The Perfect Cheese For A Turkey Sandwich

Turkey sandwiches are a versatile meal, perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. The type of cheese you choose for your sandwich will depend on the flavour of your turkey and other ingredients. If your turkey is packed with flavour or smoky, a mild, young cheese is best. Some great options include Edam, Monterey Jack, and Havarti. If you're looking for a cheese to elevate your turkey, try Provolone Dolce. On the other hand, if your turkey is more subtle, you can opt for a slightly more complex cheese, such as Pecorino Romano, Provolone Piccante, Pepper Jack, or Asiago.

Provolone, Swiss, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or Havarti

There are many types of cheese that go well on a turkey sandwich, including Provolone, Swiss, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, and Havarti. Here is some more information about these cheeses and how they can be used in a turkey sandwich:

Provolone

Provolone is a mild-flavoured Italian cheese that melts well, making it a good choice for a grilled turkey sandwich. It pairs well with other ingredients such as chutney, basil, and tomato.

Swiss

Swiss cheese is a popular choice for sandwiches as it goes well with most meats. It has a mild flavour and can be melted or kept unmelted. Swiss cheese can be paired with various ingredients, such as turkey, tomato, and butter.

Cheddar

Cheddar cheese is a versatile option that can be used in many different types of turkey sandwiches. It can be melted or unmelted, shredded or sliced, and paired with various ingredients such as turkey, bread, and salad.

Monterey Jack

Monterey Jack is a type of cheese that melts well and is often paired with turkey, bacon, avocado, and pickled jalapeños to make a grilled cheese sandwich.

Colby Jack

Colby Jack is a variety of cheddar cheese with a mild flavour and a tangy, zesty twist. It goes well with turkey, spinach, tomato, cucumber, and Italian dressing on a multigrain roll.

Havarti

Havarti is a mild and mellow-tasting cheese that melts well, making it a popular choice for grilled turkey sandwiches. It pairs well with pesto, tomato, and sourdough bread.

Mild young cheese with a smoky turkey sandwich

A mild young cheese is the best pairing for a smoky turkey sandwich. This is because the last thing you want to do is overload your taste buds. A young provolone, such as Provolone Dolce, is a great choice for smoky turkey. Provolone is a pasta filata (stretched curd) cheese that originates from Campania, in southern Italy. Made with full-fat cow's milk, Provolone is initially too soft to store on shelves, so the affineur hangs the cheese using ropes, which leads to its unique shape. The cheese is then matured for 2 months (dolce) and has hints of nuts with savoury undertones and a sweet finish.

Other mild young cheeses that pair well with smoky turkey include Edam, Monterey Jack, and Havarti. Edam and Havarti are also excellent choices for a grilled turkey sandwich, creating a slightly looser and runnier texture.

When making a turkey sandwich, the type of bread is important. Soft white bread or wholemeal bread works best, and a thick, dense bread will hold all the ingredients together better. A thicker crust will also elevate the texture of the sandwich if you choose to toast or grill it.

Condiments such as cranberry sauce, mayonnaise, butter, mustard, and avocado are popular additions to a turkey sandwich. Bacon, lettuce, and tomato are also common toppings that can add a nice contrast of flavours and textures.

Complex, mature cheeses with subtle turkey

If you're looking for a more complex cheese to pair with a subtle turkey, there are several options to consider. Firstly, Asiago, a mountain-style cheese from Veneto in Italy, is an excellent choice. Its flavour ranges from sweet and buttery to tangy with a salty aftertaste, adding depth to your sandwich. Another option is Pecorino Romano, a cheese with a strong, salty flavour that will enhance your subtle turkey. For a spicy kick, Pepper Jack is a great choice, adding a little heat to your sandwich.

If you're feeling adventurous, you could also try a mild blue cheese like Gorgonzola Dolce or Cambozola. These cheeses have a more subtle spice than their stronger counterparts like Stilton and Roquefort, but they will still add a nice kick to your sandwich. Combining these complex cheeses with a milder option like Edam or Havarti can also create a delicious pairing.

