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How to Make an English Cheese and Pickle Sandwich

A Cheese and Pickle Sandwich is an absolute British classic. Here I'll give you some nifty tips and tricks to creating the most delicious cheese and pickle sarnie!

If you're reading this with some connection to the UK in anyway shape or form, this sandwich needs no introduction. For everyone else, I know what you're thinking: 'Do pickles and cheese go together?' and the answer is yes, yes and absolutely yes. The sweet, tangy flavours of the pickle compliment the salty, fatty flavour in the cheese PERFECTLY. Everyone grab some bread and follow me…

4 sandwich halves stacked on each other on wooden board with jar of pickle behind

Cheese and Pickle Sandwich

What type of Pickle to use?

I know when I usually hear 'pickle' I get images of actual pickles (pickled cucumber). But here pickle refers to a pickled vegetable chutney. In terms of what pickle to use, I've never used anything other than Branston. I usually go for Original Pickle because I like the big chunks, but you can use small chunk pickle or smooth, depending on your texture preference!

What Cheese to use in a Cheese and Pickle Sandwich?

The classic option is Mature Cheddar Cheese and that's what I strongly recommend. I also like to add in Red Leicester, but you can sub more cheddar if you want! Classically you'd slice the cheese into wedges, but I prefer to grate the cheese. I find you get a better coverage of cheese. Using cheese slices is a bit like playing Tetris when you try and stack the sandwich 😂

What can I add to a Cheese and Pickle Sandwich?

I recommend any or all of these:

  • Ham
  • Tomatoes
  • Rocket or Lettuce
  • Red Onion

Process shots: butter one side of bread, spread mayo on the other (photo 1), top with pickle (photo 2), add cheddar (photo 3), add red leicester (photo 4), top with bread (photo 5), slice (photo 6).

6 step by step photos showing how to make a cheese and pickle sandwich

Cheese and Pickle Toastie

You can absolutely turn a cheese and pickle sandwich into a cheese and pickle toastie! There's just a few adjustments you'll have to make. The main thing is to ensure you're using thick slices of sturdy bread (something like a Sourdough works great). The other thing I recommend is spreading the pickle between the two cheeses, just to ensure it doesn't seep into the bread.

How to make a Cheese and Pickle Toastie

  1. Butter outside of bread.
  2. Top with cheese then add pickle.
  3. Top with more cheese.
  4. Add bread and spread with butter.
  5. Add to large pan over medium heat.
  6. Fry both sides until golden.

6 step by step photos showing how to make a cheese and pickle toastie

What to serve with a Cheese and Pickle sandwich?

  • Crisp/Chip Recommendation: The flavour is fairly tangy so I recommend a ready salted flavour with this sandwich.
  • Side Recommendation: This sandwich goes perfectly in a soup & sandwich combo with a Tomato Soup!

Alrighty, let's tuck into the full recipe for this cheese and pickle sandwich shall we?!

How to make a Cheese and Pickle Sandwich  (Full Recipe & Video)

4 sandwich halves stacked on each other on wooden board with jar of pickle behind

Cheese and Pickle Sandwich

A Cheese and Pickle Sandwich is an absolute British classic. Here I'll give you some nifty tips and tricks to creating the most delicious cheese and pickle sarnie!

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Course: lunch

Cuisine: British

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Servings (click & slide): 2 sandwiches

Calories per serving: 421 kcal

Cost per serving: £2.50 / $3

  • Knife & Chopping Board

  • Cheese Grater

  • Frying Pan & Spatula (optional if making toastie - see notes)

Sandwich

  • 4 medium slices of Soft White Bread
  • 1/2 cup / 50g Mature Cheddar Cheese, grated (or to preference)
  • 1/2 cup / 50g Red Leicester Cheese, grated (can sub more cheddar)
  • 2-4 tbsp Pickle, or to preference (I recommend Branston)
  • Butter, as needed
  • Mayo, as needed (or sub more butter)

Extra Goodies (optional)

  • slices of Fresh Deli Style Ham
  • Vine-Ripened Tomatoes, sliced
  • very thin slices of Red Onion
  • Rocket or Lettuce
  • Butter 2 slices of bread and spread a touch of mayo (or more butter) on the other two. Spread 1-2 tbsp of pickle on 2 slices, top with cheddar, sprinkle over Red Leicester (or more cheddar) then top with bread.

  • Give it a gentle (squish) to contain the filling, then slice diagonally and enjoy! See notes for toastie version.

a) Cheese and Pickle Toastie - You can turn this sandwich into a cheese and pickle toastie, there's just a few steps/adjustments to add:

  • Use thick slices of bread sturdy bread (like Sourdough).
  • Butter the outside of the bread instead of the inside.
  • Fill sandwich by stacking cheese -> pickle -> cheese to prevent pickle from seeping into the bread.
  • Fry over medium heat in a large pan until both sides are golden and the centre is gooey.

b) Make ahead - you can definitely make this ahead of time, just ensure you butter both slices of bread to prevent the pickle from making it go soggy. Just tightly wrap in the fridge overnight.

c) Calories - based on using 3 tbsp pickle, 2 tsp butter and 2 tsp mayo in total for two sandwiches. Calories for one sandwich:

Nutrition Facts

Cheese and Pickle Sandwich

Amount Per Serving

Calories 421 Calories from Fat 239

% Daily Value*

Fat 26.55g 41%

Saturated Fat 13.369g 84%

Trans Fat 0.686g

Polyunsaturated Fat 3.629g

Monounsaturated Fat 6.546g

Cholesterol 64mg 21%

Sodium 792mg 34%

Potassium 103mg 3%

Carbohydrates 28.43g 9%

Fiber 1.3g 5%

Sugar 9.01g 10%

Protein 17.4g 35%

Vitamin A 918IU 18%

Vitamin C 0.2mg 0%

Calcium 442mg 44%

Iron 1.79mg 10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Nutrition is based on the absence of salt unless stated as a measurement in the ingredients. Cost is worked out based on ingredients bought from UK supermarkets, then divided by the number of servings. In both instances these values are just for guidance. Please check out my FAQ Page for more info.


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How to Make an English Cheese and Pickle Sandwich

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