Whether it’s Thanksgiving or Christmas, turkey might just be one of the most loved leftovers. The main reason for that is that it is so versatile. And, what better recipe to enjoy it in, than a turkey and cheese sandwich.
Turkey is a versatile protein that can be paired with many flavors, but few complement it better than cheese. The creamy, salty goodness of cheese balances beautifully with turkey’s mild savory flavor. But with endless cheese options available how do you choose the best varieties to serve with turkey?
This complete guide covers the cheeses that pair wonderfully with turkey, whether it’s for sandwiches, charcuterie boards, casseroles or any other recipe. Read on for the ultimate turkey and cheese pairing recommendations.
Mild Cheeses
Mild, creamy cheeses allow the delicate flavor of the turkey to shine Their smooth textures also complement turkey’s tenderness Top mild cheese choices include
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Mozzarella – The soft, mild saltiness of fresh mozzarella works great in turkey sandwiches or pizzas
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Monterey Jack – With its creamy texture and subtle tang, Monterey Jack melts beautifully over grilled turkey sandwiches.
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Havarti – Buttery, slightly sweet Havarti has a mild flavor that lets the turkey flavors dominate.
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Muenster – Muenster’s signature smooth, soft texture and delicate nutty notes make it a go-to for turkey sandwiches.
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Fontina – This creamy, mild Italian cheese provides a lovely complement to turkey’s richness.
Semi-Soft Cheeses
With textures in between soft and firm, these semi-soft cheeses offer a nice contrast to the tenderness of turkey. They often have deeper, more complex flavors. Superb options include:
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Gouda – The lightly sweet, nutty notes of gouda interplay nicely with turkey. Aged gouda has a delicious crystallized crunch.
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Gruyère – This Swiss cheese adds a savory punch with its deep, earthy flavors that complement turkey.
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Brie – When baked or grilled, brie’s oozy texture and musky flavors pair divinely with turkey.
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Camembert – Earthy and tangy, this cheese holds its own alongside turkey in sandwiches or on cheese boards.
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Taleggio – With a meaty savoriness, taleggio’s mild funkiness accents turkey wonderfully.
Firm/Hard Cheeses
The concentrated sharpness of firm, hard cheeses balances the milder taste of turkey. Great robust options include:
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Sharp Cheddar – The saltiness and slight bite of sharp cheddar contrasts turkey’s richness. Milder cheddar works too.
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Parmesan – Grated parmesan contributes a nutty saltiness and savory depth to turkey dishes.
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Pecorino Romano – Briny and bold, pecorino boosts flavor in turkey salads, pastas and antipasto.
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Manchego – Nutty, firm manchego cheese pairs nicely with sliced turkey breast.
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Aged Gouda – Caramelized flavors and amino acid crunch of aged gouda make an amazing turkey partner.
Blue Cheeses
The powerful aromatic flavors of blue cheese beautifully complement turkey’s mellow profile. Top picks are:
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Gorgonzola – This Italian blue veined cheese has a sharp, pungent flavor that enhances turkey.
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Stilton – Earthy and complex, stilton’s crumbly texture and spicy tang stands up well to turkey.
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Roquefort – An assertive French blue, roquefort infuses turkey dishes with tangy richness.
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Blue Castello – More mild than some blues, Castello offers a subdued creaminess alongside turkey.
Creative Cheese Pairings
Mix and match cheeses for tasty turkey platters and sandwiches:
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Havarti, gouda and Swiss for mild variety
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Brie, aged gouda and manchego for diverse textures
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Cheddar, pecorino and gorgonzola for sharp, salty and blue flavors
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Muenster, taleggio and stilton for creamy, meaty funkiness
Serving Tips
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Let cheese come to room temperature before serving to maximize flavor.
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Pair pungent cheeses like taleggio with jams or fruits to balance the intensity.
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Offer cheese accompaniments like crackers, bread or apples.
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Slice soft cheeses; grate or crumble firmer varieties.
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Skewer cheese and turkey cubes for easy appetizers.
With so many cheeses to choose from, there are endless ways to complement turkey’s taste and texture. From mild havarti to punchy gorgonzola, make your turkey shine by pairing it with the perfect cheese match.
What type of bread should you use?
