The Perfect Cheese Sandwich: Best Food Pairings

A grilled cheese sandwich is a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. The key to a great grilled cheese is the cheese itself, which should be the primary ingredient, providing that signature gooey, melty texture. But what goes well with cheese in a sandwich?

First, let's talk about the bread. While a classic grilled cheese uses white bread, you can switch things up by using sourdough, rye, French bread, or even pumpernickel. Just make sure it's not too thick or hole-y, unless you're using a heartier bread like ciabatta.

Now, for the cheese! There are many types of cheese that work well in a grilled cheese sandwich. You can go with a traditional option like American cheese, which has a superior melting ability, or try something different like Swiss, Gouda, brie, mozzarella, pepper jack, or Havarti. If you're feeling adventurous, combine a few different cheeses for an even more indulgent experience.

To take your grilled cheese to the next level, consider adding some extra ingredients. Sliced tomatoes, avocado, caramelized onions, spinach, arugula, and mushrooms are all great options. If you're feeling fruity, thin slices of apple, pear, or even strawberry can add a sweet contrast to the savoury sandwich.

And let's not forget about the sides! A grilled cheese sandwich is often paired with tomato soup, but you can also try it with a simple green salad, coleslaw, sweet potato fries, or even a charcuterie board.

Characteristics of what goes well with cheese in a sandwich

Meats

When it comes to crafting the perfect sandwich, the right combination of ingredients is essential. Here are some meat and cheese pairings to consider for your next sandwich creation:

Roast Beef and Cheese

A classic combination that never goes out of style. The key to elevating this sandwich lies in the choice of cheese. Opt for a variety that complements the rich, savoury flavours of the roast beef without overpowering them. Here are some options to consider:

• Provolone: This cheese melts beautifully, adding a gooey texture to the sandwich. Its mild taste seamlessly blends with the beef, making it a popular choice.
• Cheddar: A timeless option that delivers a tangy kick. Its bold flavour cuts through the richness of the beef, resulting in a well-balanced bite.
• Swiss Cheese: For a sophisticated touch, Swiss cheese adds a nutty and slightly sweet profile to your sandwich, elevating it to a refined experience.
• Havarti: With its creamy texture and mild taste, Havarti is a versatile choice. It melds gracefully with the beef without stealing the spotlight.
• Gouda: Infuse a smoky flavour into your sandwich with Gouda. Its rich and robust nature pairs perfectly with the boldness of roast beef.
• Blue Cheese: For adventurous palates, blue cheese brings a pungent and intense flavour, transforming your sandwich into something extraordinary.

Salami, Pepperoni, Prosciutto, and Provolone

Take your taste buds on an Italian journey with this combination. The salty, savoury flavours of cured meats like salami, pepperoni, and prosciutto are perfectly balanced by the mild, melting provolone cheese. It's a match made in sandwich heaven!

Chorizo and Gouda

For a spicy kick, pair chorizo with a full-bodied, melting cheese like Gouda. The peppery and smoky notes of chorizo are beautifully balanced by the creamy texture and strong flavour of Gouda. Add a dollop of strawberry jam for an unexpected twist that highlights the cheese's flavour.

Bresaola and Blue Cheese

Combine bresaola, an Italian dried and salted beef, with blue cheese for a classic pairing. To balance the saltiness, add a mild, melting cheese like mozzarella or Gruyere, and a touch of sweet and spicy mango chutney. This sandwich is a flavourful adventure.

Pancetta and Grana Cheese

Pancetta, a cured Italian bacon, pairs wonderfully with aged and savoury Grana cheeses. Opt for Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino, or Grana Padano to add a sharp, nutty flavour to the sandwich. If you're feeling adventurous, try Manchego Viejo or Asiago for a slightly different twist.

Fruits and vegetables

Fresh Produce

When choosing fruits and vegetables to pair with cheese, opt for those that can be eaten raw and require little to no cooking. This includes carrots, onions, capsicum, sweet corn, cabbage, and many others. If you do wish to cook your veggies, a quick sauté in butter or a brief boil until tender will suffice.

Savory Combinations

For a savory sandwich, pair mild cheeses such as ricotta or mozzarella with fresh tomatoes and basil. If you're feeling adventurous, try a semi-soft cheese like Colby or Monterey Jack with tart green apples. For a more indulgent option, go for a bloomy rind cheese like Brie, and pair it with pears, berries, or dried fruit.

