Delicious Pairings To Elevate Your Ham And Cheese Sandwich

Ham and cheese sandwiches are a staple in the American lunchbox repertoire, but what do you serve with them? The answer is simple: potato chips! But if you want to get a little fancier, you can try making your own chip dip with cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch dressing mix. For a healthier option, serve them with celery, baby carrots, and other easy-to-dip vegetables. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even make your own dill pickles to go with your ham sandwiches.

But what about drinks? Iced tea is a classic pairing with salty ham sandwiches, and you can easily make your own at home. If you're looking for something a little sweeter, lemonade is always a refreshing choice. And of course, you can't go wrong with a nice cold beer.

Bread options

The bread you choose for your ham and cheese sandwich can make or break the entire experience. The most important feature to look for when choosing bread for this sandwich is slices with a flat surface area so the bread will have direct contact with the skillet for even toasting. This is no time to play around with a roll or baguette.

If you're feeling fancy, you can opt for a sub roll, which is crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. Alternatively, a baguette, ciabatta roll, or sourdough bread would also work well. If you're looking for something more rustic, slices of a round boule are a great choice, yielding larger slices than standard square sandwich bread.

For a more classic option, go with wholemeal seeded bread, which adds texture and flavour to the otherwise simple sandwich. Marble rye or pumpernickel bread slices would also add a nice twist to your sandwich.

If you're making a grilled cheese and ham sandwich, the bread thickness matters. Keep the slices to about 1/2-inch thick. Any thicker, and the bread will be too chewy and distracting from the tender filling.

Lastly, if you're serving your ham and cheese sandwich cold, you have more flexibility with your bread choices. You can use sliced bread, a roll, or even a baguette, depending on your preference.

Cheese choices

There are many different types of cheese that pair well with ham, and the best choice will depend on your personal preference. Here are some popular options:

• Swiss Cheese – This is a classic choice to pair with ham due to its slightly sweet and nutty flavour. It also melts well, making it ideal for grilled sandwiches.
• Gruyère – A type of Swiss cheese with a bold flavour and excellent melting properties. Its strong taste means a little goes a long way, so it's perfect if you want a big impact from thin slices.
• Cheddar – Cheddar is a versatile option that works well with ham. A mature, sharp or aged cheddar will add a tangy, salty flavour to your sandwich.
• Red Leicester – This British cheese has a strong, nutty flavour that can add a distinctive taste to your sandwich.
• Provolone – Provolone is a mild and creamy cheese with a smoky undertone. It goes well with ham, especially when toasted or grilled.
• Mozzarella – Mozzarella is another mild, melty cheese that can add a creamy texture to your sandwich.
• American Cheese – This processed cheese product is a popular choice for sandwiches due to its smooth texture and mild flavour.

When selecting a cheese to pair with ham, look for one that has a strong flavour to balance the saltiness of the ham. Melty cheeses are also ideal, especially if you plan to toast or grill your sandwich.

Condiments

Mayonnaise is another popular choice, adding a creamy texture and tangy flavour. Some recipes suggest spreading mayonnaise on the outside of the sandwich, as well as the inside, for extra flavour and to help the sandwich brown when toasted. Butter is also a popular choice for the outside of the sandwich, with some recipes suggesting a combination of butter and mayonnaise for the perfect golden, crispy exterior.

If you're feeling adventurous, you could try making a flavoured mayonnaise such as a Calabrian chilli pepper aioli, or mixing your mustard with apricot preserves for a touch of sweetness.

Ketchup is another classic condiment that pairs well with the salty ham and can add a touch of sweetness, especially when paired with the right type of fries on the side.

Finally, don't forget to season your sandwich with salt and pepper to taste.

Sides

There are many sides that can accompany a ham and cheese sandwich. Here are some suggestions:

Chips and Dips

The classic side to a sandwich is, of course, a packet of potato chips. But why not elevate this simple side by making some homemade dips? A creamy, tangy chip dip can be made with just three ingredients: cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch dressing mix. Alternatively, you could make some guacamole with avocado, jalapeno, red onion, garlic, cilantro, and tomato.

Pickles

Dill pickles are a great side to a ham and cheese sandwich. You can even make your own by brining coin-shaped or spear-shaped slices in a mixture of water, vinegar, salt, sugar, horseradish, dill, garlic, peppercorns, and bay leaves.

Fries

If you're looking for something a little more indulgent, truffle fries are a great option. Hand-cut russet potatoes flavoured with parmesan, sea salt, and truffle oil are a delicious side to a ham and cheese sandwich. Or, for something a little healthier, try oven-baked sweet potato fries.

Salads

A simple slaw is a great side to a ham and cheese sandwich. For something a little fancier, you could try a Portillo's chopped salad, or a classic macaroni salad with bell peppers, sweet pickles, and red onion. Fruit salad is also a fun and colourful option, especially for kids.

Soups

A bowl of soup can be a great accompaniment to a sandwich. Why not try a classic like tomato soup, or loaded baked potato soup? Or, for something a little different, how about a classic New England creamy clam chowder?

To toast or not to toast

Toasting a sandwich is a great way to elevate a simple ham and cheese sandwich. Toasting adds a new dimension of texture and flavour to the sandwich, creating a warm and comforting meal.

There are several ways to toast a ham and cheese sandwich. One popular method is to use a skillet or frying pan, spreading butter or mayonnaise on the outside of the sandwich and cooking it over medium heat until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Another option is to use a toastie machine, sandwich press, or panini press for a pressed sandwich with an even crispness. For a more indulgent option, try spreading grated Parmesan cheese on the outside of the sandwich before toasting it in a skillet, creating a super-crisp, cheesy crust.

When deciding whether to toast or not to toast, consider the type of bread and cheese being used. Toasting works best with flat slices of bread that will have direct contact with the cooking surface, such as rustic artisanal bread or marble rye. Thicker slices of bread may become too chewy when toasted. For the cheese, choose a variety that melts well, such as Swiss cheese, Gruyère, or cheddar. If using a block of cheddar, it may be easier to purchase pre-sliced cheese from the deli to achieve thin slices.

Toasting a ham and cheese sandwich can also affect the order in which the ingredients are layered. For a toasted sandwich, it is recommended to spread mayonnaise on the exterior of the bread and mustard on the interior. This creates a tangy flavour and helps to "glue" the sandwich together. For an untoasted sandwich, simply omit the mayonnaise on the exterior and follow the same layering order for the other ingredients.

Whether you choose to toast or not to toast your ham and cheese sandwich, the key to a great sandwich is using high-quality ingredients and experimenting with different combinations to find your perfect ratio.

Frequently asked questions