Here I’ll show you the tastiest way to whip up a classic Ham and Cheese Sandwich!
Most likely, you’ll see the classic ham and cheese sandwich in the sandwich section of the grocery store. Just because it’s so much easier and tastes better to make at home, I never make it. But the combo of cheese and ham should be celebrated nevertheless, and that’s exactly what we’re doing today. Follow me….
Honey ham is a beloved centerpiece for many holiday meals and special occasions The sweet, sticky glaze provides a lovely balance to the salty, smoky ham But what cheese should you serve alongside it? Here are some of my top picks for the best cheeses to complement honey ham’s unique flavors.
Swiss Cheese
Swiss cheese whether the original aged, semi-hard Emmentaler or young buttery Baby Swiss, has a nutty richness and slight tartness that offsets the salty sweetness of a honey-glazed ham.
The eyes and mellow flavor of Swiss make it a crowd-pleasing choice It’s mild enough not to overpower the ham but has enough character to hold its own, Sliced Swiss and honey ham together between bread makes an excellent sandwich
Other Alpine-style cheeses like Gruyère and Jarlsberg will do the trick as well. In general, cheeses from this region pair beautifully with cured meats.
Aged Cheddar
For a more robust cheese flavor, go for an aged cheddar, preferably one that’s been aged over 1 year. The sharpness of the extra-mature cheddar contrasts nicely with the honey ham’s sweetness.
A nice English or Irish cheddar would be ideal. I like to serve a chunk of cheddar with a slice of honey ham, along with whole grain crackers or crusty bread. The combination makes a satisfying appetizer or snack.
Brie
Soft, creamy brie cheese is another classic pairing for ham. The buttery brie mellows out the saltiness of the ham. And its decadent texture feels indulgent alongside the savoriness of the meat.
For an appetizer, bake wedges of brie till just warmed and oozing, then serve with honey ham slices and toasted baguette. The sweet and savory flavors complement each other beautifully.
Just be sure to choose a good quality brie made from cow’s milk, not a cheap commercial version. You want the real deal for this pairing.
Goat Cheese
The tanginess of goat cheese contrasts wonderfully with honey ham’s sweet glaze. Goat cheese also has a nice crumbly texture rather than being too soft.
I like to roll goat cheese into small balls, then skewer them with honey ham slices for easy hors d’oeuvres. For a salad, crumble goat cheese over greens then top with sliced honey ham.
Aged goat cheeses will pack even more flavor. Try ones blended with herbs or black pepper for more complexity.
Gouda
Gouda is a Dutch cheese known for its smooth, rich texture and lightly sweet, nutty flavor. With notes of butterscotch and caramel, it complements the sweetness of honey ham.
Aged gouda provides a nice balance of sweetness and sharpness to offset the ham. Smoked gouda also pairs well, since it echoes the smoky flavor of the cured meat.
For maximum indulgence, make a honey ham and gouda melt on sourdough bread. The sweet and salty flavors combine in the best way.
Havarti
Havarti is a semi-soft Danish cheese with a very creamy, buttery texture. It has a mild, slightly tangy flavor that won’t overwhelm the ham. The buttery notes echo the sweet glaze nicely.
I’d recommend using a Havarti that contains dill or other herbs, as the extra flavor dimension helps it stand up to the ham. Make little open-faced sandwiches with havarti, honey ham, and spicy mustard on rye bread.
Final Thoughts
When putting together a cheese plate to accompany honey ham, go for a variety of textures and flavors. Including different styles – from aged hard cheeses to soft, melty ones – creates contrast and visual appeal.
Pairing honey ham with cheese is an easy way to create tasty appetizers for a party or holiday gathering. The options are endless, whether you’re in the mood for a cheese platter, baked brie, sandwiches, salads or more. With the right cheeses, you can highlight honey ham’s distinctive sweet and salty appeal.
Comments
John: For me, nothing beats a good Havarti or Jarlsberg with honey ham. The creamy, buttery flavors pair so well with the glaze. I like to layer thin slices of ham and cheese between rye bread with a smear of mustard for a perfect lunch.
Mary: My favorite is a nice aged Irish cheddar, preferably at least 2 years old. The sharpness stands up to the salty ham and contrasts with the sweetness. I just serve chunks of cheddar and ham together with crackers. Such a tasty and easy appetizer!
Mark: I’m a big fan of brie with honey ham. I bake wedges of brie until just starting to ooze, then top with sliced ham. The creaminess mellows out the ham’s saltiness. Delicious served with toasted baguette rounds!
Sarah: For me, it’s all about the Swiss! A nice Emmentaler or Baby Swiss pairs so well with honey ham. There’s something about the nutty, buttery Swiss flavors that complement the sweet glaze. And you can’t beat a Swiss and ham sandwich.
Chris: I like to use fresh goat cheese with honey ham, especially a nice aged goat cheese blended with herbs. The tanginess contrasts with the sweet glaze beautifully. I put them on skewers together for easy hors d’oeuvres. Yum!
What else can I add to a ham and cheese sandwich?
In all honesty, you don’t need anything else. Leave it alone! You could add different toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle, but that would be too far off the beaten path.
Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for this ham and cheese sandwich shall we?!
Toasted Ham and Cheese Sandwich (optional)
Typically I make cold ham and cheese sandwiches, but now and then I’ll toast it up. You can call them “ham and cheese toasties” or “ham grilled cheese” because they are so easy to make.
Instead of spreading the butter/mayo on the inside, just spread one or the other on the outside. Place in a nonstick pan over medium-low heat. Fry both sides until they are golden and the cheese melts in the middle. Alternatively, you can use a toastie machine if you have one!.
Spread mayo or butter on the outside of the sandwich and put it in the pan (photo 1). Fry both sides (photo 2). Cut the sandwich in half (photo 3)
Honey Glazed Ham – The Perfect Thanksgiving Feast
FAQ
What cheese goes the best with ham?
Is ham and cheese a good combo?
What cheese goes well with honey glazed ham?
When paired with ham, the savory flavors of the cheese work well with the saltiness of the meat to form a delicious combination. The strong sharpness of a mature cheddar works especially well with honey-glazed ham. The rich and salty cheese will cut through the sweetness of the honey to create a tantalizing mix of flavors. 4. Red Leicester
Is honey baked ham as good as regular ham?
The addition of honey will affect the calorie content of the food. One tablespoon of honey contributes to approximately 64 calories. In addition, the use of heat when making baked ham will reduce the quality of the honey.
How do you pair cheese with a ham?
Pairing cheese with ham can happen on a fancy French appetizer plate — or it can be part of pulling together a sandwich for lunch, either cold or grilled. Glazing a ham with honey before roasting and slicing it is a common technique that adds a note of sweetness to complement the meat’s saltiness.
What cheese goes well with a ham and cheese sandwich?
A variety of cheeses go well with this flavor profile, from hard and semi-hard to soft and creamy French-style offerings. Cheddar is the go-to cheese for a classic ham and cheese sandwich. Its sharpness cuts through the sweet honey glaze and balances the saltiness of the ham.