Sweet and Spicy Twists

Add a sweet and spicy kick to your sandwich by incorporating fruits like strawberries, blueberries, or apples. Strawberries and blueberries can be threaded onto a skewer with cubes of cheese for a fun presentation. Apples can be sliced, warmed, and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, then served over Greek yogurt and granola for a unique open-faced sandwich.

Hearty Options

For a more substantial sandwich, roast vegetables like sweet potatoes, beets, or eggplant and pair them with tangy goat cheese or feta. These roasted veggies can be piled high on a crusty roll or wrapped in leafy greens for a low-carb option.

Creative Condiments

Think beyond the usual condiments and experiment with fruit-based spreads. Try making a simple dressing by mixing yogurt and salsa, or add a drizzle of hot honey or balsamic vinegar to your sandwich. Fruit jams and chutneys can also add a sweet or spicy twist to your creation.

Salads

Choosing the Right Cheese

Not all cheeses are created equal when it comes to salads. You'll want something with substance that can be crumbled, shredded, or cubed. Look for cheeses that will lend a contrasting texture to the greens and a rich, rounded flavour to balance the acidity of the dressing. Medium to hard cheeses work well, such as:

• Cheddar: Go for a mature cheddar with a full tangy flavour.
• Blue Cheese: Semi-soft and slightly salty, blue cheese also adds a nice creaminess to salads.
• Feta: The classic Greek salty and tangy cheese is a popular choice for salads.
• Halloumi: This Cypriot cheese has a salty taste and is delicious when grilled.
• Goat Cheese: Made with goat's milk, this cheese has a nice tart flavour and is often served warm on salads.
• Parmesan: A nutty and salty cheese that can add depth of flavour to any salad.

Classic Cheese Salad Combinations

Some tried and true combinations of salads and cheeses that are simply irresistible include:

• Greek Salad: Feta cheese is a must in this Mediterranean classic. Combine it with tomatoes, cucumbers, black olives, red onions, green peppers, and a red wine vinegar dressing.
• Spinach Salad: Try pairing spinach with walnuts, a drizzle of olive oil, and goat cheese. For a heartier option, add crumbled bacon and a red wine vinaigrette.
• Chicken Salad: Fresh grilled chicken strips topped with non-fat yogurt, tarragon, and crumbled blue cheese or aged cheddar is a delicious and refreshing option.
• Steak Salad: Thinly sliced steak over spinach or lettuce, with tomatoes and cucumbers, pairs beautifully with blue cheese.
• French Bistro Salad: Warm goat cheese rounds coated in breadcrumbs served over fresh, tender lettuce with a mustard vinaigrette dressing.

Creative Cheese Salad Ideas

If you're feeling adventurous, try these unique and mouth-watering cheese salad combinations:

• BLT Salad with Blue Cheese: A fun twist on the classic BLT sandwich, replacing mayonnaise with a wedge of blue cheese.
• Melon and Peach Salad with Mozzarella and Prosciutto: A quick and easy salad that plays on the classic combination of melon and prosciutto.
• Chicken Caprese Salad: Bocconcini (mini mozzarella balls) are the star of this simple yet tasty salad, often served in herbed olive oil.
• Grilled Apricot, Arugula, and Goat Cheese Salad: A unique combination of smoky grilled apricots, tangy goat cheese, arugula, and a toasted pine nut dressing.
• Antipasto Salad with Bocconcini and Green-Olive Tapenade: A bold salad with iceberg lettuce, milky mozzarella, pepperoncini, salami, and salty olives.

Condiments

Mustard

Mustard is a classic condiment that pairs well with sharp cheddar or Alpine cheeses like Gruyere and Emmental. Go for Dijon, spicy brown, or whole grain mustard.

Hot Sauce

Add a few lashings of hot sauce to your sandwich for a tangy, spicy kick. Try sriracha, sambal, harissa, or other hot pepper-based condiments.

Jam, Jelly, and Preserves

The sweet, tart, and fruity flavours of jams, jellies, and preserves go well with cheese. Try to match the intensity of the preserve so it doesn't overwhelm the cheese and vice versa. Sour cherry preserve, for example, pairs well with Gruyère.

