The best cheeses for sandwiches — the top sliceable and flavorful cheeses for cold and hot sandwiches, and how to choose the right one.
The right cheese makes a sandwich. Here's a guide to the best cheeses for sandwiches, covering sliceable cheeses for cold sandwiches and melters for hot ones.
Choosing Sandwich Cheese
The best sandwich cheese depends on the sandwich — cold sandwiches want sliceable, flavorful cheeses, while hot/melted sandwiches want good melters. The cheese should complement the fillings and add flavor and texture. Here's a guide to the best cheeses for sandwiches, the top choices for cold and hot sandwiches, and how to pick the right one for your sandwich.
Sliceable Cheeses for Cold Sandwiches
For cold sandwiches, choose flavorful, sliceable cheeses that hold up well. Cheddar (mild to sharp) is a versatile classic. Swiss/Emmental and Jarlsberg add nutty flavor and slice neatly. Provolone (dolce) is smooth and mild, a deli classic. Havarti is creamy and mild. Gouda (young) is mild and sweet. Muenster (American) is mild and smooth. These sliceable cheeses are ideal for cold sandwiches — flavorful, easy to slice and layer, and complementary to deli fillings. So for cold sandwiches, sliceable cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, provolone, and Havarti are top choices, adding flavor and slicing neatly.
Melters for Hot Sandwiches
For hot, melted sandwiches (toasties, paninis, melts), choose good melters. American cheese melts flawlessly (classic for melts). Cheddar (young-medium) melts well with flavor. Gruyère melts smoothly with rich, nutty flavor (great for paninis and croque monsieur). Provolone, mozzarella, and Havarti melt nicely. Fontina melts luxuriously. These melters give hot sandwiches their gooey, melty appeal. So for hot sandwiches, melters like American, cheddar, Gruyère, and provolone are top choices, melting into the gooey, satisfying texture hot sandwiches need. Match the melter to the sandwich for the best result.
Flavor Pairings with Fillings
Match the cheese to the sandwich's fillings. Cheddar pairs with ham, turkey, and pickle. Swiss pairs with ham (classic ham and Swiss) and turkey. Provolone pairs with Italian meats (subs, paninis). Brie pairs with turkey, cranberry, or fruit (gourmet sandwiches). Gruyère pairs with ham in a croque monsieur. Mozzarella pairs with tomato and basil (caprese). Goat cheese pairs with vegetables and roasted peppers. So choose the cheese to complement your fillings — cheddar with ham, Swiss with ham/turkey, provolone with Italian meats, brie with turkey/fruit. The right cheese-filling pairing makes a great sandwich.
Classic Sandwich Cheese Combinations
Some sandwich-and-cheese combinations are classics: ham and Swiss; turkey and cheddar or provolone; Italian sub with provolone; grilled cheese with cheddar and/or American (or Gruyère for gourmet); croque monsieur with Gruyère; caprese with mozzarella; tuna melt with American or cheddar; Reuben with Swiss; Philly cheesesteak with provolone or Cheez Whiz. These tried-and-true combinations show which cheeses work best in beloved sandwiches. So reach for these classic cheese-sandwich pairings, or use them as inspiration. They reliably deliver delicious results, matching the right cheese to each sandwich style.
Choosing the Best Sandwich Cheese
To choose the best sandwich cheese: for cold sandwiches, pick flavorful sliceable cheeses (cheddar, Swiss, provolone, Havarti) that complement the fillings; for hot sandwiches, pick good melters (American, cheddar, Gruyère, provolone); and match the cheese to the fillings (ham with Swiss, Italian meats with provolone, etc.). Grate or slice the cheese appropriately, and for hot sandwiches, ensure it melts fully. So choose sliceable cheeses for cold sandwiches and melters for hot ones, matched to your fillings. With the right cheese, your sandwich — cold or hot — will be flavorful and satisfying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best cheese for a sandwich?
It depends — for cold sandwiches, sliceable flavorful cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, provolone, or Havarti; for hot sandwiches, melters like American, cheddar, Gruyère, or provolone, matched to the fillings.
What cheese is best for a melted/hot sandwich?
Good melters — American (flawless melt), cheddar, Gruyère (rich and nutty, for paninis and croque monsieur), provolone, mozzarella, or Havarti — give hot sandwiches their gooey appeal.
What cheese goes with ham in a sandwich?
Swiss (classic ham and Swiss) and cheddar are top choices for cold ham sandwiches; Gruyère is classic for a hot ham sandwich like a croque monsieur.