What Is Monterey jack cheese and How Can I Use It?
Monterey jack cheese rewards a little know-how: how to choose it, cook it, store it, and substitute in a pinch. Browse 578 recipes to cook with it.
What is monterey jack cheese?
Monterey Jack is an American semi-hard cheese made using cow's milk. It is commonly sold by itself, or mixed with Colby to make a marbled cheese known as Colby-Jack (or Co-Jack). Cheddar-Jack varieties are also available.
Most of the softer types generally found in American markets are aged for only one month, while another variety of Monterey Jack is aged for up to six months. A special kind of it found in Spain is aged for about one year.
Aging
An aged version of this cheese, known as Dry jack, can be churned or grated and used much like Parmesan cheese.
Variants
Another version called Pepper jack mixes hot peppers with Monterey Jack for flavor. Pepper jack is often used as an alternative cheese in dishes such as quesadillas, but can be eaten with bread or crackers as a snack.
Health Impact
Because of its low content of tyramine, an organic compound thought to be associated with headaches, it is frequently recommended as one of the few cheeses that are safe to eat for migraine sufferers.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 cup, diced (132g)Where found
Monterey jack cheese is usually found in the cheeses section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group
Monterey jack cheese is a member of the Dairy and Egg Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
How much does monterey jack cheese weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 cup, diced | 132 grams |
| 1 cup, shredded | 113 grams |
| 1 ounce | 28 grams |
| 1 cubic inch | 17 grams |
| 1 slice (1 oz) | 28 grams |
| 1 package (6 oz) | 170 grams |
Related
Dairy and Egg Products
| In Chinese: | 蒙特里杰克奶酪 | |
| British (UK) term: | ||
| en français: | fromage Monterey Jack | |
| en español: | queso Monterey Jack |
Recipes using monterey jack cheese
There are 578 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Prefect Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Skip the fake cheese slices and shred real cheese for a perfect gooey and crispy grilled cheese sandwich.
Hamburger with Variations
Cheese-stuffed hamburger patties with four global variations: French with brie, Mexican with Monterey Jack, Italian with mozzarella, and Greek with feta. Grilled over charcoal.
Delicious Beer Soup with Cheese
Beer cheese soup with carrots, celery, and a warm spice blend of cumin, nutmeg, and cloves. Sour cream stirred in at the finish, melting cheese on top. Lighter and more aromatic than classic beer cheese.
Spinach Lasagne
Spinach lasagne layers a creamy ricotta-parmesan-spinach filling with no-boil noodles and tomato sauce, all under bubbling mozzarella and Monterey jack. A vegetarian classic that skips the noodle-boiling step.
Corn Scrambled Eggs for one
Quick and easy scrambled eggs with a bit of Mexican flair. Served with corn tortillas and salsa. Perfect for one serving and very easy to double up for two.
Jacquie's Excellent Cornbread Muffins
Garlic, jalapeño peppers and two kinds of cheese deliver and muffin mix made them so easy to make.
Pulled Pork Tacos
Grilled pulled pork tacos with sliced red potatoes and melted Monterey Jack folded into corn tortillas. Crisp grilled exterior, melty middle. Quesadilla-style.
Chile Cheese Tortilla Stacks
A crowd pleasing appetizer to take to any party or serve it with a Mexican Caesar salad for a meatless meal.
Layered Ham & Potato Casserole
An easy classic combination of diced ham, potatoes and cheese with a tangy sauce.
Mahi Mahi Tacos
To me, fish tacos are the best during summer. There is no real reason behind this, besides that I just think they taste better, and after a winter full of heavy soups and stews, there is nothing like a light and fresh tasting fish taco.
Southwestern Burgers
Southwestern burgers, ground sirloin patties seasoned with cumin and smoky chipotle, grilled with Monterey Jack and stacked with avocado, bacon, tomato, and pickled jalapenos on a toasted Kaiser roll.
Chicken Tomatillo Sauce with Mole Chile
Wok-seared chicken in a smoky tomatillo-mole sauce with roasted garlic, chipotle, and coffee. Served over egg noodles with jalapeño Jack cheese and a fresh platter of jicama, cucumber, and radishes.
Spicy Burrito Bonanza
Loaded burritos stuffed with seasoned ground beef and spicy pork sausage, refried beans, fresh tomato, Monterey Jack cheese, and crisp lettuce. A 30-minute weeknight dinner the whole family will fight over.
Vegetable Nachos
This easy to make recipe is loaded with flavors, want a lighter and tasty nachos, try this one, and you will love it.
Open-Faced Tuna Sandwiches
A quick and easy way to make lunch that is also packed with deliciousness.
Easy Taco Pie
A classic Mexican dish is full of flavor and layers of textures. Make this delicious yet filling meal for weeknight or weekend dinner.
Pulled Pork Tacos with Tomatillo Salsa
Pulled pork tacos with tomatillo salsa: crispy grilled corn tortillas stuffed with barbecued pork, potato, and melted Monterey Jack. Bright fresh salsa on top.
Tomatillo Chicken Enchiladas
Shredded chicken enchiladas in corn tortillas smothered with homemade tomatillo verde sauce, bubbly Monterey Jack, and cool sour cream. Make-ahead friendly and packed with green chile flavor. Feeds six.
Mixed Tostadas
Tostadas always make a nice alternative to a salad. Love the crunch, I used beef that was cooked with some taco seasoning instead of chicken.
Nacho Casserole
This nacho casserole is cheesy, tasty and packed with flavors. Serve it with some tortilla chips, heavenly delicious.
Savory Tortilla Soup
This soup came out so tasty and flavorful. The pan-fried tortilla strips added some nice crunch, and I also served the soup with some sour cream, Monterey Jack cheese, cilantro and scallions. It was an easy, light yet tasty soup.
Mexican Salsa Chicken
Mexican salsa chicken: pounded chicken breasts dredged in seasoned flour, pan-fried, then topped with salsa and melted Monterey Jack cheese. Tex-Mex weeknight dinner in 30 minutes.
Double Corn Tortilla Cassarole
Layered corn tortilla casserole with Monterey Jack, sweet corn, green onions, and diced chili peppers in a tangy buttermilk-egg custard. A Tex-Mex weeknight dinner ready in 40 minutes flat.
Sopa Azteca
This soup was such a comfy dish that was just perfect on a cold winter day. The combination was so hearty and it was also very flavourful. Not too hard to make, and I will be making this soup again soon.
