When making a roast beef sandwich, the cheese you choose can make all the difference. The right cheese enhances the flavors of the beef and other ingredients, while the wrong cheese clashes or leaves you underwhelmed. So which cheese should you use on your roast beef sandwich?
There are several factors to consider when picking the perfect cheese for roast beef. First, you want a cheese that can stand up to and complement the strong, savory flavor of roast beef. Soft mild cheeses lack the boldness needed. Second, the cheese should have a creamy, smooth texture that melts nicely into the sandwich. Dry, crumbly cheeses don’t work as well. Finally, you want a cheese with tangy, nutty, or sharp flavors to contrast with the richness of the beef.
Taking all of these criteria into account, here are the top cheeses to use for roast beef sandwiches:
Cheddar
Cheddar is one of the most popular choices for roast beef sandwiches, for good reason. aged cheddar has a sharp, tangy flavor that pairs beautifully with the beef. It has a firm yet creamy texture when melted that provides a nice contrast to the tender meat. Sharp cheddar or extra sharp cheddar have the most robust flavor to stand up to the beef. White cheddar is also an excellent option. The tangy, nutty flavor of cheddar cheese makes it a sure winner.
Swiss
Swiss cheese is another excellent option for roast beef sandwiches. Its distinguishing feature is the mild, slightly nutty taste. This allows the natural flavor of the beef to shine while still providing a delicious creamy texture. Swiss cheese melts very smoothly, making it a great choice if you want a cheese that incorporates neatly into every bite. The signature holes also allow little pockets of beef juice and mustard to gather, boosting the flavor. Swiss adds a lovely accent to roast beef without overpowering it.
Provolone
For those who love a bold, intense cheese flavor, provolone is the way to go. Aged provolone has a sharp, tangy, almost spicy kick that pairs fabulously with juicy roast beef. The buttery, smooth texture when melted also complements the meat. Provolone holds up to the heartiness of the beef while adding robust flavor. Whether you choose milder provolone piccante or more intense aged provolone, this cheese will satisfy cheese and beef lovers.
Blue Cheese
For an extra punch of flavor, try crumbly blue cheese on your roast beef sandwich. The tangy, salty, almost funky taste contrasts beautifully with the rich meat. Spread some blue cheese dressing on the bread before topping it with roast beef and blue cheese crumbles. The creamy dressing and pungent cheese combine for an amazing flavor experience. Just a little bit of blue cheese goes a long way, so you don’t need much to make an impact.
Gruyère
Gruyère is a classic French cheese that works wonderfully in a roast beef sandwich. Its taste is quite complex: at once sweet, salty, nutty and earthy. Gruyère has a hint of sharpness that complements roast beef’s richness. When melted, it has an elegant, creamy texture that evenly coats the meat. While Gruyère may be hard to find, it’s worth seeking out for its gloriously irresistible flavor with beef.
Cheddar, Swiss, or Provolone: Which Is Best?
Any of these three cheese choices – cheddar, Swiss, or provolone – make an excellent roast beef sandwich. But which one is the very best option? Here is a comparison of the flavors and textures:
| Cheese | Flavor | Texture |
|---|---|---|
| Cheddar | Sharp, tangy, nutty | Firm yet creamy when melted |
| Swiss | Mild, slightly nutty | Very smooth and creamy melt |
| Provolone | Bold, tangy, spicy kick | Rich, buttery melt |
Based on this comparison, provolone edges out the competition. The intense, spicy flavor and silky melt put it at #1 for roast beef sandwiches. Provolone adds the most flavor and texture enhancement. Cheddar takes second place, providing great tangy flavor. And Swiss comes in third with its mild, smooth melt. You really can’t go wrong with any of these fantastic cheese choices!
What About American Cheese?
American cheese is another option you may consider for your roast beef sandwich. While some cheese purists may scoff at American cheese, it does have some positive qualities that work well in a roast beef sandwich:
- Creamy, smooth, easy to melt consistency
- Mild flavor doesn’t compete with the beef
- Traditional pairing with many roast beef sandwiches
- Affordable and easily accessible
On the downside, American cheese lacks complex flavor and tastes quite processed. For those reasons, it ranks lower than cheddar, Swiss, and provolone for roast beef sandwiches. But it can still serve up some cheesy satisfaction!
