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. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy meal to pack in your lunchbox or want to create a gourmet sandwich masterpiece at home, turkey is a tasty and versatile option. But what really takes a turkey sandwich to the next level is adding the right cheese.
The perfect cheese balances and enhances the flavors of the turkey and other sandwich fillings. It also gives your sandwich appealing texture and creamy satisfaction with every bite. However, with so many cheese choices available, it can be tricky to narrow down what cheese pairs best with turkey.
To help you determine the ideal cheese for turkey sandwiches here is an overview of the top contenders along with flavor combos that will have you craving turkey sandwiches every day
Swiss Cheese
Swiss cheese is one of the most popular choices for turkey sandwiches. Its mild, nutty, slightly sweet flavor complements turkey beautifully without overpowering it. The firm yet creamy texture also holds up well on sandwiches without becoming a mushy mess.
For a classic flavor pairing, add Swiss cheese to your favorite sliced turkey lettuce and tomato sandwich recipe. The cheese’s mellow tang balances the juicy turkey and fresh veggies. Or for something more gourmet, try pairing Swiss with avocado, bacon, and honey mustard on artisan bread.
Provolone Cheese
With its smooth, mild taste and firm texture, provolone cheese is another excellent option for turkey sandwiches. It has a subtle smoky and nutty flavor that enhances the turkey rather than competing with it. Slightly tangy and sharp provolone varieties can add even more flavor interest.
For delicious Italian flair, pair provolone with pesto mayonnaise, roasted red peppers, fresh basil, and balsamic vinaigrette. You can also keep it simple with just provolone, turkey, spinach, and a squirt of lemon juice for a refreshing lunchtime bite.
Cheddar Cheese
Sharp cheddar cheese packs a bold, nutty punch that can stand up to the stronger taste of smoked or roasted turkey. Its firm, dense texture also makes it perfect for grilled turkey sandwiches, as it melts evenly without turning runny.
Combine cheddar with bacon, barbecue sauce, and crispy fried onions for a crave-worthy down-home flavor. Or opt for cheddar with apple slices, honey mustard and spinach on whole grain bread for a healthier take. Just be sure to choose high-quality, properly aged cheddar for the best flavor.
Havarti Cheese
For a creamier cheese lover’s option, havarti is the way to go. Its smooth, velvety texture and buttery, mildly acidic taste complement the rich flavor of turkey breast beautifully. Havarti also melts exceptionally well, making it a smart choice for hot turkey sandwiches.
Try havarti with roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, and fresh sage on crusty bread or ciabatta for a delightful Thanksgiving-inspired sandwich. Or pair it with avocado, pickled red onions, and spicy mustard greens if you like some kick.
Brie Cheese
Buttery, rich brie offers a sophisticated cheese choice for gourmet turkey sandwiches. Its soft, spreadable texture when warmed and mildly earthy flavor are perfect for highlighting quality sliced turkey breast. Just be sure to pick brie with an edible rind for the best flavor.
For an elegant sandwich, pair ultra-thin turkey slices with brie, arugula, and stone fruit jam on a croissant or baguette. Fresh figs and roasted almonds also make tasty additions to a brie and turkey sandwich.
Blue Cheese
Bold blue cheese crumbles take turkey sandwiches from boring to brilliant. The sharp tang and crumbly texture of blue cheese contrasts beautifully with sliced turkey. Just a spoonful mixed into the sandwich spread makes a seriously flavorful impact.
Mix creamy blue cheese spread with caramelized onions and turkey on crusty artisan bread for a delightful sweet and savory flavor combo. For some crunch, add shredded lettuce, radish slices, and toasted walnuts.
Monterey Jack Cheese
With its signature melty quality and mild, buttery taste, Monterey Jack is a favorite for hot turkey sandwiches. It easily envelopes all the fillings in gooey goodness without masking their flavors. Pepper jack cheese offers a spicy twist if you like some heat.
For ultimate indulgence, pair Monterey Jack with sliced turkey, crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and barbecue sauce on thick slices of grilled sourdough. You can also keep it healthier with turkey, spinach, and avocado in a grilled whole wheat pita pocket.
Mozzarella Cheese
Fresh mozzarella adds delightful creamy texture and subtle tang to both cold and hot turkey sandwiches. Low-moisture versions sliced from a block work best. The mild, milky flavor of fresh mozzarella pairs wonderfully with the light taste of quality deli turkey.
For a perfect Italian-style sandwich, layer fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, basil pesto, and sliced turkey on a crusty baguette. Or opt for fresh mozzarella, arugula, balsamic vinegar, and turkey wrapped in lavash bread for a lighter take.
Gouda Cheese
With its distinctive creamy texture, mildly sweet and nutty flavor, gouda makes a fantastic addition to turkey sandwiches. The semi-firm style common in block form slices beautifully and melts evenly as well.
For a delicious pairing, try gouda with thin turkey slices, smoked paprika mayo, shredded lettuce, and tomato on crusty sourdough. Apple and bacon also complement gouda and turkey flavors for a next-level sandwich experience.
Fontina Cheese
Nutty, rich fontina has just the right amount of pungency to stand up to the strong flavor of roast turkey. It has a creamy, smooth texture for excellent meltability too. A little bit of potent fontina cheese goes a long way in turkey sandwiches.
Melt fontina over roast turkey, caramelized onions, and sautéed spinach on thick sliced whole grain bread for toasty sandwich heaven. You can also pair it with sun-dried tomatoes, arugula, and pesto spread for some zing.
Asiago Cheese
For an upscale sandwich, try the bold nuttiness of asiago cheese. Dry-aged asiago has a crumbly texture and robust, almost fruity flavor that is delicious with roasted or smoked turkey. The sharpness also cuts through other rich fillings.
Combine thin shavings of aged asiago with sliced turkey, prosciutto, fig jam, and peppery arugula on a pretzel roll or ciabatta. Fresh chopped parsley and lemon zest add extra vibrant flavor too.
Choosing the Right Cheese for You
With so many outstanding cheese choices for turkey sandwiches, it can be difficult deciding on the perfect option. Consider flavors you enjoy, types of turkey, and whether you want a cold or hot sandwich. Processed turkey luncheon meat benefits from mild melting cheeses, while roasted turkey stands up to more pungent cheeses.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with cheeses in your favorite turkey sandwich recipes too. Tasteful turkey and cheese pairings will take your lunches and quick dinners from boring to beautiful. Just be sure to use high-quality ingredients and bread.
For cold sandwiches, cheese sliced fresh from the deli counter works best. And for hot grilled sandwiches, choose a cheese that melts smoothly like havarti or gouda. With the right cheese pick, you can create a sensational turkey sandwich masterpiece to enjoy anytime.
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.
The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Turkey Sandwich
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