Cheese And Roast Beef: The Perfect Pairing

There are many types of cheese that go well with roast beef, and the best option for you will depend on your personal preferences and the format of your dish. For a roast beef sandwich, you might choose a soft, melty cheese like provolone, gouda, or havarti. If you're making a platter, you might prefer a hard cheese like aged cheddar or manchego. Other popular options include Swiss, blue cheese, and pepper jack.

Sharp cheddar with roast beef sandwiches

Aged cheddar is a popular choice of cheese to pair with roast beef. The sharp flavour and creamy texture of aged cheddar complement the beef's richness, creating a well-balanced bite. When making a roast beef sandwich, a sharp cheddar adds a tangy flavour contrast, especially when paired with bakery-style bread.

Ingredients

• Sharp cheddar cheese
• Roast beef
• Bread of your choice (bakery-style bread or Kaiser buns are recommended)
• Optional: vegetables, sauces, and seasonings of your choice

Instructions

• Start by slicing the roast beef. It is recommended to use a sharp knife, a mandolin, or a meat slicer to get thin slices.
• If desired, prepare any additional ingredients such as vegetables, sauces, or seasonings.
• Assemble the sandwich by placing the cheese and any desired toppings or sauces on the bread, followed by the sliced roast beef.
• If you are using vegetables, you can add them before or after the roast beef, depending on your preference.
• Enjoy your sharp cheddar roast beef sandwich!

Feel free to experiment with different types of bread, toppings, and seasonings to create your own signature roast beef sandwich.

Swiss cheese for nutty, slightly sweet flavours

Swiss cheese is an excellent choice for roast beef sandwiches, introducing a layer of complexity with its nutty and slightly sweet flavour profile. It is a sophisticated choice that elevates the sandwich to a refined experience. Its firm yet creamy texture melts nicely, binding the ingredients together.

Swiss cheese is often the go-to pairing for roast beef in deli-style sandwiches. Its subtle sweetness and hint of salt provide an excellent counterpoint to the rich meat. Try it in a warm roast beef melt for an exceptionally tasty sandwich.

Swiss cheese's nutty sharpness balances the savoury flavours of the beef well. Its distinct flavour profile and texture make it a great choice for a roast beef melt sandwich.

For a harmonious pairing, it is important to consider the intensity and texture of the cheese in relation to the richness of the roast beef. Swiss cheese's nutty and slightly sweet flavours complement the savoury, rich flavours of roast beef without overwhelming them. Its firm yet creamy texture makes it ideal for melting, binding the sandwich ingredients together.

Blue cheese for a bold, pungent flavour

Blue cheese is a pungent and intense option that can add a bold kick to your roast beef sandwich. Its strong flavour profile can transform an ordinary sandwich into an extraordinary one.

When adding blue cheese to your roast beef sandwich, a little goes a long way. You want the beef to be the star of the show, so be careful not to overpower it with too much blue cheese. A light sprinkling of blue cheese crumbles on an open-faced hot sandwich or melt can really kick things up a notch. For a roast beef salad or plank, a drizzle of blue cheese dressing pairs wonderfully with the meat. If you're serving an appetizer platter, include some blue cheese chunks or a blue cheese spread alongside the sliced roast beef for your guests to enjoy.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can also try another type of blue cheese—gorgonzola. This cheese offers a very bold and potent flavour that can stand up to the intensity of roast beef. Its blue veining provides an instant flavour pop with a sharpness that complements the meat. For an appetizer board, add some crumbled gorgonzola to pair with your sliced roast beef, grapes, pecans and crackers. Or, make a gourmet roast beef, arugula and gorgonzola sandwich melt—the flavour combination is absolute perfection.

Provolone for a smooth, mild flavour

Provolone is an excellent choice of cheese for a roast beef sandwich, offering a smooth, mild flavour that blends wonderfully with the beef. It is a natural fit for paninis, melts, or even your standard sliced sandwich.

Provolone is a mild-tasting cheese that is very enjoyable with roast beef, especially in sandwiches. The soft cheese and tender meat create a harmonious textural interplay, with the provolone's meltability binding the ingredients into a cohesive and satisfying sandwich.

For an Italian flair, provolone is the perfect choice. Its slightly sweet and very creamy flavour when melted pairs beautifully with the beef, without being overpowering. The mild flavour of provolone allows the beef's flavour to shine through, creating a well-balanced sandwich.

Provolone is also a good melting cheese, which can add a comforting warmth to your sandwich. Its mild taste melds seamlessly with the beef, resulting in a gooey delight that enhances every bite.

If you're looking for a more mature flavour, aged provolone provides a more intense and complex flavour. This variety offers a bit more bite and is a great way to add some extra depth to your sandwich.

Monterey Jack for a creamy texture and mild flavour

When making a hot roast beef dish like a casserole, nachos or heated sandwich, Monterey Jack is an excellent cheese to use. Its creamy texture and mild flavour melt beautifully, creating a luxurious and cohesive sandwich experience.

Shredded Monterey Jack blends with roast beef seamlessly, enveloping the meat in a gooey goodness. When topped with Monterey Jack slices, the heat from the beef helps to soften and lightly brown the cheese into a decadent crown. Whether you're making a cheesy roast beef baked pasta, nachos or cheesesteak-style sandwich, Monterey Jack rarely disappoints.

For an indulgent contrast, opt for a soft cheese like Monterey Jack to provide a luxurious counterpoint to the tender beef. Its meltability is also a bonus, binding the ingredients together into a comforting roast beef dish.

If you're looking for a cheese to pair with roast beef, consider Monterey Jack. Its creamy texture and mild flavour make it a versatile option that will enhance the beef without overwhelming it.

Frequently asked questions