Food Lens Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Food Lens · Dairy
Monterey jack
Mild, buttery, and slightly tangy, melting smooth without much sharpness.
Lens analyzedMonterey Jack is a mild, semi-soft American cheese that melts smoothly, making it a common choice for quesadillas, nachos, and grilled cheese. It's often sold plain or blended with peppers as pepper jack for extra heat.
Where it comes from
Monterey Jack takes its name from Monterey, California, where Franciscan friars' cheesemaking techniques were adapted and commercialized by a local dairyman in the 19th century. It became a mainstay of California and later broader American cooking largely because of how reliably it melts.
Buying it
Look for a pale ivory color and a slightly springy block; pre-shredded bags are convenient but melt a little less smoothly than a block shredded fresh.
Storing it
Keep it wrapped tightly in the fridge and use within a few weeks of opening; a little surface mold on a block can be trimmed away, though shredded cheese should be tossed if it molds.
Keeps about 1 month in the fridge.
Recipes that use monterey jack
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