Can’t make a sandwich without bread right? But what type of bread should you use? Firstly, soft white bread or wholemeal bread will work best here. Moreover, a thick, dense bread will hold all the ingredients together better. Also, a thicker crust will elevate the texture of the sandwich should you choose to toast or grill it.
Before we delve into what cheese goes best with turkey, let’s have a quick look at what else you can add to your sandwich.
Is there anything that goes better with turkey than cranberry sauce? Furthermore, you most probably have some leftover as well right? Indeed, cranberry sauce adds a nice sweetness and a little bit of moisture to day-old turkey.
In case you don’t have any cranberry sauce, any forest berry jams or preserves will work really well too. Just be sure not to spread it too thickly on your bread.
Secondly, you’re likely to have some bacon left over as well. This will add some savoury, smoky notes to your meal.
Now this one is really up to your personal preference. Personally, I choose butter because of my Francophile roots. But mayonnaise is also a great spread because it adds moisture and is the perfect vehicle for the other flavours.
Is there any food item that screams out hipster more than avocado? In any case, the soft texture provides a nice contrast to the bacon.
Round up your perfect sandwich with slices of a ripe, juicy tomato and a fresh, crispy lettuce.
Ok, let’s now get to the reason why you’re here. The cheese! As a matter of fact, your cheese selection will depend on how flavoursome your turkey and other ingredients are. For the purpose of this article, we have broken them down into three categories.
Provolone Dolce – Wisconsin Cheeseman –
If your turkey is packed with flavour or smoky, a mild young cheese is the best pairing. Indeed, the last thing you want to do here is overload your taste buds.
There are a number of great options and you don’t have to stick to just one cheese. Edam, Monterey Jack and Havarti are great choices for starters. But to truly elevate your turkey, we would recommend Provolone Dolce.
Provolone is a pasta filata (stretched curd) cheese that originates from Campania, in southern Italy. Made with full-fat cow’s milk, Provolone is initially too soft to store on shelves.
As such, the affineur hangs the cheese using ropes which lead to its unique shape and appearance. The cheese is then matured for either 2 months (dolce) or 4 months (piccante). As for the flavour, a young Provolone has hints of nuts with savoury undertones and a sweet finish.
Whether you’re having your sandwich fresh or grilled, those cheeses will pair fabulously with your turkey without overpowering it.
Asiago – Italian Food –
On the other hand, if your turkey is a bit more subtle, you can add in a slightly more complex cheese. Some great options here include Pecorino Romano, Provolone Piccante, Pepper Jack and our number one pick, Asiago.
Asiago is a mountain style cheese that originates from Veneto in Italy. The pressed version is called Asiago Pressato.
Asiago Pressato is a pressed cheese with large but irregular shaped holes. Moreover, its flavour ranges from sweet to buttery and tangy with a slightly salty aftertaste. Because of this, it will truly elevate your turkey sandwich.
Now, a great tip is to combine a couple of slices of one of those complex cheeses with one of the milder ones. Edam and Havarti would work particularly well here. Once again, all of these work great in a grilled sandwich, just expect a slightly looser and runnier texture.
Not just for leftovers
Actually, such a sandwich does not only use up your leftover meat. You can also add in cranberry sauce and any salad that wasn’t used up for the main event. To make the perfect sandwich, you need the perfect ingredients. Before we take a deep dive into the cheese selection, let’s quickly cover the other components.
The Best Turkey Hack
FAQ
What cheese goes best with turkey?
- Swiss Cheese : Its mild, nutty flavor pairs well with turkey, making it a great choice for sandwiches.
- Provolone : This cheese adds a slightly sharp taste and melts well, ideal for warm turkey dishes.
- Cheddar : Aged cheddar adds a rich, bold flavor that works well in turkey burgers or casseroles.
- Pepper Jack
- Brie
Is turkey better with Swiss or provolone?
It’s ham and Swiss. Turkey is generally swiss or maybe havarti. Provolone is a good choice for turkey sandwiches.
What kind of cheese goes on turkey club?
Stack the following ingredients in order on the first slice of bread, lettuce, tomato, Monterey Jack Cheese, turkey, bacon and a slice of white bread.
What cheese is eaten in turkey?
Kasseri or Kasar (pronounced Kashar) is a light yellow, hard, rind cheese that is ubiquitous throughout Turkey.Dec 9, 2022