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The Top Cheeses That Pair Perfectly With Turkey

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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 can be paired with a variety of cheeses. The key is choosing a cheese that complements the delicate flavor of turkey without overpowering it. Through trial and error in our test kitchen we’ve landed on 10 fantastic cheeses that go great with turkey.

Mild Cheeses

If you want the cheese to blend harmoniously with the turkey without dominating the flavor profile, go for a mild cheese. Our top picks are:

  • Provolone – This semi-soft Italian cheese has a smooth, milky flavor that won’t compete with the turkey. A classic turkey and provolone sandwich is always a winner.

  • Havarti – Buttery, creamy havarti is a crowd-pleasing cheese. Its subtle tang accentuates the turkey nicely.

  • Muenster – Muenster is mildly nutty with a soft, sliceable texture. It melts beautifully in grilled turkey sandwiches.

  • Swiss – With its characteristic holes and nutty, sweet flavor, Swiss cheese is a turkey lover’s dream.

  • Gouda – Gouda comes in aged and young varieties, but even a sharp gouda has a mellow flavor that complements turkey.

Stronger Cheeses

For those who like a bigger, bolder cheese flavor, go for stronger-tasting cheeses. Our favorites with turkey include:

  • Bleu Cheese – This tangy, crumbly cheese packs a punch that stands up to turkey. A turkey BLT with bleu cheese is sheer perfection.

  • Cheddar – Sharp cheddar has a rich, full flavor that makes it an ideal match for turkey. The classic hot turkey and cheddar sandwich proves this pair’s pedigree.

  • Stilton – This English blue cheese is intense, with a complex fruity flavor that works magic with turkey.

  • Goat Cheese – Tart, tangy goat cheese adds a lovely counterpoint to mild turkey meat. It spreads beautifully on a turkey sandwich or wrap.

Cheese and Turkey Sandwich Inspiration

Now that you know the perfect cheeses to pair with turkey, get creative with your sandwich fillings! Here are some of our favorite flavor combinations:

  • Turkey, brie, apple, arugula on a baguette

  • Turkey, havarti, avocado, roasted red pepper on ciabatta

  • Turkey, muenster, spinach, tomato, pesto on focaccia

  • Turkey, gouda, bacon, caramelized onions on sourdough

  • Turkey, cheddar, bbq sauce, coleslaw on brioche

Take your leftover turkey from drab to fab with these gourmet cheese and turkey sandwich recipes. With the right cheese choice, you can make turkey exciting again!

cheese that goes with turkey

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?

Cheese: Swiss, provolone, and cheddar cheeses all pair well with turkey. Buy slices directly from the deli counter, or slice off the block with a cheese slicer. Lettuce: Green leaf or romaine lettuce adds much needed crunch. Remove the thick rib from romaine lettuce to make it easier to build the sandwich.

What cheese goes with Thanksgiving?

Brie: Brie is a popular choice due to its creamy and buttery texture. It pairs well with the rich flavors of turkey and can be delicious when spread on rolls or crackers alongside turkey slices. Gouda: A mild and slightly sweet cheese like Gouda can be a great accompaniment to Thanksgiving turkey.

Does white cheddar go with turkey?

The sharpness of the white cheddar complements the turkey beautifully, adding a luxurious depth of flavor that melts in the mouth, providing a creamy contrast to the smoky meat.

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.

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