Cold roast beef sandwiches are a lunchtime classic loved by many. The combination of tender rare roast beef crusty bread, and melted cheese is simply delicious. But when constructing your perfect cold roast beef sandwich, what cheese should you choose?
The cheese you select can take your sandwich from basic to spectacular. With so many varieties of cheese out there, it can be tricky deciding which one will complement the beef best. The right cheese provides the perfect flavor contrast, creaminess, and meltability.
In this article, we’ll explore the top 12 cheeses that pair wonderfully with cold roast beef sandwiches Whether you prefer a sharp cheddar, nutty Swiss, or something more adventurous like blue cheese, there’s a cheese here to suit every palate Read on to discover your new favorite cheese for cold roast beef sandwiches!
Cheddar
Cheddar cheese is a popular choice to serve with roast beef This semi-hard cow’s milk cheese ranges from mild to extra sharp With its tangy, nutty flavor, cheddar provides a nice contrast to the rich beef. The intensity of aged cheddar stands up well to the hearty meat. Sharp cheddar really makes the beef flavor pop.
For cold roast beef sandwiches, cheddar adds great flavor and pairs nicely with the bread. Mild cheddar allows the beef to shine, while extra sharp packs a punch. White and orange cheddars melt beautifully on these sandwiches.
Swiss
Swiss cheese is another excellent option for cold roast beef sandwiches. Its firm yet creamy texture melts very nicely. Swiss cheese has a distinct nutty, slightly sweet taste that complements roast beef.
The hint of sweetness and touch of salt in Swiss provide balance against the savory beef. Its meltability helps bind the sandwich ingredients together. For an amazing flavor combination, Swiss cheese is hard to beat in roast beef sandwiches.
Provolone
Provolone is an Italian cheese that comes in both mild and aged varieties. With its smooth, creamy texture and mild milky flavor, provolone excels at sandwiches. It melts beautifully into the bread, bringing everything together.
Aged provolone offers a sharper, tangier bite that contrasts the beef. But smooth mild provolone lets the beef shine while providing cheese flavor. Either way, provolone adds appeal to any cold roast beef sandwich.
Blue Cheese
Blue cheese packs a serious flavor punch that can take a cold roast beef sandwich to the next level. The pungent, creamy, slightly crumbly cheese has a tangy saltiness that pairs fantastically with beef. Just a little bit of blue cheese brings big flavor.
Crumble a small amount on top of your sandwich, or add some blue cheese dressing for creaminess. The boldness of the blue cheese enhances the beef rather than competes with it. This cheese adds excitement to otherwise basic sandwiches.
Gruyère
Gruyère is a French cheese made from cow’s milk. It has a delightful nutty, fruity taste and supple, dense texture. When sliced or melted, it showcases flavors of brown butter and nuts. The sweetness and fruitiness pair so interestingly with roast beef’s hearty flavor.
For upscale roast beef sandwiches, Gruyère really classes things up. It melts beautifully into bread without losing its character. The elegant contrast between the Gruyère and sliced beef makes sandwiches feel special.
Gouda
Gouda is a Dutch cheese crafted from cow’s milk. Ranging from mild to aged, it has a creamy, buttery flavor and smooth texture when young. With age, gouda becomes intensely flavored, developing a sharp, salty profile.
Both young and aged gouda pair wonderfully with cold roast beef sandwiches. The rich creaminess balances the beef’s bold flavor. Gouda melts superbly in these sandwiches, binding the ingredients together. This cheese choice won’t disappoint!
Havarti
Havarti is a semi-soft Danish cheese with a mild, buttery flavor. Its supple, creamy texture melts beautifully in sandwiches. Havarti allows the flavor of the roast beef to take center stage, while providing a delicate cheese presence.
This approachable cheese is great if you want the beef to be the star. The meltability of Havarti helps fuse the sandwich ingredients together into a cohesive, satisfying bite. It’s a smart choice for fans of milder cheese.
Pepper Jack
For spicy cheese lovers, pepper jack makes a fun pairing with cold roast beef sandwiches. This creamy Monterey jack cheese is mixed with spicy jalapeño and habanero peppers. The heat complements the rich beef flavors.
