a nice Irish cheddar. If you want to indulge, Jarlsberg cheese would be an amazing pairing with corned beef.

Meat

Corned beef is the star of the show in this sandwich. You can use leftover corned beef from a previous meal, or purchase sliced corned beef from the deli counter. If you're feeling ambitious, you can even make your own corned beef from scratch.

Spread

Russian dressing is often served on classic corned beef sandwiches, but you can also make your own spread by combining Dijon mustard and mayonnaise in a 1:1 ratio. This spread adds a nice tang and creaminess to the sandwich. Alternatively, you can use butter on one side of each slice of bread, or a combination of mayo and chili sauce for a kick.

Veggies

Sauerkraut, or fermented cabbage, is a classic corned beef combination. It adds moisture and a wonderful tang that cuts through the richness of the beef and cheese. If sauerkraut isn't your thing, you can use coleslaw instead, which provides a nice veggie crunch. Pickled red onions, either caramelized or raw, can also add a nice bite to the sandwich.

Toppings

To take your corned beef sandwich to the next level, you can add some toppings like pickles, pickle relish, or caramelized onions. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even add some Russian dressing or horseradish sauce on top.

Frequently asked questions

Swiss cheese is the most popular option, but you can also use Havarti, baby Swiss, or cheddar cheese. If you can find it, Jarlsberg cheese would also pair well with corned beef.

Corned beef sandwiches typically include sauerkraut, Russian dressing, and mustard. You can also add coleslaw, pickles, relish, and/or caramelized onions.

Corned beef sandwiches are usually made with rye bread, but you can also use sourdough, white sandwich bread, or any other type of hearty sandwich bread.

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