13 Best Monterey Jack Cheese Substitutes

Monterey Jack Cheese is ideal for burgers, preparing the ultimate Mac & Cheese, and nachos with its thick buttery consistency.

Monterey Jack is a renowned American cheese that gets its name from the city of Monterey in California. Monterey Jack is a kind of American cheese that is widely accessible. If it is not accessible in your location, you can explore alternatives.

So keep reading to learn further about Monterey Jack Cheese replacements.

Alternatives for Monterey Jack Cheese

The texture of Monterey Jack cheese is creamy and buttery. As a result, a few cheese kinds have an identical flavor and consistency, like the ones listed below.

1. Edam Cheese

Edam cheese is made in the Dutch region of North Holland. It’s well recognized for its cylindrical form and outside red wax covering.

It also has a semi-solid texture and a somewhat salty and nutty flavor. When cheese is aged for a long period, it thickens and develops a harsh flavor character.

It mirrors Monterey Jack Cheese’s flexibility in that it may be used in several meals! Fruits like apple, cherry, peach, and pear go well with it. It goes well with crackers, biscuits, and bread, as well as a glass of quality wine.

One of the nicest cheeses to have on a cheeseboard is Edam. If you don’t have Monterey Jack Cheese, you might like to give it a try.

2. Havarti Cheese

Havarti cheese is a Danish specialty. It is a semi-hard, creamy-textured cheese manufactured from cow’s milk. Like Monterey Jack Cheese, Havarti Cheese melts fast and may be served as a slice on a plate!

It has a creamy consistency. As a result, it’s best to utilize it in lesser amounts than Monterey Jack cheese. It also has a mellow, buttery taste similar to Monterey Jack cheese.

This cheese goes well with grilled foods like grilled sausage and sandwiches and may be used in pasta and pizzas.

3. Gouda Cheese

One of the closest replacements for Monterey Jack Cheese is Gouda Cheese. It is likewise prepared from cow’s milk and originates in the Netherlands.

Furthermore, it has a creamy texture and a somewhat tangy flavor. This cheese has a moderate flavor that varies depending on how long it matured.

As you’ve seen, it now resembles Monterey Jack cheese in texture. With a little heat, it also melts. Sandwiches, Mac and Cheese, and burgers all benefit from its slices.

Of course, Gouda can be used on a cheeseboard! Gouda cheese is also available in slices and blocks.

Because it has a more distinct and powerful flavor, aged Gouda cheese would be a good complement for aged Monterey Jack cheese. Although, after more than a year of maturation, the cheese has a caramelized flavor and a crispy texture.

4. Muenster Cheese

The two varieties of Muenster cheese might be confusing. The French version is one, and the American version is the other.

The French version is sharper and smokier, but the American version is milder and creamier. I like the American type of Monterey Jack cheese as a replacement since it is superior.

Muenster cheese is light in color and has a creamy consistency. It also has an orange peel from a specific seasoning applied to it. It’s also created from cow’s milk; therefore, it’s a good alternative for Monterey Jack cheese.

5. Parmesan Cheese

The flavor of parmesan cheese is nutty and salty, while the texture is firm and brittle.

Dry Jack cheese can be substituted with the real Parmigiano Reggiano. When using parmesan, remember to use the younger ones rather than, the older ones. The reason for this is that the flavor might become salty and overbearing.

Also, parmesan is an excellent substitution for Dry Jack Cheese, a Monterey Jack Cheese version. As a result, you may grate it over spaghetti and Aglio e Olio.

6. Colby Cheese

Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses have comparable qualities to Colby cheese. It has a smooth texture and more moisture than cheddar cheese. There’s even a Colby Jack cheese that combines both Colby and Monterey Jack.

It has a semi-hard texture and is prepared from cow’s milk. Even though it hasn’t aged much, Colby is softer. Nevertheless, it becomes hard and dry if left to mature for an extended period. As a result, it won’t be a good alternative for Monterey Jack.

Colby does not go through the whole cheddaring procedure, and it gets its orange color from annatto seasoning. This distinguishes it from cheeses like Cheddar and Monterey Jack.

It’s important to remember that Colby is a table cheese rather than a cooking cheese. Nonetheless, you may substitute it with Monterey Jack in snacks and appetizers if necessary.

