Cheese And Turkey: The Perfect Pairing

Turkey is a versatile meat that can be enjoyed in many ways, but what kind of cheese goes best with it? Whether you're making a sandwich or a cheeseboard, there are several cheeses that pair well with turkey. For sandwiches, Swiss cheese, provolone, and cheddar are popular choices that can be melted or served cold. Other options include Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Colby Jack, mozzarella, and American cheese. If you're feeling adventurous, try a mild blue cheese like Gorgonzola Dolce or a semi-hard washed rind cheese like Gruyère. When creating a cheeseboard to accompany a roast turkey, brie, gouda, cranberry goat cheese, cheddar, Swiss, blue cheese, and camembert are all excellent choices that will complement the flavours of the bird.

Brie, Camembert, and other soft cheeses

Camembert, similar to Brie, is another soft and creamy cheese that goes well with turkey. Its rich and slightly earthy flavour can enhance your Thanksgiving spread or cheese platter. Like Brie, Camembert's soft texture and subtle flavour make it an excellent choice for those who want their cheese to complement, rather than overpower, the taste of turkey.

When it comes to cheese and turkey sandwiches, soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert can add a delightful creaminess to your stack. To elevate your sandwich, consider grilling or toasting it to achieve a melty, oozy texture. Just remember to keep the heat low and gentle to avoid scorching the cheese.

For a truly indulgent experience, consider a triple cream cheese. With a higher butterfat content, these cheeses offer an even richer and creamier mouthfeel. They pair beautifully with the savoury notes of turkey, creating a luxurious bite that will impress your taste buds.

Ultimately, the best cheese to pair with turkey depends on your personal preference and the specific dish you're preparing. However, if you're a fan of soft cheeses, Brie, Camembert, and other similar varieties are excellent options to consider, whether you're creating a cheese platter or building a mouth-watering sandwich.

Swiss, provolone, and cheddar

Swiss cheese has a nutty and mild flavour that won't overwhelm the taste of turkey. It works well in turkey sandwiches or as a melted topping on hot turkey dishes. If you're making a sandwich, try using imported (sharp) Swiss cheese. For a hot dish, melting Swiss cheese on top of the turkey will create a delicious combination.

Provolone is a pasta filata (stretched curd) cheese that originates from Campania, in southern Italy. It is made with full-fat cow's milk and has a unique shape due to being hung with ropes during the maturing process. Provolone has a mild, nutty flavour with savoury undertones and a sweet finish, making it a great pairing with turkey. It is one of the best cheeses for Italian-style sandwiches and melts nicely, making it a versatile option for both cold and hot turkey sandwiches.

Cheddar is a versatile cheese that pairs well with many dishes, including turkey. It provides a sharp and savoury contrast to the milder flavour of turkey, making it a popular choice for sandwiches or as a topping on casseroles. Cheddar also melts well, so it can be used in a variety of hot dishes. If you're looking for a stronger flavour, try using extra sharp or aged cheddar.

Blue cheese and other bold flavours

Blue cheese is a great option for those who enjoy bold flavours. Its tangy and pungent taste can be a wonderful complement to the mildness of turkey. If you're feeling adventurous, you can try crumbling a mild blue cheese like Gorgonzola Dolce or Cambozola into your dish. These cheeses are milder than other blue cheeses like Stilton and Roquefort, but they will still add a nice kick to your meal.

When it comes to wine pairings, blue cheese pairs well with red wines like pinot noir. Pinot noir is high in acidity, low in tannins, and goes perfectly with bold cheeses. If you're looking for a white wine, go for an off-dry variety with some residual sugar, such as Riesling, Gewürztraminer, or Grüner Veltliner. These wines will also complement the bold flavours of blue cheese.

In addition to blue cheese, there are other bold cheeses that can enhance your dining experience. For a complex, mature cheese, consider Asiago, a mountain-style cheese from Veneto, Italy. Its flavour ranges from sweet to buttery and tangy, with a slightly salty aftertaste. This cheese will truly elevate your palate and create a memorable dining experience.

If you're looking for a semi-hard, robust, washed-rind cheese, try Gruyère, Raclette, or Fontina. These cheeses have a more robust aroma and flavour than unwashed cheeses. However, if you want to take your taste buds on an adventure, choose Beaufort. This French pressed cooked raw milk cheese from the Savoie region is one of the most regulated cheeses in France, ensuring a consistent and exceptional product. Whether enjoyed fresh or grilled, these bold cheeses will surely impress.

Smoked gouda and other mild, slightly sweet cheeses

Smoked gouda is a popular choice of cheese to pair with turkey, especially in a sandwich. One source suggests that smoked gouda is best with cold turkey, while another recommends it as an accompaniment to hot, melted cheese and turkey. Smoked gouda is a mild, slightly sweet cheese, which won't overpower the flavour of the turkey.

Other cheeses in this category include Monterey Jack, Edam, and Havarti. These cheeses are also mild and slightly sweet, making them a good match for turkey without being too overwhelming. They work well in grilled cheese and turkey sandwiches, as they melt nicely.

When creating a turkey and cheese sandwich, it's important to consider the other ingredients. Cranberry sauce, for example, is a classic pairing with turkey, adding a nice sweetness. Bacon is another popular addition, providing a savoury, smoky flavour. The type of bread is also key—soft white bread, wholemeal bread, or a crusty baguette or sourdough can all work well. Finally, some butter or mayonnaise is essential, adding moisture and bringing all the flavours together.

Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, and Colby Jack

Monterey Jack is a great cheese to use in turkey burgers. A recipe for a Monterey Jack Turkey Burger includes ground turkey, scallions, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic powder, black pepper, and the shredded cheese. The cheese is mixed in with the turkey and other ingredients, and the mixture is then shaped into patties and grilled. The burgers are served on toasted buns with bacon and tomato slices.

Pepper Jack is another cheese that can be used in turkey burgers, providing a spicy kick. It also works well in sandwiches, such as the Smoky Pepper Jack Turkey sandwich, which includes roasted turkey, bacon, and Pepper Jack cheese on toasted ciabatta.

Colby Jack is a creamy cheese that is often paired with turkey in snack packs, providing a delicious combination of flavours and textures.

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