When it comes to bread, a thick, dense option like sourdough or whole wheat will hold your ingredients together better. Toasting or grilling your sandwich can also add a nice texture, especially if you choose a bread with a thicker crust. For condiments, consider butter or mayonnaise, depending on your preference. Adding avocado will give your sandwich a soft texture, while cranberry sauce will provide sweetness and moisture to complement your complex cheese and subtle turkey.

Robust, washed-rind cheeses with mild turkey

If you're looking for a cheese to pair with mild turkey, you might want to consider a robust, washed-rind cheese. These cheeses are known for their bold flavours, distinctive aromas, and rich histories. Here are some options to consider:

Epoisses

This washed-rind cheese from Burgundy, France, is renowned for its robust flavour and creamy texture. Epoisses is crafted from cow's milk and offers a distinctive sweet-and-salty taste profile, with intriguing notes of caramel and mushrooms. Its aroma is strong and meaty, thanks to its maturation process, which involves washing the cheese in local brandy, Marc de Bourgogne. As it ages, Epoisses becomes delightfully runny, providing a unique sensory experience. Enjoy it with a crusty baguette, cured meats, or pickles, and pair it with a full-bodied Burgundy or crisp Champagne.

Beaufort

Beaufort is a highly esteemed hard cheese that originates from the scenic alpine region of Savoie in France. This washed-rind cheese is made from the milk of Tarine or Abondance cows that graze on lush mountain pastures. Beaufort has a complex flavour profile that evolves with maturity, offering notes of butter, fruit, and a hint of honey. It boasts a firm yet supple texture, with a thick, natural rind encasing its pale yellow interior. Its concave wheel shape was designed for easier transportation down the mountains. Beaufort is versatile and can be used in various dishes, but it truly shines on a cheese board, paired with full-bodied red wines.

Muenster

Muenster is a smooth, semi-soft cheese with roots tracing back to the French Alsace region, though it's now produced in the United States as well. As a washed-rind cheese, it undergoes regular washings in a solution of water and bacteria, giving it a mild yet distinct aroma. Its flavour ranges from mild when young to robust and tangy when aged. Muenster has a creamy, buttery texture that melts beautifully, making it a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, or as a pizza topping. However, it's also delightful on its own or paired with a light beer or Riesling wine.

Limburger

Limburger is a semi-soft, washed-rind cheese with a history tracing back to the historical Duchy of Limburg, spanning Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. Despite its reputation for having a strong, pungent odour, Limburger has a surprisingly mild, tangy, and slightly grassy flavour. It has a creamy to pale yellow colour, often with a darker orange rind. While it's known for its unique aroma, those who appreciate "smelly" cheeses like Brie often enjoy its intriguing character. Limburger works well in sandwiches or melted on potatoes, and it pairs nicely with medium-bodied red wines like Merlot.

When pairing robust, washed-rind cheeses with mild turkey, consider the balance of flavours and textures to create a delightful culinary experience.

Melty cheese

Cheddar cheese is a popular choice for a turkey sandwich. Its sharp, nutty flavour and smooth, creamy texture make it a perfect melting cheese. When melted, cheddar becomes gooey and stretchy, making it ideal for a grilled turkey sandwich. It pairs well with other sandwich ingredients such as avocado, bacon, and tomato.

Provolone is another excellent melting cheese for a turkey sandwich. It has a mild, nutty flavour with savoury undertones and a sweet finish. Provolone melts beautifully, adding a creamy texture to the sandwich. It is a great choice for grilled sandwiches as it holds its shape well.

Monterey Jack, also known as Colby Jack, is a mild and slightly sweet cheese that melts easily. It has a creamy texture and a subtle tang, making it a good match for turkey. Monterey Jack can also be found in spicy varieties, such as Pepper Jack, which adds a kick to the sandwich.

Havarti is a mild, buttery cheese that melts exceptionally well. It has a creamy texture and a slightly tangy flavour, making it a perfect complement to turkey. Havarti can be found in various flavours, such as dill or jalapeño, which can add an extra layer of interest to the sandwich.

Swiss cheese, also known as Baby Swiss, is a popular choice for turkey sandwiches. It has a mild, nutty flavour and a semi-soft texture that melts easily. Swiss cheese adds a creamy, savoury element to the sandwich without overwhelming the other ingredients. It pairs well with turkey, whether the sandwich is served cold or grilled.

Frequently asked questions