The Perfect Cheese For A Turkey Sandwich

Turkey sandwiches are a versatile dish, and there are endless possibilities when it comes to creating the perfect one. The type of cheese you choose for your sandwich is essential, as it can make or break the overall flavour. While some prefer a simple cheddar or Swiss cheese, others might opt for something more adventurous like gorgonzola or Gruyère. If you're feeling creative, you can even experiment with different types of bread, condiments, and toppings to take your sandwich to the next level.

Popular cheese choices

There are many popular cheese choices to pair with turkey sandwiches. The best cheese for you will depend on your personal preference, the type of bread you are using, and the flavour of your turkey.

Mild Cheeses

If your turkey is packed with flavour or is smoky, a mild young cheese is the best pairing. Some popular options include:

• Edam
• Monterey Jack
• Havarti
• Provolone Dolce

Complex Cheeses

If your turkey is more subtle, you can opt for a slightly more complex cheese. Some options include:

• Pecorino Romano
• Provolone Piccante
• Pepper Jack
• Asiago

Blue Cheeses

If you are feeling adventurous, you could try a mild blue cheese such as:

• Gorgonzola Dolce
• Cambozola

Robust, Washed Rind Cheeses

If your turkey is mild, you could try a robust, washed rind cheese. Some semi-hard examples include:

• Gruyère
• Raclette
• Fontina
• Beaufort

Bread types

When it comes to bread, personal preference plays a big role. However, there are some types of bread that are more popular than others for turkey sandwiches.

White bread is a common choice, especially for children. It is usually softer, which makes it easier to eat. Baguettes are also a good option, as they provide a nice texture contrast to the turkey. If you're looking for something with more flavour, rye bread is a great choice. It pairs well with turkey, especially if you add some toppings like kraut, pickles, and mustard.

For post-Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches, using leftover bread from the dinner is a popular choice. This can include leftover rolls, bread stuffing, or even sweet bread similar to Hawaiian bread, such as pan de sal. If you're looking for something to buy from the store, Pepperidge Farm white or sourdough bread is a good option.

If you want to add some crunch to your sandwich, opt for a bread with a thicker crust. Toasting or grilling the sandwich can also add a nice texture. In this case, a dense bread like whole wheat or sourdough will hold up better.

Ultimately, the type of bread you choose will depend on your personal preference and the other ingredients in your sandwich. If you want a softer texture, go for softer breads like white bread. If you want a harder texture to contrast with softer turkey, choose a baguette or a harder bread like rye. For a more complex flavour profile, opt for sourdough or rye.

Condiments

If you're making a hot turkey and cheese sandwich, you can add some Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and onion powder to your butter before spreading it on the bread. This will give your sandwich a nice salty flavour and an extra punch.

For a true Italian-style sandwich, try making a basil pesto aioli by mixing mayonnaise with basil pesto. This will add a lot of flavour to your sandwich. If you're using sliced sandwich bread, be sure to spread the pesto mayo on both slices of bread for even distribution.

Toppings

When it comes to toppings, the possibilities are endless for turkey sandwiches. You can keep it simple with just cheese and turkey, or dress it up with all sorts of flavour combinations.

For a simple, classic sandwich, you can't go wrong with cheddar cheese. It's tasty, melts easily, and pairs well with turkey. If you want to add a little zing, try pepper jack cheese. If you're feeling adventurous, a robust washed-rind cheese like Gruyère, Raclette, or Fontina will add a more pronounced flavour to your sandwich.

If you're looking for something more mild, a young Provolone Dolce or Edam, Monterey Jack, and Havarti are great choices. These cheeses will pair fabulously with your turkey without overpowering it. For a sandwich with a kick, try adding a little horseradish between the turkey and cheese slices, especially if you're using a milder cheese like gouda.

For a more complex flavour profile, you can add a slightly more mature cheese such as Asiago, Pecorino Romano, Provolone Piccante, or Pepper Jack. If you're feeling extra adventurous, crumble in a mild blue cheese like Gorgonzola Dolce or Cambozola to add a little spice to your sandwich.

To elevate your sandwich even further, consider adding toppings like avocado, bacon, or pesto. If you're using a mild cheese, a generous layer of cranberry sauce can add a nice sweetness to your sandwich. Crisp lettuce and fresh tomatoes are always a popular choice, and don't forget to season with salt and pepper!

Hot vs cold

When it comes to turkey sandwiches, there are endless possibilities. But the question remains: which cheese goes best with a hot or cold turkey sandwich?

For a hot turkey sandwich, the cheese should be meltable and have a strong flavour. Cheddar is a classic choice that melts easily and pairs well with turkey. If you're looking for something with a little more kick, pepper jack cheese or gouda are great options. When making a hot turkey sandwich, it's best to put the turkey slices between two slices of cheese so that as the cheese melts, it holds the turkey in place.

On the other hand, a cold turkey sandwich calls for a different type of cheese. Provolone is a popular choice for Italian-style sandwiches as it has a strong flavour and slices well. Other options include American cheese, mozzarella, or cheddar. For a cold sandwich, it's important to slice the cheese thinly so that it doesn't overpower the other ingredients.

Ultimately, the choice of cheese depends on personal preference and the other ingredients used. If you're looking for a mild flavour, a young cheese like Edam or Monterey Jack is a good option. But if you want something more complex, a mature cheese like Asiago or Pecorino Romano will add a depth of flavour to your sandwich.

Frequently asked questions