Horseradish

Horseradish is a spicy condiment that goes well with roast beef sandwiches. It pairs nicely with rich cuts of beef and can also be used in a steak sandwich.

Kimchi

Kimchi is a funky Korean condiment made from fermented vegetables, often cabbage. It's a great way to add spice and tang to your sandwich.

Tapenade

Tapenade is a briny condiment made from olives, peppers, and anchovies, often with other ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes or fresh basil. It adds tons of flavour to sandwiches, especially salami sandwiches or spicy Italian subs.

Hummus

Hummus provides excellent texture and flavour to sandwiches. It goes well with veggies, avocado, deli meat, or grilled meats. There are also many flavours to choose from, such as roasted red pepper, sundried tomato, or roasted garlic.

Pesto

Pesto is a bright green sauce made from pine nuts, basil, parmesan, and olive oil. It pairs well with mozzarella, lemon juice, artichoke, asparagus, eggplant, bell peppers, and more.

Hot Pepper Jelly

If you like sweet and spicy flavours, hot pepper jelly is a great option. It pairs well with cream cheese, gouda, turkey, ham, pulled pork, and bacon.

BBQ Sauce

While commonly used on BBQ chicken or pulled pork sandwiches, BBQ sauce can also be used on cold sandwiches. Try it on a cold chicken salad sandwich, or make an Island-style grilled cheese with BBQ sauce, cheese, red onion, and pineapple.

Guacamole

Guacamole can bring out the flavour of other ingredients in your sandwich. Try it in a grilled cheese with pepper jack, or in a BLT with bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, a fried egg, and guacamole.

Soups

There are many soup and sandwich combinations that feature cheese as a key ingredient. Here are some ideas for soups that go well with a cheese sandwich:

Tomato Soup

The classic combination of a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup is hard to beat. You can elevate this combination by using a mixture of cheeses in your sandwich or dipping your sandwich in the soup. For an extra creamy soup, try adding some milk or blending sharp cheddar into the soup.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup is a versatile option that pairs well with a simple grilled cheese sandwich. You can also try a grilled ham and cheese sandwich for a heartier meal.

Butternut Squash Soup

A roasted butternut squash soup is a great option for a chilly day. Its slightly sweet and creamy flavour pairs well with a traditional club sandwich. For an extra special touch, serve your club sandwich with all the fixings.

Leek and Potato Soup

Leek and potato soup can be left chunky or blended smooth, but the real star is the crunchy garnish on top. This soup goes well with a chicken salad sandwich, especially if you add some crunch with ingredients like sliced avocado or crispy bacon.

French Onion Soup

French onion soup is a bistro classic that is surprisingly simple to make at home. It pairs well with a hearty roast beef sandwich, especially if you add grilled scallions, arugula, and jalapeños for some extra flavour.

Black Bean Soup

For a Southwestern twist, try pairing black bean soup with a chicken quesadilla. The soup is protein-rich and vegan, while the quesadillas add some crunch and sweetness from the sweet potato.

Clam Chowder

Clam chowder is a New England staple that is perfect for seafood lovers. It goes well with a blackened fish sandwich, which will add a sharp, spicy kick to your meal.

Gazpacho

Gazpacho is a refreshing summer soup that pairs well with a prosciutto and mozzarella panini. The warm sandwich will complement the cool soup, making this combination perfect for any time of year.

Broccoli-Cheddar Soup

Broccoli-Cheddar soup is a classic, comforting option that will complement any sandwich. It's an excellent choice to pair with a grilled cheese sandwich, especially if you like your soup chunky.

Lobster Roll

For a real treat, pair a lobster roll with a creamy potato and sweet corn chowder. The rich, buttery flavours of the lobster will be balanced by the sweetness of the corn and the creaminess of the soup.

Matzo Ball Soup

Matzo ball soup is a comforting and symbolic dish often enjoyed during Passover. It pairs perfectly with a classic Reuben sandwich, which has corned beef, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese on rye bread.

Autumn Squash Soup

This sweet and creamy soup is a great option for fall. Pair it with a ham and cheese sandwich, especially if you have some leftover ham. Don't forget the pickles for crunch!

Frequently asked questions