When making a fish sandwich, the cheese you pair with it can really make or break the dish. The right cheese enhances the flavors of the fish and other ingredients, while the wrong cheese clashes and leaves you with a mess of flavors competing with each other. So what cheese goes best with a fish sandwich?
Quick Answer
Some of the best cheeses to pair with fish sandwiches are:
- Swiss
- Cheddar
- Gouda
- Havarti
- Muenster
- Pepper jack
These cheeses have flavors that complement fish without overpowering it. They also have textures that work well in a sandwich, melting nicely and adding creaminess. Sharp cheddars, Swiss, and gouda are especially popular choices that are versatile enough to pair well with white fish like cod, tuna, tilapia, and halibut as well as oily fish like salmon and trout.
What Makes a Good Cheese for Fish Sandwiches
When selecting a cheese for any sandwich, you want something that will enhance the other flavors rather than clash with them. With delicate fish, you especially want a cheese that won’t be too overpowering. Here are some things to look for in a fish-friendly cheese:
- Mild flavor – Sharp, pungent cheeses compete too much with the fish. Go for mellow cheeses. Cheddar, Swiss, Havarti, and gouda are all mild flavored cheeses that complement rather than conceal the fish.
- Creamy texture – Ooey, melty cheeses work best for grilled or toasted sandwiches. Opt for softer cheeses like brie or camembert rather than firm, crumbly cheeses.
- Saltiness – A little bit of saltiness boosts the flavors already present in the fish. Slightly salty cheeses like feta or blue cheese can provide a tasty accent.
- Umami flavor – Cheeses like Parmesan and Gruyere have an umami flavor that enhances the other umami-rich ingredients like fish. Just go light on the amount used.
- Neutral flavor – Mozzarella and Monterey Jack have very mild, neutral flavors that won’t compete at all with the fish. They melt extremely well too.
Best Cheeses for Common Fish Sandwiches
While all the cheeses listed above would work well in most fish sandwiches, here are some tailor-made pairings for common types of fish sandwiches:
Tuna Sandwich
Best cheeses: Swiss, cheddar, pepper jack
For hot tuna melts, gooey Swiss or cheddar cheese nicely complements the flavor of the tuna salad without masking it. Pepper jack adds a nice spicy kick that meshes perfectly with the tuna. Sharp cheddar also stands up especially well to the strong tuna flavor.
Salmon Sandwich
Best cheeses: Cream cheese, goat cheese, brie
Buttery, spreadable cheeses like cream cheese, goat cheese, and brie make excellent partners for rich salmon, adding texture and fat to balance the fish’s lean protein. Smoked salmon and goat cheese is a classic combination. Lightly spread one of these creamy cheeses on bread or mix into the salmon salad filling.
Cod Sandwich
Best cheeses: Havarti, gouda, American
The mild flavor of cod needs an equally mild cheese so it isn’t overwhelmed. Havarti, gouda, and American cheeses have just enough flavor to complement the cod without competing. Their melting properties also work great in grilled cod sandwiches.
Halibut Sandwich
Best cheeses: Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, muenster
Buttery, flaky halibut deserves an equally delicate cheese so its subtle notes still shine. Fresh mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and muenster all have a light flavor and silky, melty textures perfect for highlighting halibut’s luxurious texture without masking its fresh taste.
| Fish | Best Cheeses |
|---|---|
| Tuna | Swiss, cheddar, pepper jack |
| Salmon | Cream cheese, goat cheese, brie |
| Cod | Havarti, gouda, American |
| Halibut | Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, muenster |
Cheeses to Avoid with Fish Sandwiches
On the flip side, there are a few cheeses that tend to clash with or overpower the flavor of delicate fish:
- Blue cheese – The pungent, salty flavor of blue cheeses like gorgonzola and Roquefort tend to be overbearing on fish.
- Aged, hard cheeses like parmesan – These hard, crumbly cheeses overpower the fish flavor.
- Smoked gouda – Although regular gouda is a good pairing, smoked gouda introduces a smoky flavor that clashes with plain fish.
- Asiago – The sharpness of asiago competes too much with fish.
