Turkey sandwiches are a classic lunchtime staple, but they can get boring if you don’t have the right ingredients to jazz them up. One of the best ways to give your turkey sandwich some extra flavor is by adding cheese. But with so many varieties of cheese available, it can be hard to decide which one works best with your sandwich.
Fortunately, we’re here to help! In this article, I’ll share our top picks for cheeses that pair perfectly with turkey sandwiches and provide tips on how to make the perfect combination every time.
So grab your favorite type of bread and start slicing up some delicious cheese – it’s time for an unforgettable turkey sandwich experience!
Classic Cheeses for Turkey Sandwiches
The first group of cheese varieties that work best with turkey sandwiches are classic cheeses. These have been used in sandwiches for many years and provide a reliable flavor combination.
1. Cheddar Cheese
Cheddar is perhaps the most popular cheese option for turkey sandwiches. It has a sharp flavor and slightly crumbly texture that works perfectly with the mildness of turkey. Plus, it melts easily and has a creamy finish when melted—optimal when added to a hot sandwich. Cheddar comes in many different flavors too, so you can have fun experimenting with your favorite variety!
2. Swiss Cheese
Swiss cheese has a unique flavor due to its nutty notes and slight sweetness. It also has several large holes throughout the cheese which gives it an interesting texture that pairs well with other ingredients. Swiss melts easily and adds a nice depth of flavor to your sandwich without overpowering the other ingredients.
3. Provolone Cheese
Provolone is another classic choice for turkey sandwiches because it has a mild, smoky flavor that doesn’t overpower the other ingredients in the sandwich. Its semi-soft texture also makes it easy to slice thin or shred finely for optimal melting on hot sandwiches. Pairing provolone with turkey is especially great for Italian-style sandwiches due to provolone’s Italian heritage!
Creamy and Mild Cheeses for Turkey Sandwiches
The next group of cheeses offer a bit more creaminess and mildness than the classic cheese varieties. These are perfect if you want to add a subtle flavor to your turkey sandwich without overpowering the other ingredients.
4. Brie Cheese
Brie cheese is a soft cheese made from cow’s milk. It has a creamy texture and mild flavor that pairs well with other ingredients in a sandwich. Brie adds creaminess without overpowering the taste of the turkey. It is also fairly low-fat compared to other types of cheese, so you don’t have to worry about eating too much fat when enjoying your favorite sandwich.
5. Feta Cheese
Feta cheese is another classic option for turkey sandwiches. This type of cheese is made from sheep’s or goat’s milk and has a salty taste that complements the savoriness of the turkey.
Feta cheese also has a crumbly texture that contrasts nicely with the creaminess of brie or havarti—making for a more enjoyable eating experience overall!
Plus, feta has fewer calories than many other types of cheese so you can keep your calorie count down while still enjoying all the flavor.
6. Havarti Cheese
Havarti cheese is similar to brie but slightly less creamy and slightly more flavorful. This type of cheese works best in sandwiches when it is melted over the top because it helps bring out its subtle taste and adds an extra layer of creaminess to your meal.
Havarti pairs particularly well with smoked meats like turkey because its milder flavor doesn’t overpower the smoky notes in the meat itself.
Bold and Tangy Cheeses for Turkey Sandwiches
The third group of cheeses are bold and tangy varieties. These are perfect if you want to add a kick of flavor to your sandwich without overpowering the other ingredients.
7. Blue Cheese
Blue cheese is made from cow’s milk that has been cured with cultures of the mold Penicillium Roqueforti. This gives it an unmistakable sharp and salty flavor that makes it stand out from other types of cheese.
It also has a signature crumbly texture that adds another level of interest to any sandwich. Try adding thin slices of blue cheese to your turkey sandwich for a bolder, tangier flavor profile.
8. Goat Cheese
Goat cheese is made from the milk of goats, which gives it its distinctive tangy taste. Its texture varies depending on how long it has been aged; younger goat cheese is soft while older varieties are harder and more crumbly.
The sharpness of goat cheese pairs perfectly with the mildness of turkey, making it an excellent choice for adding bold flavor to your sandwich. experiment with different types of goat cheese to find the perfect flavor profile for your sandwich!
9. Chèvre
Chèvre is a type of soft French goat’s milk cheese that has been aged for around two weeks or less. It’s known for its creamy texture and earthy tartness, which makes it ideal for adding extra dimension to any dish. Try spreading chèvre on your turkey sandwich instead of mayonnaise or mustard for an extra layer of flavor!
Unconventional Cheeses for Turkey Sandwiches
Finally, there are a few unconventional kinds of cheese that work well on turkey sandwiches. These can add complexity and depth to your sandwich while still allowing the turkey to remain the star of the show.
10. Smoked Gouda
Smoked gouda is a semi-hard cheese that has a smokey flavor from being aged in smokehouses. Its slightly sweet and salty taste pairs wonderfully with turkey, as does its creamy texture. The smoky flavor of smoked gouda adds an extra layer of complexity to your sandwich.
11. Fontina
Fontina is an Italian cow’s milk cheese with a nutty and buttery taste. Its semi-soft texture melts easily when heated, so it’s perfect for adding creaminess to your sandwich. This cheese also has an earthy flavor, which makes it the perfect pairing for a savory turkey sandwich.
12. Asiago
Asiago is an Italian cow’s milk cheese with a sharp yet nutty taste. It has a harder texture than fontina or smoked gouda, making it ideal if you want something with a bit more bite in your sandwich. Asiago also has hints of sweetness that will balance out the saltiness of the turkey perfectly.
Other than the cheeses mentioned above, there are plenty of different kinds that you can use to make your turkey sandwich even more delicious. Here are some more suggestions:
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Colby Cheese
- Monterey Jack Cheese
- Parmesan Cheese
- Edam Cheese
- Muenster Cheese
- Fontina Cheese
- Emmental Cheese
Conclusion
In conclusion, adding cheese to your turkey sandwich can take it from good to great. Whether you prefer classic and mild cheeses like cheddar and Swiss, creamy and tangy cheeses like brie and feta, or bolder and more flavorful cheeses like blue cheese or goat cheese, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations to find your own perfect pairing. With so many delicious cheese options available, you’re sure to create a turkey sandwich that’s bursting with flavor and satisfaction.
