Pastrami's Perfect Cheese Pairings: Finding The Right Flavor Balance

Pastrami is a flavourful, cured meat made from beef or pork and is often served in sandwiches. While some people prefer their pastrami sandwiches without cheese, there are several types of cheese that can complement the salty, smoky flavour of pastrami. These include Swiss cheese, provolone, mozzarella, gouda, brie, feta, Monterey Jack, smoked gouda, fontina, muenster, colby jack, white sharp cheddar, gouda, havarti, blue cheese, Roquefort, Stilton, bleu d'Auvergne, gruyere, Comte, emmental, and jarlsberg.

Characteristics of Cheese for Pastrami

Swiss cheese: a mild white cheese that goes well with pastrami

Swiss cheese is a mild white cheese that goes well with pastrami. It is a good choice for those who want to add cheese to their pastrami sandwich without overwhelming the other ingredients. Swiss cheese has a subtle flavour and a semi-soft texture, which makes it ideal for melting.

When making a pastrami sandwich, it is important to use high-quality ingredients. The bread should be a good quality rye, either soft and sweet or seeded, and the pastrami should be freshly made and high-quality, preferably from a local deli. If you want to add cheese, Swiss is a classic choice. Its mild flavour won't overpower the pastrami, and its meltability adds a creamy texture to the sandwich.

While some people prefer their pastrami sandwiches without cheese, Swiss cheese is a popular choice for those who want to add an extra layer of flavour. It pairs well with the other traditional ingredients in a pastrami sandwich, such as sauerkraut, mustard, and Thousand Island dressing. The saltiness of the pastrami is balanced by the mildness of the Swiss cheese, creating a delicious and harmonious sandwich.

Swiss cheese is also a versatile choice, as it can be used in both hot and cold sandwiches. It melts easily, making it ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches or melted on top of hot pastrami. Its mild flavour also means it won't overwhelm any other ingredients in the sandwich, allowing the pastrami to remain the star of the show.

So, if you're looking for a cheese to pair with your pastrami, consider Swiss cheese. Its mild flavour, meltability, and versatility make it a great choice for pastrami sandwiches, adding a subtle yet delicious flavour to this classic dish.

Provolone: a mild, creamy cheese that's a popular choice for pastrami sandwiches

Provolone is a popular choice of cheese to pair with pastrami. It is a mild, creamy cheese with a semi-soft texture that melts easily, making it a great option for hot pastrami sandwiches. Its creamy texture and mild flavour complement the smokiness and saltiness of pastrami, creating a well-rounded and flavourful sandwich.

Provolone is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, from sandwiches to soups. When melted, it adds a rich, slightly nutty flavour to the pastrami. Its high melting point makes it ideal for grilling, as it won't break down too quickly when heated. This makes it a popular choice for grilled pastrami sandwiches.

The key to a great pastrami sandwich is the quality of the ingredients and the technique used to assemble the sandwich. Provolone cheese, with its mild flavour and creamy texture, is a perfect complement to the other traditional ingredients, such as rye bread, sauerkraut, and mustard. The cheese adds a layer of richness and tanginess to the sandwich, enhancing the overall flavour profile.

While some traditionalists may argue that a classic pastrami sandwich should not include cheese, many people enjoy the addition of provolone for its ability to enhance the other ingredients without overwhelming them. Its mild flavour and creamy texture make it a versatile cheese that can be paired with a variety of other ingredients, such as caraway seeds, Thousand Island dressing, and coleslaw or potato salad.

Provolone is a popular choice for those who want to add cheese to their pastrami sandwich, and its availability in deli counters at grocery stores makes it an accessible option for those looking to create a delicious and satisfying pastrami sandwich at home.

Mozzarella: a mild, soft cheese that can be used as a substitute for Swiss or Provolone

Mozzarella is a mild, soft cheese that can be used as a substitute for Swiss or Provolone in a pastrami sandwich. It has a delicate flavour and won't overpower the pastrami, creating a well-balanced sandwich.

Mozzarella is a good choice for those who want a milder taste, as stronger flavours like cheddar can sometimes overwhelm the pastrami. Its soft texture also pairs well with the smokiness and saltiness of the meat.

When making a pastrami sandwich with mozzarella, it's important to use high-quality ingredients, especially for the pastrami and bread. Traditional pastrami sandwiches are served on rye bread, but you can also use a soft sweet brioche bun, regular or seeded hamburger buns, or a Jewish rye bun.

To assemble the sandwich, grill the bread with butter on a flattop grill or pan until toasted. Add the pastrami, sauerkraut, and any desired toppings or condiments, such as mustard or thousand island dressing. Finally, place the mozzarella on the pastrami and grill until the cheese has melted.

Mozzarella is a versatile cheese that can be used in various dishes, and its mild flavour and soft texture make it a perfect complement to pastrami sandwiches.

Brie: a soft, mild, and nutty cheese that adds an extra layer of buttery richness

Brie is a soft cheese that originated in France. Its creamy texture and mild, nutty flavour make it a great pairing for pastrami. The delicate flavour of Brie adds an extra layer of buttery richness to the saltiness of pastrami.

Brie has a mild, earthy flavour with slightly nutty undertones. Its semi-soft interior melts wonderfully when paired with hot pastrami. The cheese is best served at room temperature, so it's important to let it sit out before serving if you usually keep your cheeses chilled.

Pastrami is a robust and savoury deli meat made from cured beef or pork. It has a salty flavour and a smoky aroma. The addition of Brie helps to mellow out and balance the burnt, smoky flavours of pastrami, while also adding a creamy texture.

When it comes to choosing the right cheese to serve with pastrami, the colour of the cheese is an important factor. Lighter-coloured cheeses, such as Brie, are typically milder in flavour and provide a nice contrast to the rich, intense flavour of pastrami.

While some people prefer their pastrami without cheese, adding Brie can take your pastrami sandwich to the next level. The creamy, nutty flavour of Brie complements the smokiness of pastrami, creating a well-rounded and indulgent taste experience.

So, if you're looking for a cheese to elevate your pastrami sandwich, consider Brie—a soft, mild, and nutty cheese that adds an extra layer of buttery richness.

Feta: a salty and creamy cheese that gives your sandwich a familiar flavor

Feta is a classic Mediterranean cheese that has become increasingly popular in North America. It is typically made from sheep and goat's milk, although some varieties are made with cow's milk. Feta has a salty yet creamy flavour and is a popular salad topping. However, feta also works well grilled or melted and is a great choice for a pastrami sandwich.

Feta's salty flavour complements the saltiness of pastrami nicely, and its crumbly texture adds a rich and exciting twist to pastrami sandwiches. It pairs well with dark rye bread and pastrami, creating a classic combination of salt and richness.

When adding feta to a pastrami sandwich, consider grilling or melting the cheese to add an interesting texture. You can also experiment with different types of bread, such as dark rye, to enhance the flavour profile of your sandwich.

While feta can be a delicious addition to a pastrami sandwich, it's important to note that its saltiness combined with the saltiness of pastrami might be too much for some palates. To balance the flavours, consider adding other ingredients like crunchy vegetables or tangy sauces.

Overall, feta cheese is a versatile and flavourful option that can elevate your pastrami sandwich, giving it a familiar yet intriguing taste.

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