Give Ham Sandwiches Luxurious Flavor With A Slice Of This Old-Fashioned Cheese

A meaty, savory ham sandwich doesn't have to be fancy to satisfy, but by adding luxurious ingredients, you can majorly upgrade your lunch while staying true to its simple spirit. Cheese is one component that's fun to customize, and one variety in particular lends your sandwich a scrumptious flavor and old-fashioned flair. Red Leicester is the tasty English cheese you should use on your ham sandwich in place of run-of-the-mill cheddar or Swiss.

Red Leicester is named after the English county Leicestershire, where the cheese originated back in the 17th century. It's one of the best cheeses for a luxurious ham sandwich thanks to its wonderfully complex, nutty, sweet-and-savory flavor and moist yet flaky texture. Its notes of caramel will complement any ham you choose for your sandwich, whether the meat is salty, sweet, and/or smoky. Red Leicester's striking reddish-orange color also adds visual appeal to your sandwich, and as the saying goes, you eat with your eyes first.

If you like cheddar with ham, Red Leicester has a similar flavor profile, making it a fresh and exciting alternative. A younger Red Leicester offers a milder taste that will enhance your sandwich without overwhelming the other ingredients, while mature, longer-aged varieties have robust flavors that stand out more, giving the cheese a starring role alongside the ham. To make your lunch even better, we have ideas for condiment and veggie pairings that enhance Red Leicester to its fullest.

To play up the old-fashioned English spirit of Red Leicester, use some classic British sauces and condiments on your ham sandwich. Horseradish, Branston pickle, and punchy English mustard would all add sharpness to the sweet and savory profile. To go in a different direction, upgrade your ham sandwich with marmalade, another spread that's been beloved in the U.K. for centuries. Its sweet, tart, slightly bitter citrus notes would enhance the caramelized taste of the Red Leicester and the saltiness of ham.

For another sweet addition, apple slices deserve a place on your next ham sandwich. The crisp fruit pairs superbly with cheddar, and it will be equally complementary to Red Leicester. Lettuce forms another crunchy, refreshing counterpart to the rich cheese and meat, but peppery greens like arugula will better balance the sweet notes. You can also toss together a side salad with bitter greens plus a sharp vinaigrette, which would cut through your hefty sandwich perfectly.

Prefer hot sandwiches? Red Leicester melts well for a delicious ham toastie or panini. Try using it in a savory and sweet Monte Cristo recipe with ham, fig jam, cinnamon, and powdered sugar. Caramelized onions, bacon, or a spicy spread like red pepper jelly or jam would also be mighty tasty. Tomato soup, grilled cheese's most famous partner, would make for a hearty accompaniment to your melty sandwich, but we'd also never say no to a side of fries.