The 9 Best Cheeses for a Turkey Sandwich

I’m a huge fan of turkey sandwiches. I like them with lots of mayo, good bread and a cheese with lots of flavor.

The day after Thanksgiving I’m the first one making a big sandwich with the leftover turkey and cranberry sauce. That’s really the perfect way to use Thanksgiving leftovers.

But here at Mortadella Head I try to come up with ways to turn American favorites into Italian recipes.

It’s made with a really nice deli style turkey. The same kind you usually get on a turkey sub.

There are so many different kinds of cheese to choose from when you make a delicious turkey sandwich.

I tried a few different types of cheese and I think I came up with the perfect sandwich.

The guy who maintains our deli slicer told me it was the best turkey sandwich he’s ever had. And he’s been in a lot of delis over the years.

It’s simple enough to make for an easy lunch, but it’s also good enough to serve to a crowd of friends and family.

A turkey sandwich is a classic lunchtime favorite. Adding cheese takes it to the next level by providing creaminess flavor and delicious melted gooey-ness when grilled. But how do you choose the best cheese to perfectly complement the turkey?

Certain cheeses pair better with turkey based on their flavor profiles and textures. The right cheese should add taste without overpowering the turkey. It should also melt well when grilled. After much sandwich research, we have determined the top 9 cheeses for turkey sandwiches. Keep reading to find your new favorite!

Why Add Cheese to a Turkey Sandwich?

Cheese adds a wonderful new dimension of flavor to a basic turkey sandwich Here’s why you should consider adding a slice

It makes the sandwich more filling and satisfying.
Cheese enhances the flavor of the turkey rather than covering it up.
Melted cheese takes a hot grilled sandwich to the next level.
Kids love a ooey, gooey cheese layer in their sandwich.
Cheese adds calories from protein rather than unhealthy fats.
It brings great texture – creamy, smooth and rich.
Who doesn’t love cheese?! It makes everything better.

Factors for the Best Cheese

With so many cheese options, how do you narrow it down? Here are key factors to consider:

Flavor – You want a cheese with enough flavor to add interest but mild enough not to overwhelm the turkey.

Texture – Is the cheese firm and sliceable or soft and spreadable? Think about the texture you prefer.

Meltability – For hot sandwiches, choose a cheese that melts smoothly like provolone or gouda.

Pairings – Consider flavors like smoky, herby, sharp, nutty or tangy based on preference.

Allergies – Skip the dairy if needed. Use vegan cheese or avocado instead.

The 9 Best Cheeses for Turkey

Based on flavor, texture, meltability and classic pairings, here are our picks for the top 9 cheeses for turkey sandwiches:

Gouda – This Dutch cheese is mildly sweet with a creamy texture. It melts beautifully in grilled sandwiches.
Provolone – Slightly sharp and very meltable, this Italian cheese is a turkey sandwich classic.
Cheddar – For a sharper flavor and creamy texture, you can’t go wrong with cheddar.
Swiss – With its distinctive nutty, slightly fruity taste, Swiss cheese is a great choice.
Brie – Buttery, rich Brie gives a turkey sandwich a luxurious flavor.
Mozzarella – Fresh mozzarella adds milky flavor and soft texture when sliced.
Monterey Jack – Try pepper jack for a spicy kick or regular Jack for its melty creaminess.
Muenster – This smooth, creamy cheese with subtle flavor melts perfectly.
Havarti – Creamy havarti with its small holes has a mild tangy taste.

Flavor Combinations to Try

Mix and match cheeses with different sandwich fillings like:

Turkey, Swiss, avocado and sprouts
Turkey, cheddar, bacon and tomato
Turkey, brie, cranberry sauce and arugula
Turkey, provolone, pesto mayo and red onion

The options are endless for cheese and turkey pairings! Try grilling your sandwich too for hot melted cheese oozing out with each bite. A cheese lover’s dream.

Shopping for Cheese

When purchasing cheese for your sandwiches, follow these helpful tips:

Buy block cheese and slice it yourself for best value and freshness. Pre-sliced cheese dries out quickly.
For convenience, shredded cheese works great too. Plus it melts faster than slices.
Choose cheese from the deli counter for specialty cheeses you can’t find pre-packaged.
Check the cheese type – Swiss, cheddar, etc. Make sure it’s what you need.
Pay attention to labels for cheese made from goat or sheep milk if you want to avoid cow’s milk.
Check the expiration date to ensure freshness.

Storage Tips

Proper storage preserves freshness and prevents mold growth. Here’s how to store cheese:

Keep unopened cheese refrigerated in original packaging.
Once opened, rewrap tightly in plastic wrap or wax paper. Exclude as much air as possible.
Place cheese in a zip top bag if storing more than a few days. This prevents drying out.
Soft cheeses like brie should be eaten within days of opening. They spoil faster than hard cheeses.
Store strong-smelling cheese separately.
Discard cheese once mold appears, being careful to cut 1 inch around any mold.