Bleu Cheese, Muenster, Monterey Jack?
There are plenty of other cheese choices beyond the top ones we’ve covered. Let’s briefly look at a few more options and whether they make a good match for roast beef:
- Bleu cheese – The bold, pungent flavor can overpower the beef. Best in small doses or as a spread.
- Muenster – The mild, soft cheese lacks the assertive flavor for roast beef.
- Monterey Jack – Similar to Muenster, it’s just too mild to stand up to the hearty beef.
- Pepper Jack – The spicy kick pairs well flavor-wise but the texture is not ideal.
- Havarti – Creamy texture but flavor is too mild.
While these cheeses have their merits in other dishes, most lack the full-bodied flavor or creamy meltability that makes cheddar, Swiss, and provolone so perfect for roast beef sandwiches.
Melting the Cheese: Grilled vs. Cold
Once you’ve chosen the ideal cheese, the next decision is whether to melt it on a grilled sandwich or use it cold. Grilling the sandwich opens up the cheese into a warm, gooey, irresistible texture. However, some may prefer to keep the fresh, chilled flavor and firmer bite of unmelted cheese. Each method has its perks:
Melted Cheese
- Warm, creamy, satisfying mouthfeel
- Intensifies cheese flavors
- Allows cheese to mingle with beef juices
- Oozes delightfully with every bite
Cold Cheese
- Bright, crisp texture
- More pronounced cheese flavor
- Keeps sandwich cool if served at room temp
- Easier to slice and serve sandwich
Both melted and cold cheese have their advantages on a roast beef sandwich. Melted cheese offers the quintessential hot sandwich experience, while cold cheese provides a fresher, lighter option. It comes down to whether you want that warm, decadent cheese melt or a cooler, brighter cheese flavor.
Amount of Cheese: More or Less?
When constructing your masterpiece roast beef and cheese sandwich, you’ll need to decide how much cheese to include. Here are some guidelines for cheese portioning:
- 1-2 slices or about 1⁄4 cup shredded/crumbled cheese is usually plenty for one sandwich.
- Go lighter on more pungent cheeses like extra sharp cheddar or bleu cheese so they don’t overwhelm.
- With milder cheeses like Swiss and American, you can be more generous with the amount.
- Too little cheese and you won’t get the right flavor impact. Too much and it becomes greasy.
- Strike a balance so the cheese accents but doesn’t bury the roast beef flavor.
The cheese should be evenly distributed to get some in every bite. Experiment to find your perfect cheese ratio as everyone’s preferences differ. The ideal cheese amount enhances but doesn’t monopolize the beefy deliciousness.
More Mouthwatering Roast Beef Sandwich Ideas
While cheese takes the roast beef sandwich to new heights, you can include many other tasty ingredients:
- Horseradish, mustard, or mayo for tangy flavor
- Lettuce, tomato, onion for crunch
- Pickles, peppers, sautéed mushrooms for spicy kick
- A smear of aioli for creaminess
- Toasted or grilled bread to add texture
Layer up your sandwich with any delicious extras you crave. Get creative to build the ultimate roast beef masterpiece. And always use quality ingredients like juicy, thinly sliced roast beef.
Key Takeaways
Here’s a quick recap of how to pick the perfect cheese for roast beef sandwiches:
- Choose a cheese with bold flavor like sharp cheddar, Swiss, or provolone to complement the beef.
- Look for a creamy, smooth melting texture.
- Melt the cheese or use it cold – both have appealing qualities.
- Use about 1-2 slices or 1⁄4 cup shredded cheese per sandwich.
- Combine with horseradish, mustard, aioli or other mouthwatering extras.
- Craft your ideal cheese and beef flavor experience!
The next time you make a roast beef sandwich, take your cheese choice seriously. Pick a cheese with robust flavor and meltability to do justice to the succulent beef. With the perfect cheese, your sandwich will be taken to a whole new level of deliciousness!