- Gruyere – This nutty, earthy cheese can overwhelm delicate fish.
As a general rule, avoid pungent washed-rind cheeses and extremely hard, dry cheeses when making fish sandwiches. Aim for the crowd-pleasing classics like cheddar, Swiss, Havarti, and gouda instead.
Factors that Affect Cheese Pairings
While the cheeses listed above may be surefire matches for basic fish sandwiches, there are a few other factors that can affect what cheese pairs best.
Type of Fish
Lean, mild fish like cod, tilapia, and halibut pair best with creamy, delicate cheeses. Fattier fish like salmon and mackerel can handle slightly bolder cheeses. The preparation of the fish matters too. Grilled, smoked, or fried fish can take stronger cheeses than poached, steamed, or raw fish.
What Else Is on the Sandwich
Consider the other ingredients you’ll be featuring in your sandwich. Do you want cheese that will complement or contrast the flavors? Some examples:
- Tartar sauce – Go for Swiss, gouda or muenster
- Sliced onions – Havarti, Gruyere or blue cheese
- Lettuce and tomato – Mozzarella, Monterey Jack or cheddar
- Sliced apples – Brie or cheddar
- Bacon – Pepper Jack or smoked gouda
Preparation Method
How the sandwich is prepared and served also affects the best cheese choice. Consider:
- Grilled sandwich – Use a cheese that melts well like cheddar or Swiss.
- Cold sandwich – Go for a creamy spreadable cheese like cream cheese or goat cheese.
- Open-faced – Opt for an eye-catching cheese like bleu cheese or sliced Havarti.
Personal Taste Preferences
Don’t forget to consider personal preferences too. If you know someone doesn’t love gouda, for instance, substitute with a mild Swiss or Havarti instead. The beauty of cheese is there are so many varieties to suit every palate!
How to Pick the Right Cheese
Follow this simple process to pick the perfect cheese for any fish sandwich:
- Consider the flavors of the fish and other sandwich fillings – are they delicate or bold?
- Decide if you want the cheese to complement or contrast the key flavors.
- Choose a cheese texture that matches the sandwich preparation method.
- Make sure the cheese matches the other ingredients’ flavors.
- Take personal preferences into account.
Selecting cheese for a sandwich involves a bit more thought than just grabbing the first bag you see. But with the pairings above as a guideline plus considering the flavors and textures you want, you’ll be sure to create a harmonious fish sandwich everyone will savor.
How to Slice Cheese for Sandwiches
Once you’ve selected the perfect cheese, proper slicing is key to both presentation and getting that ideal melty factor in every bite. Here are some tips for slicing cheese for sandwiches:
- Let cheese come to room temperature before slicing to prevent cracking or crumbling.
- Use a sharp knife and slice thinly for even melting. Aim for 1/16 to 1/8 inch thick.
- If using a block of cheese, cut slightly wider slices than the bread to allow some overhang.
- Stack multiple thin slices for extra melty sandwiches.
- Cut sliced cheese into triangles to provide more coverage across the sandwich.
- For open-faced sandwiches, cut wedge shapes for visual appeal.
Tips for the Perfect Cheese-Topped Fish Sandwich
Once you’ve chosen the cheese, finish your sandwich like a pro:
- Butter or mayo the outsides of bread before grilling for golden, toasty exterior.
- Spread a thin layer of complimentary flavored cheese spread or sauce on the bread first. Try chive cream cheese, mustard sauce, or basil aioli.
- Layer lettuce or greens under the cheese to prevent sticking.
- Butter the pan or grill lightly to prevent sticking and get an evenly melted sandwich.
- Cover while cheese melts, but press gently with a spatula to help it melt evenly.
- Let rest for 1-2 minutes after grilling so the cheese finishes melting without over-leaking.
Conclusion
With so many cheese options out there, it can seem overwhelming trying to determine what cheese goes best with fish sandwiches. Luckily, there are some tried and true pairings that will enhance any fish sandwich you create. Combining flavor profiles and textures properly results in cheese and fish becoming greater than the sum of their parts. Armed with this guide to universally loved cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, Havarti, and gouda, you can build the perfect fish sandwich sure to please any guest or family member.