11 Best Cheeses for Roast Beef Sandwiches

Are you ready to take your roast beef sandwiches to the next level? The secret lies in the cheese! While roast beef alone is undeniably delicious, adding the right cheese can elevate its flavors and create a mouthwatering combination that will have your taste buds dancing with joy.

But where to start in your search for the ultimate options of cheeses for roast beef sandwiches? You can use our list to explore the best cheeses for this specific flavor combination. 

Some easy options include cheddar, Gouda, mozzarella, Swiss cheese, and Havarti. Then, you can also explore more daring options like Brie, blue cheese, or Muenster.

In this article, we’re going to explore the 11 best cheeses that will turn your ordinary roast beef sandwich into an extraordinary culinary delight.

What Is a Roast Beef Sandwich and What Goes Into Making It?

A roast beef sandwich is a delicious creation that combines thinly sliced or shaved roast beef with various condiments and toppings, all served between two slices of bread. It is a popular sandwich enjoyed by many meat lovers around the world.

While it’s challenging to pinpoint the exact origin of the roast beef sandwich, it is believed to have roots in the United States.

The sandwich became particularly popular in the early 20th century when roast beef was a staple of American cuisine.

Over time, it has evolved and found its place in various regional cuisines and sandwich shops globally.

Creating a roast beef sandwich involves several key components. First and foremost, you’ll need tender and flavorful slices of roast beef. This can be achieved by slow-cooking a beef roast until it reaches a tender and juicy consistency.

Seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic powder, and herbs can be added to enhance the flavor profile of the beef.

The choice of bread is another crucial element. Classic options include soft and fresh bread rolls, baguettes, or sliced bread. Some prefer a crusty exterior to contrast with the tender beef, while others opt for a softer texture. It’s all a matter of personal preference.

To add layers of flavor, a variety of condiments and toppings can be used. Common choices include horseradish sauce, mayonnaise, mustard, and BBQ sauce.

Additionally, lettuce, tomato slices, pickles, onions, and cheese can be added to provide texture and additional taste.

Variations of the roast beef sandwich exist to cater to different palates and regional preferences. Some popular variations include the French dip, where the roast beef sandwich is served with a side of au jus for dipping. In some regions, the addition of sautéed onions and bell peppers gives the sandwich a delightful twist.

Whether you’re enjoying a classic roast beef sandwich or exploring variations, this delightful creation is sure to satisfy your cravings for tender, meaty goodness between two slices of bread.

What Role Does Cheese Play? And Why Should You Consider Different Options?

Cheese plays a significant role in the assembly of a roast beef sandwich, adding a creamy and savory element to the overall flavor profile. It not only enhances the taste but also contributes to the sandwich’s texture and richness.

The choice of cheese can greatly influence the overall experience, and considering different cheese options is important to create the perfect roast beef sandwich.

One of the most common (and popular) cheese choices for a roast beef sandwich is provolone. Provolone cheese has a mild and slightly tangy flavor that complements the savory roast beef. It melts beautifully when layered on the warm beef, creating a smooth and creamy texture that adds an extra layer of indulgence to each bite.

However, there are numerous other cheese options to consider when assembling a roast beef sandwich, depending on personal preference and desired flavor combinations.

For instance, Swiss cheese offers a nutty and slightly sweet taste that pairs well with roast beef. Cheddar cheese provides a sharper and more robust flavor that adds a bold kick to the sandwich.

Each cheese brings its own character, elevating the overall experience and allowing for customization based on individual preferences.

11 Best Cheeses for Roast Beef Sandwiches

So, without further ado, let’s explore the best cheese options for various roast beef sandwich recipes and what makes them so great!

1. Provolone

Provolone cheese is a versatile Italian cheese with distinct characteristics that make it an excellent choice for a roast beef sandwich. It is a semi-hard cheese, typically made from cow’s milk and aged to develop its unique flavors and textures.

Provolone cheese has a mild and slightly tangy taste, offering a subtle and savory flavor that pairs exceptionally well with roast beef. Its flavor is not overpowering, allowing the beef to remain the star while providing a complementary richness to the overall sandwich experience.

Its melting properties are one of its key attributes. When placed on warm roast beef or heated in a sandwich press, provolone cheese melts beautifully, creating a luscious and gooey layer that binds the ingredients together.

This meltiness not only enhances the overall texture of the sandwich but also helps to meld the flavors together.

Whether paired with horseradish sauce, mustard, or a medley of fresh vegetables, provolone cheese provides a smooth and creamy element that enhances the sandwich’s overall enjoyment.

