11 Cheeses That Go Best with Cold Ham Sandwich

A cold ham sandwich is the perfect snack for a lazy Saturday afternoon.

It’s easy to make and can be packed up and taken on the go, making it the perfect meal for when you’re out running errands or lounging at home.

But what cheese goes best with a cold ham sandwich?

The best cheese for a cold ham sandwich is Swiss. The sharpness of the Swiss works well with the saltiness of the ham and cuts through any fat in the meat, making it a perfect complement to any type of ham.

In this post, I’ll go over 11 cheeses that are guaranteed to be the perfect pairing for your next ham sandwich!

What Cheese Goes Best with A Cold Ham Sandwich?

The best cheese to pair with a cold ham sandwich is Swiss. Swiss cheese has a distinctive flavor that goes well with the meaty flavor of ham, and it also has a strong bite that will stand up to the crunchiness of the bread.

Here are my top 11 cheeses to go with your next cold ham sandwich:

1. Brie

If you’re a fan of rich, buttery cheeses, Brie is the one for you.

This soft cow’s-milk cheese has a creamy texture and a runny, spreadable texture that is perfect for slathering on a sandwich.

The rind is usually eaten as well, and it becomes more earthy as the cheese ages—so if you’re looking for something slightly more robust than your average sandwich cheese, this could be the one for you.

Brie has a rich, fruity aroma with an increasingly earthy scent as it ages.

It pairs well with ham because it’s so mild and creamy—the earthiness of the Brie will cut through the saltiness of the ham perfectly.

2. Blue Cheese

Blue cheese, a sharp and salty cheese that is aged for 2-3 months, can be a great addition to your cold ham sandwich.

The creamy texture and crumbly texture of blue cheese make it a good pairing with the meat in your sandwich—it will add a punch of flavor and texture that can help cut through the richness of the meat in your sandwich.

3. Pepper Jack Cheese

Pepper Jack cheese is a variant of Monterey Jack cheese.

It is a semi-soft, slightly crumbly cheese with a spicy flavor.

It melts easily and has a high moisture content, so it’s perfect for pairing with cold ham sandwiches.

When choosing the right kind of Pepper Jack cheese for your sandwich, look for one that is made with pasteurized milk and without preservatives or artificial ingredients.

You can also choose between mild and sharp varieties—the sharper variety will have a higher percentage of cayenne pepper in it, while the milder version will be less spicy but still have a nice kick from black pepper.

If you’re looking for something even more flavorful than the classic Pepper Jack cheeses, consider experimenting with smoked varieties or adding some extra spices to your sandwich!

4. Cheddar

Cheddar is a natural cheese that’s relatively hard, sometimes sharp-tasting, and very mild, creamy, and smooth.

It’s a little melty and moist, too—a little like the cold ham sandwich you’re pairing it with.

The flavor of cheddar is so versatile that it can be used in so many different ways: as an ingredient in soups and stews; melted over vegetables; or even on top of a baked potato!

But our favorite way to enjoy cheddar is by itself on top of a warm piece of crusty bread (we’re partial to sourdough).

Cheese pairs so well with ham sandwiches because they’re both salty foods.

Cheddar has just enough saltiness to balance out the saltiness of the ham without being too overpowering.

The creaminess of cheddar also complements the creamy texture of the meat from your sandwich.

5. Havarti

Havarti is a semisoft Danish cow’s milk cheese that can be sliced, grilled, or melted.

It has a mild flavor similar to that of a Monterey Jack, but with a little more tang.

This cheese is often found on sandwiches, especially on cold ham sandwiches.

It’s also similar to Tilsit—a product that is made from cow’s milk and has a similar texture and flavor profile as Havarti.

Havarti is an excellent addition to any sandwich because it adds both flavor and texture to the meal.

You can slice it into thin pieces and layer them onto your sandwich or melt them right into the bread itself!

If you’re looking for something new to try on your next ham sandwich, add some Havarti!

6. Muenster Cheese

Muenster is a semi-soft cheese that comes from the US.

It’s similar to Gouda, but a bit milder and easier to work with when making sandwiches.

Everyone loves this cheese, and it’s excellent for pairing with snacks or sandwiches.

You’ll find it in any grocery store, and it doesn’t cost much at all.

