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 to make a big turkey and cranberry sauce sandwich. That’s really the perfect way to use Thanksgiving leftovers.
But I try to make American favorites into Italian dishes here at Mortadella Head.
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 easy enough to make for lunch and tasty enough to serve to a big group of family and friends.
Turkey is a lean, mild meat that pairs wonderfully with cheese. The right cheese can accentuate the delicate flavor of turkey without overpowering it. From melted cheese on turkey sandwiches to cheese plates with turkey charcuterie, cheese takes turkey from boring to spectacular.
But with hundreds of cheese varieties available, how do you choose the best options to serve with turkey? Here are my top picks for cheeses that complement turkey perfectly.
1. Havarti
With its smooth, creamy texture and tangy, buttery flavor, Havarti is one of the best cheeses to pair with turkey. Its mild taste doesn’t compete with the turkey. Havarti melts beautifully on sandwiches and turkey burgers. It’s also great cubed in turkey salads.
Try It With Sliced turkey breast cranberry sauce lettuce on sourdough bread
2. Gouda
Gouda is a Dutch cheese with sweet, nutty notes. Its semi-soft texture and mild flavor make it an ideal match for turkey. Gouda slices beautifully and melts well, making it perfect for hot turkey sandwiches. For an appetizer, pair smoked gouda with turkey sausage and crackers.
Try It With Smoked turkey. grilled onions gouda on panini bread
3. Brie
The soft, creamy texture and subtle flavor of brie work nicely with turkey. For an easy appetizer, layer turkey breast, cranberry sauce and brie rounds on a platter with crackers. Brie also complements turkey in grilled cheese sandwiches.
Try It With: Sliced turkey, arugula, brie panini
4. Swiss
With its smooth, velvety texture and mild nutty flavor Swiss cheese pairs beautifully with turkey. It melts well, making it a great choice for hot turkey sandwiches. Swiss also tastes delicious with turkey on a cheese plate.
Try It With: Roasted turkey, Swiss, avocado, lettuce on whole wheat
5. Provolone
Provolone has a soft, smooth texture and mild, milky flavor that complements turkey without overpowering it. It melts wonderfully in grilled turkey sandwiches. For an antipasto platter, serve provolone wedges with sliced turkey and olives.
Try It With: Turkey, provolone, roasted red peppers, pesto on ciabatta
6. Mozzarella
Fresh mozzarella adds a lovely creaminess and subtle flavor to turkey dishes. Caprese salad with turkey and mozzarella is a delicious appetizer option. Mozzarella also tastes fantastic in turkey pesto sandwiches orMargherita pizza with turkey sausage.
Try It With: Turkey, mozzarella, tomato, basil caprese salad
7. Fontina
This Italian cheese has a creamy, velvety texture and rich, nutty flavor. It melts beautifully on turkey sandwiches and flatbreads. Fontina also tastes great cubed in turkey chili or turkey tetrazzini.
Try It With: Turkey, bacon, fontina, ranch flatbread
8. Muenster
Muenster is known for its smooth, creamy texture and mild, mellow flavor. It melts wonderfully in grilled turkey sandwiches. Muenster also complements smoked turkey rolls ups and turkey quesadillas.
Try It With: Smoked turkey, muenster, lettuce on rye bread
9. Cheddar
For those who like a little more zip, sharp cheddar adds a delightful tanginess and savoriness that pairs nicely with turkey. It gives fantastic flavor and meltability to hot turkey sandwiches. A charcuterie board with cheddar and smoked turkey is simple but delicious.
Try It With: Smoked turkey, cheddar, barbecue sauce grilled sandwich
Extra Tips for Pairing Cheese and Turkey
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For sandwiches, use cheese slices or spreadable cheese to ensure even coverage and meltability.
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Shredded cheese works well in turkey casseroles, pasta bakes, and soup recipes.
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Cut cheese into cubes or wedges to complement sliced turkey on appetizer platters.
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Pair mild cheeses with roasted turkey breast, which has a delicate flavor. Use more pungent cheeses with smoked turkey.
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Creamy brie or chèvre spread on a turkey sandwich takes it to the next level.
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For low-fat options, use part-skim mozzarella or Swiss cheese in turkey dishes.
Turkey is so versatile and pairs well with hundreds of cheese varieties. Experiment with different cheeses, flavors and textures to find your perfect turkey and cheese combinations. With the right cheese choice, even simple turkey sandwiches become culinary masterpieces.
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.
It’s very important that the person behind the deli counter cuts the turkey breast as thinly 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.
I chose one of the sub rolls we serve at Mortadella Head for my turkey and cheese sandwich. 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.
It will work with any kind of Italian bread that is soft on the inside and crusty on the outside.
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.
It is very important to spread the mayo on both sides of the roll so that the flavors are spread out evenly.
If you’re using sliced sandwich bread, apply it to both slices of bread.
You’ll be able to tell the difference between the two slices of bread when you spread mayo on them.
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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What are the best cheeses for grilled cheese and turkey sandwiches?
Like I said before I like provolone, American and cheddar cheese for room temperature sandwiches. These cheeses also melt really nice.
If you want to try some other cheeses try Swiss cheese, Colby Jack or Monterey Jack. They are really good for melting.
Chefclub Thanksgiving Cheese-Stuffed Turkey Reese’s French Toast Fondue Tower
FAQ
What cheese goes best with turkey?
What cheese goes with Thanksgiving?
Does white cheddar go with turkey?
What cheese goes with Turkey?
Mozzarella cheese. Mozzarella is a soft, white cheese that is often used in Italian dishes. It has a mild, milky flavor that pairs well with the salty flavor of turkey. When choosing a cheese to pair with turkey, it is important to consider the flavor of the cheese and how it will complement the turkey.
Can one have turkey and carrots?
Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.
Which cheese is best for a turkey sandwich?
Answer: For a turkey sandwich, Swiss cheese is an excellent choice due to its meltability and mild flavor. Alternatively, a sharp Cheddar can add depth, while a spread of Goat Cheese can offer a creamy and tangy element to the sandwich.
What kind of Cheddar should I use for roasted turkey?
Whether you opt for mild, medium, sharp or extra-sharp cheddar, it provides a creamy and smooth taste that will help to offset the flavor of the roasted turkey. Cheddar is also great for adding texture — its firm body has plenty of stretchiness which makes it ideal for layering onto sandwiches.
Can you put cheddar cheese on a turkey sandwich?
Cheddar cheese is not for the fainthearted but if you like your food punchy and packed full of flavor, give it a try on your next turkey sandwich! We think it works best with smoked turkey, where the sharpness of the cheese brings out the taste of the cooked meat perfectly. For a touch of crunch and sweetness, add some thinly sliced red onion.
Is Swiss cheese good for turkey sandwiches?
Swiss When it comes to turkey sandwiches, Swiss is the perfect cheese for adding both flavor and texture. Swiss cheese has a delicate yet nutty taste that complements the turkey nicely without overpowering it. Plus, with its firm texture and eye-catching holes all over, it adds an interesting visual presentation.