Pepper jack cheese adds some zip to basic roast beef sandwiches. Its creaminess balances the beef’s texture. The mellow cheese flavor lets the peppery kick and beef shine. If you like a little heat, pepper jack is a great choice.
Manchego
Manchego is a Spanish cheese made from sheep’s milk. It has a distinctive creamy, nutty, caramel-like sweetness. The firm cheese is excellent for slicing or grating. In roast beef sandwiches, Manchego provides a sophisticated flair.
Its nuanced sweetness intrigues the palate next to slices of savory beef. Manchego gives cold roast beef sandwiches a gourmet twist. It offers cheese lovers an adventurous alternative to the usual options.
Brie
Soft-ripened brie cheese makes a luxurious contrast to cold roast beef sandwiches. The creamy, rich cheese practically melts in your mouth, balancing the sliced beef’s texture. Its flavors like mushroom and fresh cream pair amazingly with beef.
The indulgent ooze of brie in a hot roast beef sandwich is sheer delight. Or you can serve sliced brie alongside roast beef for an elegant appetizer. Brie takes this sandwich from everyday to gourmet.
American Cheese
While it may seem too pedestrian for some, American cheese shouldn’t be overlooked. This processed cheese melts extremely well thanks to emulsifying salts. So it fuses roast beef sandwiches together for easy eating.
Despite being labeled as inferior to “real” cheeses by some, American cheese definitely has its place. Its creaminess and meltability make it a smart choice for pleasing kids and adults alike. Don’t knock it til you try it!
Cheddar Cheese Curds
For an outside-the-box cheese pairing, try squeaky fresh cheddar cheese curds on your roast beef sandwich. These mild, milky nuggets of young cheddar cheese add richness and a delightful light crunch.
The mildness allows the beef to remain the star. But the unique texture and creamy flavor of the curds make sandwiches more fun. Cheese curds pair surprisingly well with cold roast beef’s hearty flavor.
Blue Cheese Crumbles
Finally, let’s highlight blue cheese crumbles as another great option for adding excitement to cold roast beef sandwiches. These small blue cheese chunks pack all the tangy creaminess you expect from quality blue cheese.
Just a sprinkle of blue cheese crumbles over the beef provides a nice flavor pop. The crumbles make it easy to control the amount of blue cheese so it enhances rather than dominates the sandwich. This cheese adds boutique sandwich shop sophistication.
How to Select the Right Cheese for You
With so many wonderful cheeses to choose from, how do you select the perfect one for your cold roast beef sandwich? Here are some helpful tips:
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Consider intensity – mild cheeses like Havarti let the beef shine, while assertive cheeses like blue cheese add bold flavor. Choose based on your preferences.
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Think about texture – oozy cheeses like brie provide sensational contrast to the sliced beef. Firmer cheeses hold up structurally.
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Factor in meltability – cheeses like Swiss, American, and cheddar melt deliciously to bind sandwiches together. Avoid crumbly cheeses.
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Complement the beef – pick cheeses with flavors that sound appealing next to roast beef, like nutty Gruyère or peppery pepper jack.
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Match the bread – bigger bolder breads can handle assertive cheeses. Milder cheeses pair better with lighter breads.
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Think outside the box – don’t just default to cheddar out of habit. Branch out and discover new cheese pleasures!
At the end of the day, your personal taste should guide you. Try a variety of cheeses in roast beef sandwiches and enjoy discovering new cheese favorites! With the fantastic options available, you really can’t go wrong.
Key Tips for Building the Perfect Cold Roast Beef Sandwich
Once you’ve selected an amazing cheese, use these tips to construct the perfect cold roast beef sandwich:
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Use high-quality ingredients like artisan breads, freshly roasted top round or eye round beef, and real cheese slices. Pre-packaged lunchmeat and cheese lack flavor.
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Layer the cheese on top of the roast beef so it melts nicely when the sandwich is pressed.
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Spread condiments like mustard, mayo, horseradish sauce, or chimichurri mayo on bread before building the sandwich to add moisture and flavor.