Grilled Turkey and Cheese Sandwich

Here is an easy recipe to make the perfect hot turkey and cheese sandwich:

Ingredients:

2 slices bread
2 slices deli turkey
2 slices cheese such as cheddar or Swiss
1 tbsp butter, softened
Lettuce, tomato, etc.

Directions:

Spread one side of each bread slice lightly with butter.
Place one slice buttered-side-down in a hot skillet or panini press. Layer turkey, cheese, lettuce, tomato and other toppings. Top with other slice, buttered-side-up.
Grill until the bottom slice is lightly browned and cheese is fully melted, about 5 minutes per side.
Slice sandwich in half and enjoy!

FAQs

What cheese is best on a turkey club sandwich? Havarti, Swiss, cheddar and provolone all pair well with the bacon and lettuce on a club.

What is a good vegan cheese for turkey sandwiches? Try provolone-style vegan cheese or cashew cheese for creamy flavor.

Can you freeze grilled turkey and cheese sandwiches? Yes, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat.

Should you toast the bread for a turkey sandwich? It depends on the flavor you prefer. Toasting adds crunch but makes the bread less absorbent for sauces.

What type of bread is best for turkey sandwiches? Whole grain and sourdough breads hold up well. Baguettes, rolls and croissants also make tasty sandwich vessels.

A turkey sandwich is even better with luscious melted cheese! Pick your favorite from this list of the top cheeses to pair. Whether you prefer Swiss, cheddar or havarti, cheese adds a boost of flavor. Turn your sandwich up a notch by grilling it nice and hot.

what cheese goes with turkey sandwich

What You Need to Make A Great Turkey and Cheese Sandwich

All of the ingredients you need for this delicious sandwich are going to be simple. You should be able to find them all in your local grocery store.

This turkey sandwich recipe is going to be easy. I basically took the classic turkey sandwich and elevated it with a few simple touches.

Some people might even call it a gourmet sandwich.

It’s also going to be a cold sandwich.

When I made this sandwich I used a really basic deli turkey. Nothing fancy. I swear.

The most important thing is that you have the guy behind the deli counter slice the turkey breast as thin as possible.

Don’t be shy. Ask to inspect a piece of turkey after he slices it.

I see a turkey sandwich as being a blank canvas when it comes to cheese.

For this sandwich, I used provolone cheese. It’s one of the best cheeses for Italian style sandwiches.

I made sure to slice it fresh and slice it thin. That’s the only way to do it in my opinion.

But if you don’t love provolone, you don’t have to use it. There are so many different cheeses to choose from.

You could use American cheese, mozzarella cheese or cheddar cheese.

Like I said before, whatever you use, make sure that your slices of cheese are thin.

Pick your favorite cheese and go with it.

The bread is a really important part of any sandwich. If you use bad bread, you’re starting off on the wrong foot.

For my turkey and cheese sandwich I decided to use one of the sub rolls we serve at Mortadella Head. It’s crusty on the outside and soft on the inside.

If you don’t have a sub roll, you could use a baguette, a ciabatta roll or sourdough bread.

Any type of Italian bread that is soft on the inside and crusty on the outside will be great.

I made a really quick basil pesto aioli for this sandwich. I took mayonnaise and basil pesto and put it in a bowl.

Then I mixed it all together. It adds a lot of flavor to the sandwich.

Who doesn’t love a good turkey pesto sandwich?

Feel free to use store bought pesto for this recipe.

I strongly recommend that you always spread your mayo on both sides of the roll for even distribution of flavors.

If you’re using sliced sandwich bread, apply it to both slices of bread.

When you spread your mayo on the top slice of bread and the bottom slice, you’ll be able to tell the difference.

I made my sandwich with mixed greens and tomatoes.

I made sure the greens were nice and fresh. I dressed them in our homemade red wine vinaigrette.

I sliced my tomatoes nice and thin.

Always season the veggies on your sandwich. A liberal amount of salt and pepper makes every sandwich better.

Add a nice drizzle of olive oil and you’re golden!

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Can this turkey and cheese sandwich be served hot?

Yes. When I made it, I ate it at room temperature. If you like hot turkey and cheese, here are a couple ways to do it.

It’s a great way to improve on a traditional grilled cheese and turkey sandwich.

Make a turkey melt in a large skillet or frying pan. Add some real butter to the pan and put it on medium heat. Put the sandwich in the pan for a couple minutes on each side.

You’ll know it’s done when the cheese melts and the bread is a nice golden brown.

You can also put the sandwich in the oven and make a melty cheese and turkey sandwich.

If you have a panini press you can use it to make a hot turkey sandwich. Put it in the press until you can see the melted cheese oozing out the side of the bread.