7. Cheddar Cheese 

As a final option, Cheddar cheese should be considered. The texture is creamier than Monterey Jack cheese. It can, though, become drier and crumblier as it matures.

Only use this cheese as a baking substitute. If you don’t want your baked foods to have a creamier consistency, limit the amount to a minimum!

8. Emmental Cheese

Emmental cheese comes from the Emmental region of Switzerland.

The qualities of young Emmental cheese are comparable to those of Monterey Jack cheese. It has a high melting point and may be eaten cold as well. On the other hand, the aged Emmental has a stronger flavor and should not be used in place of Monterey Jack cheese.

Emmental is suitable for every cuisine that calls for melted cheese, including sandwiches, pasta, cheese fondue, and even macaroni and cheese!

9. Mozzarella Cheese

Fresh mozzarella isn’t an exact match, but dried mozzarella does the trick. The new version, which releases too much water, has a creamier and smoother texture.

Dried mozzarella may be used in various recipes, including pasta, pizza, and burgers, although fresh mozzarella is only suitable for a few. Because of its melting characteristics and smoother texture, mozzarella is an ideal replacement. It also has a creamy, mild flavor similar to Monterey Jack cheese!

10. Comte Cheese

Comte cheese is considered one of the best in the world. It’s created with unpasteurized cow milk and originates from France.

Furthermore, this cheese has the same smooth and creamy feel as Monterey Jack! Because this cheese is unpasteurized, it might not be easy to manage its sweetness.

This famous cheese’s nutty taste goes well with veggies, eggs, figs, and a glass of wine. Comte cheese may also be used in spaghetti and burgers.

11. Swiss Cheese

Swiss cheese is extremely flexible since it encompasses Switzerland’s natural cheeses. Because most Swiss cheeses are manufactured from cow’s milk, you may use any kind as a replacement.

As a result, they have a creamy texture similar to Monterey Jack cheese. This cheese is versatile and may be used in various ways, including frying, baking, grilling, and pairing with practically any sort of meal.

12. Pepper Jack Cheese

Pepper Jack Cheese has a gentle buttery taste, similar to Monterey Jack Cheese. It is, nevertheless, spicy because of the addition of chili peppers, bell peppers, and herbs.

Although it is not an ideal substitution, you may use this derivative to add flavor to bread, spaghetti, hamburgers, crackers, and fruits.

13. Gruyere Cheese

Last but not least, Gruyere cheese can be used in place of Monterey Jack cheese. It has a wonderful texture and flavor. Young Gruyere has a highly creamy texture, similar to Monterey Jack Cheese.

The flavor is a little nutty, but it still tastes like Monterey Jack Cheese, buttery and zesty. The nicest thing about Gruyere cheese is that it melts beautifully.

As a result, you may use it in various meals, including pasta, fondue, soups, and more!

Related Questions 

• Is it okay to use Mozzarella instead of Monterey Jack Cheese?
• Yes, you may use Mozzarella instead of Monterey Jack. Nonetheless, dried mozzarella is preferred over fresh mozzarella because it is creamier and smoother in texture.
• Is Monterey Jack and Cheddar Jack the same thing?
• Monterey Jack is a descendant of Cheddar Jack. Although they have similar creamy, mild, and soft properties, they are two different varieties of cheese. 
• Cheddar Jack has a stronger taste than Monterey Jack and a creamier texture. Monterey Jack has a tangier flavor than Cheddar Jack, and as it matures, it becomes to mimic Cheddar Jack cheese.
• Are there other names for Monterey Jack Cheese? 
• Monterey Jack Cheese, commonly known as Jacks’ Cheese, is a kind of cheese. However, because the cheese was named after David Jack, a professional cheese seller, it became known as Jacks’ Cheese.
• What is Monterey Jack Cheese, and how does it differ from other types of cheese?
• Monterey Jack Cheese is a kind of American cheese made in the Monterey area of California. The texture of this cheese is exceptionally creamy and buttery, and it melts quickly. 
• As a result, it’s ideal for any cuisine that requires a creamy consistency. Mac & cheese, lasagnas, grilled sandwiches, and hamburgers are all common uses.