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)

Amount per Serving

Calories 492Calories from Fat 359

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 40.0g 61%

Saturated Fat 25.2g 126%

Trans Fat ~

Cholesterol 117mg 39%

Sodium 707mg 29%

Total Carbohydrate 0.9g 0%

Dietary Fiber 0g 0%

Sugars 0.7

Protein 32.3g

Vitamin A 20% Vitamin C 0%

Calcium 98% • Iron 5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your caloric needs.

recipeland.com/nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find monterey jack cheese: 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.

In Chinese: 蒙特里杰克奶酪
British (UK) term: Monterey jack cheese
en français: fromage Monterey Jack
en español: queso Monterey Jack

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

Dairy and Egg Products

Butter 14585 Ghee (clarified butter) 240 Blue cheese 95 Havarti cheese 6 Cheddar cheese 1679 Cheese 557 Cheddar cheese, very old, sharp 334 Cheddar cheese, medium 23 Cheddar cheese, mild 32 Colby cheese 26

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.

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.

Cheesy Black Bean Quesadillas

Delicious quesadillas are made with black beans and avocado.

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.

Barbecue Portobello Quesadillas

Pan-sauteed mushrooms are mixed with a mixture of barbeque sauce, tomato paste, cider vinegar and pickled chipotle pepper, which makes a delicious filling to the quesadillas. An easy, tasty yet wholesome week-night meal.

Veggie Matzo Brie

A low-fat veggie matzo "brie" without the high fat brie cheese.

Creamy White Chicken Chili

Give your chili a new look with this easy-to-follow recipe that will have you licking your fingers in the end.

Soft Black Bean Tostadas

This was very quick and simple to make and the flavor was wonderful...

Black Bean Nacho Gratin

Easy to make, and it was packed with deliciousness and great texture. Will be making this dish very often.

Smoked Corn Stuffed Pepper

These delicious stuffed peppers are packed with goodness. Make this tasty meatless dish for a change.

Tostado Pie/Crockpot

Indulge yourself into this savory pie made with ground beef, sour cream and a pinch of mexican seasoning.

$Tex-Mex Pasta Salad$

Tex-Mex Pasta Salad

A scrumptious salad made with hot chili peppers and monterey jack cheese that is perfect for a summer barbecue!

Jalapeno, Cheese, Sour Cream Bread

A delicious bread is made with jalapeno, mozzarella cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream, cumin and chives. It's soft in the inside and nicely browned on the outside. It's packed with delicious flavors, it's tasty enough to eat it directly, or make a savory and tasty bread pudding with it.

Enchiladas Sabrosas

Bring some Mexican fever into your kitchen with this dish that will make your tastebuds have a fiesta!

Stove Top Broccoli Mac & Cheese

This stove top mac and cheese is easy to put together. Broccoli provides lots of essential nutrients, and it's a cheesy and delicious way to combine some veggies into your kid's dish as well.

Chimichangas

Easy to make, takes no time, and tastes absolutely delicious. Juicy, cheesy and packed with flavors. It's perfect for lunch or supper.

Chicken Enchiladas with Pasilla Chili Sauce

This dish is so worth every single second, because it came out absolutely delicious. The combination of all the ingredients was just terrific, and I didn't change a thing, followed recipe exactly. If you are big on Mexican food, this recipe shouldn't be passed for sure.

Santa Fe Chicken Tortellini Casserole

Instead of tortellini soup, turn that tortellini into a filling chicken tortellini casserole. A baked tortellini al forno!

Broccoli Shrimp Lasagna

Broccoli shrimp lasagna with creamy Monterey Jack white sauce, layered with cheddar, broccoli, and tender shrimp. A white lasagna for seafood lovers.

Schulz's Guacamole Salad

If you are a fun of avocado or guacamole, you should certainly give this salad a try. The guacamole dressing is creamy and tasty, the combination of lettuce, cheeses, tomato, scallions and corn chips is full of flavors and texture, and it's tossed with the creamy dressing. It's not easy to resist this mouth-watering salad.

Hot N' Spicy Beef Burgers

Hot 'n' spicy beef burgers: ground beef seasoned with fresh jalapeño and cumin, grilled to order, then crowned with melted Monterey Jack and a juicy tomato slice on a toasted bun.

Mushroom Stuffed Tomatoes

Very healthy recipe, take care of your own bodies, keep healthy!

Veggie Taco Salad

Simple dish made with fresh corn, tomatoes and brown rice, and well seasoned with dried herbs, fresh cilantro and salsa!

Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas

Scrumptious chicken main dish with a green chile kick that is tamed by creamy cool sour cream.

Deluxe Nachos

Nachos from scratch, or make these nachos quick and easy by using store bought refried beans and tortilla chips.

Enchiladas Suiza

Made this recipe with some leftover turkey meat, and it worked well. Quite easy to put together, and it came out delicious. This is the kind of dish to make when you don't feel like cooking up a storm, and everyone at the dinner table will still be happily fed.