2. Gouda

Gouda cheese is a Dutch cheese that has gained popularity worldwide for its unique characteristics and delicious taste. Made from cow’s milk, Gouda cheese is known for its smooth and creamy texture, rich flavors, and excellent melting properties.

In terms of taste, Gouda cheese offers a delightful balance between sweet and nutty flavors. It has a mild and slightly caramel-like sweetness that pairs beautifully with the savory notes of roast beef. The nutty undertones add depth and complexity too.

The texture of Gouda cheese is semi-soft when young, becoming firmer and more crumbly as it ages. It has a smooth and creamy consistency that lends itself well to melting.

When heated, Gouda cheese melts smoothly. This meltiness contributes to the overall mouthfeel and helps to marry the flavors, creating a cohesive and satisfying bite.

Additionally, Gouda cheese’s versatility makes it an excellent option for various toppings and condiments commonly found in a roast beef sandwich.

3. Swiss Cheese

Swiss cheese is a type of cheese that originated in Switzerland and has become well-loved worldwide. It’s known for its iconic appearance, featuring large holes or “eyes” scattered throughout its pale yellow interior.

In terms of taste, Swiss cheese offers a mild and slightly sweet flavor with nutty undertones. It has a pleasant, buttery quality that adds a delicate richness to the overall profile of the cheese. This mild flavor allows the roast beef to shine while still contributing its own unique taste to the sandwich.

The texture of Swiss cheese is semi-firm, with a smooth and supple consistency. It has a springy and slightly elastic texture that allows for easy slicing or melting.

When melted, Swiss cheese becomes wonderfully gooey and creamy, making it an excellent choice for a roast beef sandwich.

Another reason Swiss cheese makes a great option for a roast beef sandwich is its ability to complement a wide range of flavors and condiments.

It’s a fantastic option that is really easy to find and relatively affordable.

4. Cheddar Cheese

Cheddar cheese is a popular and widely enjoyed cheese that originated in England but is now produced and enjoyed worldwide. It is a semi-hard cheese known for its rich, sharp, and distinct flavor profile.

The taste of cheddar cheese can vary depending on its aging process. Younger cheddar tends to have a mild and creamy taste, while older cheddar develops a sharper and more robust flavor. 

The flavor profile of cheddar cheese pairs exceptionally well with the savory notes of roast beef, adding depth and complexity to the sandwich.

Cheddar cheese is firm and crumbly, yet it can also have a smooth and creamy mouthfeel. This makes it versatile for different applications, including slicing for sandwiches.

When it comes to melting properties, cheddar cheese melts smoothly, creating a gooey and creamy consistency that enhances the overall sandwich experience.

There are various options available when it comes to cheddar cheese. Some common variations include mild, medium, sharp, and extra sharp cheddar. Each variation offers a different level of flavor intensity, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your taste preferences.

For roast beef sandwiches, medium or sharp cheddar cheese is often recommended as it provides a balance of flavor that complements the beef without overpowering it.

5. Mozzarella

Mozzarella cheese is one of the most famous Italian cheese options that is widely known for its smooth, creamy texture and mild, milky flavor.

It is traditionally made from the milk of water buffaloes, although most commercially available mozzarella is made from cow’s milk.

When it comes to taste, mozzarella cheese has a delicate and slightly sweet flavor. It offers a subtle tang that adds a pleasant dimension to the overall taste of the cheese.

The mildness of mozzarella allows the flavors of the roast beef to shine, while still providing a creamy and complementary element to the sandwich.

Texture-wise, mozzarella cheese is soft and elastic. It has a high moisture content, giving it a supple and smooth consistency.

This texture makes it ideal for melting, as it becomes wonderfully stringy and gooey when heated. The melting properties of mozzarella help bind the roast beef and other ingredients together, creating a cohesive and indulgent sandwich experience.

One of the biggest reasons mozzarella makes a great cheese option for a roast beef sandwich is its ability to complement various flavors. 

6. Havarti

Havarti cheese is a semi-soft Danish cheese that originated in Denmark. It is renowned for its buttery, creamy flavor and smooth texture, making it a popular choice for sandwiches and melts.

This cheese offers a mild and slightly tangy flavor profile. It has a buttery undertone with hints of sweetness, lending a rich and creamy taste to the cheese. The mildness of Havarti allows the flavors of the roast beef to take center stage while adding a velvety and indulgent element to the sandwich.

Texture-wise, Havarti cheese is smooth, supple, and sliceable.

Havarti cheese melts beautifully, forming a smooth and velvety layer over the roast beef. And, it melts incredibly well, helping bind the ingredients (and flavors) together effortlessly.

7. Blue Cheese

This option will either be a hit or miss, depending on your preferences.

