So you’re looking for a good cheese that goes well with pastrami.
You’ve come to the right place!
We’ve got 11 cheeses that are perfect for pairing with the salty, meaty taste of pastrami.
Read Also: 13 Irresistible Pastrami Sandwich Recipes You Need to Try
You’ll find that they’re all delicious and can be used in a variety of ways, whether you’re planning on putting them on sandwiches or just snacking on them by themselves.
So, what cheese goes with pastrami?
The best cheese to go with pastrami is Swiss. A high-quality Swiss cheese is a perfect complement to the salty and smokey qualities of pastrami, and it doesn’t overwhelm the flavor of the meat.
You can serve it as an appetizer after you’ve sliced up the meat, or you can use it as a topping for your sandwich.
So get ready to get your cheese-tasting on!
11 Cheeses that Go Well with Pastrami
You love pastrami. We know you do, because it’s delicious, and we feel you.
But sometimes you don’t know what cheese to eat with that pastrami.
You don’t have to worry anymore!
Here are 11 cheeses that go well with pastrami:
1. Swiss cheese
Swiss cheese has a strong flavor and will not melt as easily as cheddar, but that doesn’t mean it’s not an option for your grilled pastrami sandwich!
You can use Swiss cheese on one side of your sandwich, then melt it using a sandwich press or by putting the other half of your sandwich in a hot pan until it starts to bubble slightly around the edges—just be sure to keep an eye on things so you don’t burn it!
2. Cheddar
Cheddar is a classic cheese that tastes great with pastrami.
The two flavors complement each other well, and they are both very rich.
If you want to use cheddar on your sandwich, you can slice it into cubes or grate it.
You might also want to consider adding some crumbled blue cheese—this adds an extra layer of complexity to the taste of your sandwich!
3. Jarlsberg
Jarlsberg is another type of cheese that pairs well with pastrami.
It has a nutty flavor that will enhance the meaty taste of the pastrami and give it a little more richness and depth.
To add Jarlsberg to your grilled pastrami sandwich, simply place some slices on top of the meat before putting it in your sandwich press or on a hot pan for a couple minutes so that it melts slightly over time!
4. Havarti
Havarti is a semi-hard cheese with a springy texture and subtle sweet and acidic notes.
It is also very versatile since it can be used in both savory dishes as well as desserts.
The best way to enjoy Havarti is to pair it with fruits or vegetables like apples or cucumbers, or even strawberries and blueberries!
You can also try pairing it with breads like bagels or rye bread for an interesting twist on an old classic.
5. Provolone
Provolone is one of the best cheeses to use when making a grilled pastrami sandwich.
It’s smooth, pliable, and has a semi-hard texture, which means it will hold up well under heat.
Its mild smoky flavor complements the flavors in the pastrami.
To make a grilled pastrami sandwich with provolone:
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and coat it with cooking spray or butter. Place two slices of bread on a cutting board, then spread mayonnaise evenly on both slices of bread.
- Add your choice of veggies (lettuce or tomato) and then top with two slices of provolone cheese.
- Place your sandwich in the skillet or on a sandwich press and cook until golden brown on both sides (about 3-5 minutes per side).
- Remove from heat and cut into quarters before serving!
6. American cheese
If you want to make a grilled pastrami sandwich, you need a cheese that will melt easily and be delicious. American cheese is a great option—it’s mild and creamy, with a salty flavor.
Plus, it has a medium-firm consistency that means it won’t fall apart when you put it on your sandwich press or pan.
American cheese has a low melting point, so once you assemble your sandwich and heat the pan, it’ll be ready to serve in just a few minutes!
7. Mozzarella
If you’re looking for a cheese to use with pastrami, you want something that’s soft and easily melts. Mozzarella is the perfect choice.
Mozzarella is softer than other cheeses, which means it will easily melt when you grill or toast your sandwich.
It also has a distinct flavor that goes great with pastrami’s salty and smokey taste.
The texture of mozzarella is also very chewy and stringy, making it especially good for grilling or toasting in a pan.
8. Pepperjack
This semi-soft cheese has an open texture, meaning that it’s not too hard to bite into, which makes it perfect for sandwiches like this. It also has a spicy flavor that pairs nicely with the tangy mustard and pickles in this sandwich.
Finally, its high moisture content means that even if you don’t put it under heat before serving, it will still melt quickly when combined with the corn rye bread (which is also known for being very moist).
9. Blue Cheese Crumbles
Blue cheese crumbles add some extra zing to your sandwich by adding both creamy texture as well as an earthy flavor profile!
Some people even like adding blue cheese crumbles directly onto their sandwich instead of using slices of blue cheese on top so they get more bang for their buck!
10. Camembert
Camembert is French in origin and has been around since the 18th century.
It is made from cow’s milk and has an ivory-colored interior with a downy white surface that resembles that of Brie.
This pungent French cheese has an earthy flavor and pairs well with other strong flavors like pastrami.
11. Gruyere
Gruyere is a perfect cheese for pastrami. It’s rich and creamy, with a salty and nutty flavor that goes well with pastrami.
It’s also commonly used for baking; this makes it easy to spread onto your sandwich without it getting too runny or falling off the meat altogether.
Finally, Gruyere is known as a good melting cheese (which means that it will keep its shape when heated).
How to Choose the Right Cheese to Serve with Pastrami
If you’re looking for the right cheese to serve with pastrami, there are three things to consider: color, texture, and aroma.
1. Color
The color of the cheese is important because you will want to choose a cheese that complements the dark color of the pastrami.
The darker the color of the cheese, the better it will be able to match the dark color of pastrami.
2. Texture
You also want to think about how soft or hard your cheese is.
Soft cheeses like goat cheese or blue cheese are great for pairing with pastrami because they have strong flavors that can stand up to the richness of this dish.
Hard cheeses like cheddar or gruyere will also work well with pastrami if you don’t mind cutting thin slices off a block of cheese (or grating it) so it doesn’t overpower your meal.
3. Aroma
You want something with an aroma that will complement but not overpower your other ingredients.
If you’re serving this dish at a party, you’ll want something that will add a nice subtle scent to your plate without being too strong or overwhelming anyone else’s tastes buds!
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11 Cheeses that Go Well with Pastrami
Ingredients
- Swiss cheese
- Cheddar
- Jarlsberg
- Havarti
- Provolone
- American cheese
- Mozzarella
- Pepperjack
- Blue Cheese Crumbles
- Camembert
- Gruyere
Instructions
- Pick your favorite kind of cheese to serve with your pastrami.
- Prepare the rest of your tasty meal.
- Be ready to munch in no time!
Jenny has always been passionate about cooking, and she uses her platform to share her joy of food with others. Her recipes are easy to follow, and she loves giving tips and tricks to help others create their own unique culinary creations.