Best Cheeses To Compliment Deli Turkey: A Guide

Turkey sandwiches are a classic, and there are endless possibilities when it comes to creating the perfect one. While some people prefer to keep it simple with just turkey and cheese, others like to experiment with different combinations of cheese, sauces, toppings, and bread. But what cheese goes best with deli turkey?

Swiss cheese

When making a turkey and Swiss cheese sandwich, it is best to slice the cheese thinly. You can also melt Swiss cheese into a hot turkey sandwich, or enjoy it unmelted in a cold sandwich.

Some other popular cheeses to pair with turkey include:

• Provolone
• American
• Mozzarella
• Cheddar
• Havarti
• Pepper Jack
• Colby Jack
• Monterey Jack

Monterey Jack

If you are making a sandwich with lots of toppings, Monterey Jack is a good choice as it will not overwhelm the other flavours. It is also a good option for kids' lunches.

Brie

• Turkey
• Bread (e.g. baguette, ciabatta, focaccia, croissant)
• Fig (e.g. fig butter, fig jam, fig preserves)
• Lettuce (e.g. spring mix, arugula, spinach, shredded lettuce)
• Apple (e.g. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp)
• Mustard (e.g. Dijon, whole-grain)
• Cranberry sauce
• Onions (e.g. caramelized, raw red onions)
• Nuts (e.g. walnuts, crushed pecans)

To melt brie for a sandwich, allow the cheese to warm to room temperature, then use medium heat on a skillet to melt it gradually.

Aged gouda

• Spread pesto on one slice of bread and mayonnaise on the other.
• Add some turkey slices, fresh tomato slices, and the cheese.
• Close the sandwich and butter the outside.
• Place into a hot panini press and cook until the bread is golden brown.

You can also add avocado, bacon, and apple slices to your sandwich for a unique flavour profile.

Mild cheese for smoky turkey

If you're making a sandwich with smoky turkey, it's best to opt for a mild cheese so that the strong flavour of the meat can shine. Here are some great options for mild cheeses that will complement your smoky turkey:

Gouda

Gouda is a sweet and creamy cheese that is yellow in colour and originates from the Netherlands. It is one of the oldest European cheeses, dating back to the 12th century. A mild gouda cheese melts easily into your sandwich and won't overpower the other ingredients. If you want to taste the cheese more, go for an aged gouda, which has a saltier and harder texture with a butterscotch or caramel flavour.

Edam

Edam is a semi-hard cheese that also comes from the Netherlands. It became popular in the 14th-15th centuries and is now one of the most popular cheeses in Europe. Mild Edam has a creamy texture and milder flavour, while aged Edam is creamier and nuttier with a surprise salty kick. Like gouda, Edam has a mild flavour that won't overwhelm the other ingredients in your sandwich.

Colby

Colby is a semi-hard cow's milk cheese from the United States. It is orange in colour with a nutty flavour and is often mixed with monetary cheese. It is usually not used for cooking but is great for grilled sandwiches as it melts easily. Colby is a mild cheese that won't overpower the rest of your sandwich ingredients.

Havarti

Havarti is a semi-hard cow's milk cheese from Denmark. It has a springy texture with a sweet and acidic taste. It is a mild cheese that is perfect for grilled turkey sandwiches as its flavour won't overwhelm the other ingredients.

Swiss

Swiss cheese is made in Switzerland and looks like Emmental cheese. It is yellow in colour, smooth, and has a sweet, nutty, and mild flavour. It also has less salt content, making it ideal for those wanting less salty cheese. Swiss cheese melts well and won't overpower the rest of the ingredients in your sandwich.

Muenster

Muenster cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and is semi-soft with a light, pale yellow to almost white colour. It has a buttery taste. Note that this is different from Munster cheese, which is French and has a sharp and smokier flavour. Muenster cheese is mild and won't overpower the other ingredients in your sandwich, but it can develop a pungent smell as it ages.

Monterey Jack

Monterey Jack, also known as Jack, is a white, semi-hard cheese made from cow's milk. It has a mild, buttery, and slightly sweet flavour. It is a mild cheese that is perfect for grilled turkey sandwiches as it won't overpower the other ingredients.

Provolone

Provolone is another classic choice for turkey sandwiches. It adds a rich and salty taste with a zing or slightly sharp taste but is not overly strong.

Cheddar

Cheddar is a well-known hard cheese that originated in England. It is made from cow's milk and has a smooth texture when mild and a slightly harder texture when aged. Its colour ranges from white to light yellow, and it has a sharp, sweet-sharp flavour. Cheddar is often used with smoked turkey and will bring a strong taste to your sandwich.

Frequently asked questions