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Add sliced tomatoes, onions, roasted red peppers, spinach, or arugula for freshness.
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Drizzle the bread with olive oil and balsamic for a gourmet touch.
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Press the sandwich in a panini press, grill press, or weighted sandwich press to melt the cheese and marry the flavors.
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Halve the assembled sandwich and skewer it with toothpicks or frilly cocktail sticks for easy eating.
With premium ingredients and smart construction, your cold roast beef sandwiches will be sensational. The cheese choice can make them extraordinary! Now get out there and start enjoying mouthwatering cold roast beef sandwiches topped with your favorite cheese.
Don’t forget the melting point.
Oozy melted cheese pulls a hot roast beef dish together. But not all cheeses melt well, so opt for nicely meltable varieties.
Taste test the options.
Get a few cheese samples if possible and taste them with the roast beef. This gives you the chance to experience the flavor combinations.
Make sure the cheese pairs well with sides and other ingredients, not just the roast beef.
Simple Sandwich Series #54: Roast beef breakfast sando #shorts
FAQ
What cheese is best with a roast beef sandwich?
Provolone cheese — this is a great melting cheese with a sharp taste that melts perfectly over the roast beef on this sandwich. For another classic roast beef pairing, try a sharp cheddar cheese, or swiss cheese on this sandwich. All of these are semi-hard cheeses that melt well and pair great with roast beef.
What to put on a cold roast beef sandwich?
- Thinly sliced roast beef.
- A hearty bread like a crusty baguette or rye.
- Swiss cheese.
- Creamy horseradish sauce.
- Fresh lettuce.
- Juicy tomato slices.
What cheese is best for a cold sandwich?
The best types of cheese for sandwiches are cheddar, blue cheese and colby. These cheeses are firm enough to hold their shape and do not crumble. You can make a sandwich with any cheese but what you must consider is texture and taste. Some cheeses tend to crumble while some are too salty or bland.
What goes with cold roast beef?
Cold Roast Beef Fillet with Herb Dressing
This is a country classic that has been doing the rounds of farmhouse kitchens for over half a century and still tastes fresh and delicious. Serve with salads, especially potato salad and fresh tomatoes.
What is the best cheese for roast beef sandwiches?
The best types of cheese for roast beef sandwiches often depend on personal preference and the flavor profile of the beef itself. Cheddar, Swiss, and provolone are popular choices due to their mild flavors that complement the savory beef without overpowering it.
What goes well with a roast beef sandwich?
Traditional roast beef sandwiches typically include cheese and onions, which is how my roast beef sandwich recipe came to be. When combined with a tangy remoulade sauce and home-made caramelized onions, cream cheese is an outstanding choice for a roast beef sandwich.
What makes a good cold roast beef sandwich?
The key to making the perfect cold roast beef sandwich is finding the right balance between meat, bread, and cheese. A cheese with a strong flavor that is mild enough to complement the roast beef’s salty taste and not overpower other ingredients in the sandwich is essential.
What cheese goes well with roast beef?
Provolone has a smooth, milky flavor that pairs perfectly with roast beef. It also melts extremely well. For the best flavor balance, use provolone cheese. 2. Swiss The nutty, slightly sweet flavor of Swiss cheese balances well with salty roast beef. It’s also a great melter that gets deliciously gooey. 3. Cheddar
Can you put cheese on a roast beef sandwich?
Here are some of my tips for incorporating cheese into your roast beef sandwich: Thinly slice harder cheeses like cheddar, Swiss or gouda. This helps them melt better. Spread soft cheeses like brie or camembert at room temperature for easy spreading. For hot sandwiches, add cheese slices on top of roast beef so it melts nicely.
Is Swiss cheese good for a roast beef sandwich?
When melted, Swiss cheese becomes wonderfully gooey and creamy, making it an excellent choice for a roast beef sandwich. Another reason Swiss cheese makes a great option for a roast beef sandwich is its ability to complement a wide range of flavors and condiments. It’s a fantastic option that is really easy to find and relatively affordable. 4.