The Best Cheeses to Pair With Turkey: Complete Guide

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.

Turkey is a lean, versatile protein that can be paired with a wide variety of flavors and ingredients. One of the most classic companions for turkey is cheese. The creamy texture and salty, tangy flavors of cheese perfectly complement the mild, savory taste of turkey.

But with hundreds of cheese varieties available it can be tricky to determine which ones work best. Here is a complete guide to the best cheeses to serve with turkey whether it’s for sandwiches, casseroles, cheese boards, or any other turkey dish you can dream up.

Mild Cheeses

Mild cheeses offer subtle flavor that won’t overpower the turkey. They tend to have a creamy, smooth texture that pairs nicely with sliced turkey Great options include

Mozzarella – This soft, mild cheese has a hint of saltiness and pairs well with turkey in sandwiches or pizzas. Fresh mozzarella provides an extra creamy texture.
Monterey Jack – With a buttery, slightly tangy flavor, Monterey Jack melts beautifully on grilled turkey sandwiches.
Havarti – Creamy Havarti has a very mild, slightly sweet flavor profile that lets the turkey shine. It’s a great choice for sandwiches.
Muenster – Muenster has a soft, smooth texture and mild, nutty taste that works well in turkey sandwiches or paninis.
Fontina – This semi-soft Italian cheese provides a rich, creamy mouthfeel and mild flavor perfect for turkey.

Semi-Soft Cheeses

Semi-soft cheeses straddle the line between soft and firm textures, providing a nice contrast to turkey’s tenderness. They often boast robust, complex flavors. Excellent options include:

Gouda – With a sweet, nutty flavor, gouda nicely complements turkey. Aged gouda provides a crystallized texture and caramel notes.
Gruyère – Nutty, complex gruyère adds a savory depth to dishes like turkey grilled cheeses, casseroles, and fondue.
Brie – When baked or grilled, the soft texture and earthy flavors of brie pair beautifully with turkey.
Camembert – This creamy, tangy cheese can be baked, grilled, or eaten cold with turkey sandwiches or cheese trays.
Taleggio – Mild when young and pungent when aged, taleggio’s meaty umami flavor is a natural match for turkey.

Firm/Hard Cheeses

These harder, firmer cheeses add concentrated flavor punches that enhance turkey’s mildness:

Cheddar – Sharp cheddar provides a savory saltiness that complements turkey’s richness. Milder cheddar offers a more subtle contrast.
Parmesan – Grated parmesan adds a salty, nutty accent and extra savoriness to dishes like turkey Parmesan.
Pecorino Romano – Sharp and salty, this cheese pumps up the flavor in turkey salads, pastas, and antipasto platters.
Manchego – Nutty, salty manchego cheese pairs wonderfully with sliced turkey breast.
Aged Gouda – The caramelized flavor and crunchy amino acid clusters in aged gouda make a delicious turkey combo.

Blue Cheese

The bold flavors and crumbly texture of blue cheeses pair marvelously with turkey:

Gorgonzola – This veined Italian blue cheese has pungent, funky flavors that accent turkey’s tame profile.
Stilton – Crumbly and complex, stilton’s spicy, earthy tang stands up to turkey.
Roquefort – Intense and tangy, this French blue injects turkey dishes with robust flavor.
Blue Castello – Milder than many blues, Castello offers restrained pungency and creaminess with turkey.

Cheese Combinations

You can mix and match cheeses for turkey platters, sandwiches, and other recipes:

Havarti, gouda, and Swiss provide a nice mild cheese variety.
Brie, aged gouda, and manchego give an array of textures.
Cheddar, pecorino, and gorgonzola combine sharpness, saltiness, and bold blue flavors.
Muenster, taleggio, and stilton offer creamy, meaty flavors.

Tips for Serving Cheese with Turkey

Allow cheese to come to room temperature before serving to optimize flavor.
Pair pungent washed-rind cheeses like taleggio with jams or fruit.
Offer an accompaniment like crackers, bread, or apples to balance strong cheeses.
Slice softer cheeses; grate or crumble harder varieties.
Skewer cubes of cheese and turkey for easy appetizers.

Turkey deserves more than just a slice of American cheese. With so many diverse cheeses to choose from, you can serve the perfect companion to enhance turkey’s delicious flavor. Experiment with different cheese textures and flavors to find your favorite combinations.

cheese that goes with turkey

How to Make the Best Turkey and Cheese Sandwich

I started off by making my pesto mayo. I simply mixed together mayonnaise basil pesto.

Then I stirred it up with a spoon until it was well mixed.

Then I cut my sub roll into 2 pieces. The top and the bottom.

I smeared the mayo on both halves of the sub roll. I made sure each piece of bread had plenty of mayo.

I like the side of each slice of bread to be coated with the mayo.

My next step was to slice the cheese. I have a slicer in the Mortadella Head kitchen so I like slicing it fresh.

I covered the bottom roll with lots of cheese.

The next thing I did was slice the turkey.

I sliced it really thin because that’s the best way to do it. I loaded piles of turkey onto the bread.

The thin slices of turkey will be nice and fluffy if done right.

I took the mixed greens and spread them evenly over the turkey. I drizzled on some of the red wine vinaigrette.

I sliced the tomato and laid the slices over the greens. I made sure the tomato slices were evenly distributed.

Finally I seasoned it all with a good amount of salt, black pepper and olive oil.

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.

fight – Turkey & Cheese Sandwich Goes Wrong Gay Man Walks In A Bodega & Asks The Wrong Person

FAQ

What cheese pairs best with turkey?

Cheddar: Cheddar is a versatile cheese that pairs well with many dishes, including turkey. It provides a sharp and savory contrast to the turkey’s flavors, making it a popular choice for sandwiches or as a topping for casseroles. Swiss: Swiss cheese has a nutty and mild flavor that won’t overwhelm the turkey.

Does cheese and turkey go together?

These hot turkey & cheese is the perfect upgraded lunch or even dinner! Especially in summer when you want dinner to be quick & easy! This sandwich is loaded with turkey, melty cheese, tomato, and the most delicious sauce. We paired it with a lightly dressed salad for a perfect meal!

What is the best cheese for Thanksgiving?

Different types of cheeses: Try some blue cheese, sheep milk cheeses, gouda, camembert, a homemade cheese ball, or any other cheeses you like! Other garnishes: Fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs look beautiful on a Thanksgiving cheese board.