Monterey Jack cheese
Also known as: Monterey jack, jack cheese
A mild, semi-soft American cheese with a smooth, creamy melt and very little tang -- a common choice in Mexican and Southwestern-style dishes, often paired with sharper cheddar, since it melts smoothly and lets a dish's other flavors (chiles, spices) lead.
Buying guidance
Sold block or shredded, often pre-mixed with cheddar as a "Mexican blend." Plain Monterey Jack works interchangeably with the pepper Jack variation (which has chiles mixed in) wherever extra heat isn't specifically wanted.
Substitutions
- Mild cheddar -- similar melt, with more tang and a sharper flavor.
- Mozzarella -- similarly mild and smooth-melting, though slightly more elastic in texture.
- Colby -- a close, mild, smooth-melting substitute.
Tips & common mistakes
Buying pre-shredded bags for a stovetop sauce can give a grainier melt than block cheese shredded fresh, since pre-shredded cheese is coated with an anti-caking agent that resists melting smoothly.
Storage
Keeps refrigerated, tightly wrapped, for a few weeks unopened; once cut or opened, use within about two weeks and watch for mold, which can be trimmed away on a firm block but is a sign to discard shredded cheese.