It’s one of those rare things that you can find anywhere, but also one of those rare things that everyone finds delicious.

The texture is creamy and slightly crumbly.

It has a mild flavor that makes it great for any meal (including breakfast).

And this cheese melts well—you can use it on your favorite grilled cheese sandwich without worrying about it getting too oily or soft!

7. Gouda

Gouda is a sweet, creamy, yellow cow’s milk cheese from the Netherlands.

It’s one of the most popular cheeses worldwide, and it pairs well with a cold ham sandwich because it has a rich, savory flavor with notes of caramel or butterscotch.

Gouda is made by coagulating milk with rennet, which comes from the lining of a calf’s stomach.

The resulting curd is then pressed into molds and stood in rooms where the temperature is kept at just above freezing for anywhere between two weeks to three months.

The longer it ages, the stronger its flavor becomes—and that’s what makes it such an exceptional pairing for ham.

The aging process also causes Gouda to develop little salty crystals throughout its interior; these are what give this cheese its smooth texture and distinctive taste.

8. Gruyere

Gruyere is a Swiss-type or Alpine cheese that has a similar flavor to Fontina and is great for baking.

It has an earthy and nutty flavor, with fewer holes than other Swiss cheeses.

It’s a good melting cheese because it melts well and has a creamy texture, which makes it perfect for sandwiches!

Gruyere pairs well with cold ham sandwiches because of its nutty notes, which complement the salty ham perfectly.

The earthy flavor also complements the tanginess of mustard, which can be added to the sandwich if desired.

9. Provolone

Provolone is an Italian cheese, originating in Campania. It is smooth and pliable, making it a great melting cheese.

Provolone has a mild, tangy flavor that pairs well with a cold ham sandwich. It can also be added to a cheese plate as a delicious addition to any lunch or dinner.

Provolone is made from cow’s milk and has a soft texture that makes it easy to slice, shred, or grate.

This cheese is especially good for cooking because it melts easily and doesn’t become rubbery when heated—another reason why it pairs so well with a cold ham sandwich!

When cooking with this cheese, keep in mind that its aroma will intensify as it heats up; if you’re trying to avoid overpowering the flavors of your dish with its scent, go easy on the amount used until you get the hang of it.

If you’re looking for something new to try on your next sandwich night at home, give Provolone a try!

10. Goat Cheese

Goat cheese is a good source of protein, healthy fats, and has an almost spreadable texture.

It also has a flavor that can be earthy and tart but often has a hint of sweetness to it.

When you’re looking for a cheese to pair with your cold ham sandwich, goat cheese is an excellent choice.

It’s packed with protein and healthy fats, which will help keep you satisfied throughout the day.

The almost spreadable texture makes it easy to spread on your sandwich and the earthy flavor pairs well with the salty meatiness of the ham.

But goat cheese isn’t just delicious; it’s also good for you!

Goat cheese is high in protein, which helps maintain muscle mass and can even aid in weight loss if eaten in moderation.

11. Fontina

Fontina is a hard, earthy, mushroomy, and woody cheese with a nutty flavor.

It’s similar to gouda in that it has a creamy texture and melts well.

Fontina is often used in pizza because it melts well over heat.

This makes it an ideal choice for pairing with your cold ham sandwich!

Fontina is aged for up to two years before being sold, which gives it its unique flavor.

When aged properly, the cheese becomes nuttier as time goes on.

When this happens, the flavors become more intense and develop into a deeper taste that can be hard to describe if you’ve never had it before.

Fontina pairs well with other foods that have similar flavors such as mushrooms or nuts because they tend to go well together when eaten at the same time.

Related:

10 Cheeses That Go Best with A Salami Sandwich?

What Soup Goes With Reuben Sandwiches? 13 Best Soups

12 Cheeses That Go Best with Chicken Sandwiches

What Sandwich Goes with Cream of Mushroom Soup? (14 Options)

What Sandwich Goes with Cauliflower Soup? (8 Sandwiches)

10 Cheeses That Go Best with Cold Roast Beef Sandwiches

What Cheese Goes Best with A Roast Beef Sandwich? 12 Options

What Cheese Goes Best with A Tuna Sandwich? (15 Cheeses)

What’s the Best Bread for Tuna Melt? (18 Kinds of Bread)

What Bread to Serve with Greek Salad? 10 Best Breads