Blue cheese is a unique and distinctive type of cheese that is known for its pungent flavor and characteristic blue veins running through it. It is made from cow’s, sheep’s, or goat’s milk and is aged to develop its signature taste and texture.

The taste of blue cheese is bold, tangy, and often described as sharp or piquant. It has a rich, complex flavor that intensifies with age.

The cheese has a creamy and crumbly texture, with the blue veins providing a pleasant, slightly salty bite. The strong flavor of blue cheese adds a robust and tangy element to a roast beef sandwich, elevating its overall taste profile.

Texture-wise, blue cheese can vary depending on the specific type and aging process. It can range from being soft and spreadable to slightly crumbly or even crumbly with a creamy interior.

This texture allows for easy incorporation into a sandwich, whether it’s spread on the bread or crumbled over the roast beef.

When it comes to melting properties, blue cheese does not melt in the same way as some other cheeses. Instead, it softens and becomes creamy when heated, but it retains its distinct texture and flavor. 

8. Gruyere

Gruyère cheese is another versatile and flavorful Swiss cheese that originated in the Gruyère region of Switzerland.

This cheese offers a nutty and slightly sweet flavor with a hint of earthiness. It has a rich and complex profile that becomes more pronounced with age. The cheese provides a delightful balance of savory and sweet notes, complementing the savory flavors of roast beef beautifully.

Texture-wise, gruyère cheese is firm and dense, yet it has a supple and smooth mouthfeel. It is easy to slice or shred, making it suitable for sandwiches.

When heated, gruyère cheese melts exceptionally well, turning into a luscious and creamy consistency.

Furthermore, gruyère cheese has a distinctive aroma that adds another layer of sensory delight to the sandwich experience.

9. Brie

Brie cheese is a soft and creamy French cheese with a bloomy rind. It is known for its luxurious texture, rich flavor, and distinctive aroma. Brie is made from cow’s milk and is aged to develop its unique characteristics.

Brie is rich and indulgent, with a mild and delicate flavor that pairs beautifully with the savory roast beef in a sandwich.

Texture-wise, brie cheese is soft and creamy with a thin, edible rind. It has a silky smoothness. When heated, brie cheese becomes even creamier and slightly gooey, making it an excellent option for adding a luscious and melty layer to the sandwich.

One of the reasons brie cheese works well in a roast beef sandwich is its ability to enhance the overall mouthfeel and taste experience. It’s creamy texture and subtle tanginess complement the tender roast beef, creating a harmonious combination of flavors and textures.

Additionally, brie cheese pairs wonderfully with a variety of other ingredients commonly found in roast beef sandwiches.

10. Feta

Nearing the end of our list, we just had to include feta cheese, which is a tangy and crumbly cheese that originates from Greece.

It is made from sheep’s or goat’s milk and is known for its distinct flavor and versatility in various dishes, including roast beef sandwiches.

In terms of taste, feta cheese has a salty and tangy profile with a hint of tartness. It offers a unique combination of flavors that adds a delightful zing to the sandwich.

Feta cheese is crumbly and slightly creamy. It easily breaks apart, allowing you to sprinkle it over the sandwich or incorporate it into the filling.

While feta cheese doesn’t melt like some other cheeses, its crumbly nature works exceptionally well in a roast beef sandwich, providing bursts of flavor in every bite.

One of the reasons feta cheese makes a good cheese option for a roast beef sandwich is its ability to cut through the richness of the meat. The tangy and salty notes of feta cheese add a vibrant and distinctive taste that balances the flavors of the roast beef.

Furthermore, feta cheese pairs wonderfully with a variety of other ingredients commonly found in roast beef sandwiches. From fresh vegetables like lettuce and tomatoes to flavorful condiments such as olives or tzatziki sauce, feta cheese complements these components and adds complexity to the sandwich.

11. Muenster

Last and not least, we end on another banger! Muenster cheese is a semi-soft cheese that originated in France but is now commonly produced in the United States.

This cheese offers a mild and slightly tangy flavor. It has a buttery and creamy undertone that adds a subtle richness to the sandwich. The taste is not overpowering, allowing the savory flavors of the roast beef to shine while still providing a pleasant and complementary backdrop.

It is semi-soft, which means it is not overly firm and has a slightly springy consistency. 

One of the reasons muenster cheese works well in a roast beef sandwich is its ability to melt smoothly and evenly. As it melts, it becomes wonderfully creamy, enveloping the slices of roast beef with its velvety texture.

Additionally, muenster cheese is versatile and pairs well with a range of ingredients commonly found in roast beef sandwiches. It harmonizes with vegetables like lettuce and tomatoes, as well as condiments such as mustard or horseradish sauce.