Ariana Losch
Some may call Monterey Jack cheese the white bread of cheese. Is it a little boring? Sure. But it’s also a lifesaver that can go with pretty much anything—not to mention it’s the meltiest of all the cheeses. That’s a superpower. The best Monterey Jack cheese carries a mildly tangy, almost buttery flavor and a texture that walks the line between sliceable and meltable. It’s a tricky balance, but we found five of the best Monterey Jack cheese brands that managed it.
How we tried the Monterey Jack cheese
While I tried each of these cheeses all by their lonesome, I’ll take any excuse to eat salami I can get. So I found a meat log and crackers and made little charcuterie sammies, too. That was probably less for research, more for enjoyment, if I’m honest. But after an initial taste test, I also melted the ones that stood out over white bread to get a sense of their individual melting properties and to enrage the bland-food haters. (Honestly, they weren’t half bad grilled cheeses.)
What we looked for in the best Monterey Jack cheese brands
While Monterey Jack shouldn’t taste as bold as Colby or Pepper Jack, it shouldn’t be too bland, either. Some are soft and pliable, others are more firm and crumbly, and that’s okay. What we don’t want is waxy, plasticky cheese. The best Monterey Jack cheese should taste fresh, feel creamy, and melt evenly without turning oily or rubbery. Whether you’re making easy quesadillas or nibbling on the block straight out of the package like a goblin (that was me, so no judgment), here are five brands we recommend.
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- Kirkland Monterey Jack Cheese
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This block is literally the size of my head. Only at Costco can you find 2 lbs of Monterey Jack Cheese for under $7. For value alone, it deserves a spot on this list. The flavor is very mild, almost close to a milkier mozzarella string cheese. While I don’t think it’s incredibly tangy or texturally that interesting, you should still feel good about buying it, because it’s a perfectly lovely block of cheese that will get the job done.
Credit: Merc / Costco
- Lucerne Monterey Jack Cheese
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This Monterey Jack has the softest texture of all the blocks I tried, and depending on what you like, that could be a pro or a con. Seriously, this stuff cuts like brie and literally melts in your mouth. It turns gooey and buttery in no time on the stove. The flavor has a neat, pleasant tang. It might not be the best Monterey Jack cheese we tried, but it’s definitely up there if you shop at an Albertsons-owned grocery store—and also relatively inexpensive, too.
Credit: Merc / Albertsons
- Rumiano Monterey Jack Cheese
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Rumiano’s was the first cheese on this list to prove to me that Monterey Jack could be on a cheese board. It has a slightly sharper flavor than the others that elevates it, making it sophisticated and soiree-worthy. Even more impressive, the texture has a real crumble to it, like a nice cheddar, but it’s still smooth and velvety at the same time.
Credit: Merc / Rumiano
- Boar’s Head Freshly Sliced Monterey Jack Cheese
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These slices of Boar’s Head Monterey Jack came to us from the Sprouts deli, and let me tell you, the texture is luxurious. The slices pull apart like a dream. They have the softness of Lucerne but the sharper, more buttery flavor of Rumiano—an all around winner, if you can afford the steeper price point. It’s the kind of cheese you sample at a deli only to dream about what it would be like to possess generational wealth and buy this on the regular. All that said, I’d happily break the bank for this again. If you’re trying to pull an Andy Dwyer and make the best grilled cheese of all time, you need at least one slice. (And maybe some jalapenos. I just know this would taste so good with jalapenos.)
Credit: Merc / Sprouts
- Tillamook Monterey Jack
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Look, man. I don’t know what to tell you. Tillamook can’t be beat. Boar’s Head came really close, but there’s just something special in this little block—and the fact that it’s just over $4 at Walmart doesn’t hurt. It’s about as flavorful and tangy as you can get for Monterey Jack before verging into Colby Jack territory. The texture is immaculate, almost velvety. I know I’ve loudly and proudly sung the praises of the other four brands, but tasting this was an “aha” moment. It’s simply what the best Monterey Jack cheese should taste like.
Credit: Merc / Walmart
Best Value
Best Soft
Best for Charcuterie Board
Best Sliced
Best of the Bset
Other Monterey Jack cheeses we tried:
Great Value Monterey Jack Cheese, Joseph Farms Monterey Jack Cheese, Member’s Mark Monterey Jack Cheese, 365 by Whole Foods Market, Monterey Jack Bar, Amazon Brand Happy Belly Monterey Jack Cheese Block, Trader Joe’s Monterey Jack Cheese
Gwynedd Stuart
Luke Field
Justine Sterling
