8 Types of American Cheese and How to Use Them 

Any way you slice (or crumble, grate or melt) it, Americans crave cheese. From creamy brie to sharp cheddar, cheese can be spread and sprinkled into any meal of the day – savory or sweet. Packed with protein, calcium and essential vitamins, this nutritious ingredient also supports strong bones and muscles.

American Cheese Month, observed annually in May, is a delicious homage to fromage and a justification for cheese lovers to enjoy an array of rich flavors, creamy textures and satisfying pairings. The monthlong foodie celebration of American Cheese Month isn’t just about indulging (although that’s encouraged). It’s about highlighting the craftsmanship, creativity and care that domestic cheesemakers put into every wheel and wedge. Organized by the American Cheese Education Foundation (ACEF), American Cheese Month aims to elevate the nation’s cheese industry, from makers to mongers to munchers like you.

American Cheese Education Foundation

The American Cheese Education Foundation was created to foster a deeper appreciation of American artisan, farmstead and specialty cheeses. The organization’s goals include:

• Supporting American cheesemakers through educational programs and professional development
• Providing scholarships to help industry professionals deepen their knowledge of cheese
• Promoting food safety and quality standards
• Enhancing public understanding of domestic artisan cheeses.

Types of American-Made Cheese

Get a taste of America’s great cheeses, including bits about their profiles and pairings.

1. Cheddar

Flavor profile: Ranges from mild and creamy to sharp and crumbly with age.

Best for: Grilled cheese, mac and cheese, burgers

Pairs well with: Apple slices, crusty bread, hoppy IPAs

A bold classic, cheddar is sort of the MVP of cheeses made in the USA! Cabot Creamery in Vermont produces award-winning sharp cheddar that’s punchy, nutty and perfect on a cracker or melted into macaroni.

For a more rugged, farmhouse version, opt for Beecher’s Handmade Cheese made in Washington state. This brand’s Flagship Cheese, a firm cheddar-meets-Gruyere hybrid, melts like none other.

Boar’s Head, Cracker Barrel, Sargento and Tillamook are household names when it comes to cheddar. Of course, many other dairy farms produce exceptional cheddar too, such as Jason Wiebe Dairy in Kansas, Shelburne Farms in Vermont and St. Isidore’s Dairy in Wisconsin.

2. Monterey Jack

Flavor profile: Mild, buttery, slightly sweet

Best for: Melting on quesadillas, nachos, burgers

Pairs well with: Jalapeños, salsa, light lagers

With Californian roots, semi-hard Monterey Jack is the smooth operator of cheeses … laid-back and mellow. Vella Cheese Company in Sonoma makes a legendary Dry Jack – aged and nutty, like Parmesan’s Californian cousin. Shred it over pasta, toss it into a salad or let it jack up your grilled cheese.

Beyond the Golden State, this type of cheese is now produced by dairy experts like Brunkow Cheese and Nasonville Dairy, both based in Wisconsin.

3. American Blue

Flavor profile: Bold, tangy, creamy with veins of blue

Best for: Steak toppers, salads, burgers

Pairs well with: Honey, pears, bold red wines

Blue cheese is a daring delight, and American cheesemakers have leaned into its pungency. Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company in California makes a creamy, assertive blue called Original Blue that’s fantastic on a wedge salad or crumbled atop a black and blue burger.

For those who prefer a bit less punch, Maytag Blue from Iowa has been a beloved cheese staple since 1941. It’s smooth but flavorful – more so of a gateway blue, if you will.

Blue cheese fans may also be tickled pink by the offerings from Rogue Creamery in Oregon, Sweet Grass Dairy in Georgia and Bluebird Cheese in Massachusetts.

4. Goat Cheese (Chèvre)

Flavor profile: Bright, tart, creamy

Best for: Spreading on crostini, tossing into salads, stuffing chicken

Pairs well with: Beets, arugula, honey, Sauvignon Blanc

Creamy and dreamy with just the right amount of tang, American-made goat cheese (also called chèvre) is an all-purpose delight among professional chefs and home cooks alike.

Laura Chenel in Sonoma is considered a premier creator of American goat cheese, and this line’s classic log pairs beautifully with herbs, fruit or roasted veggies. Another G.O.A.T. is the cheese at Vermont Creamery. Their fresh goat cheese is light, fluffy and perfect for swirling into pasta or smearing on toast with a drizzle of hot honey.

Goat cheese is also the specialty of Noble Springs Dairy in Tennessee and Holly Grove Farms in North Carolina.

See more: Get to Know Vermont Creamery, the Company That Brought Goat Cheese to America

5. Colby

Flavor profile: Mild, sweet, moist

Best for: Cubing for snacking, slicing for sandwiches

Pairs well with: Summer sausage, apples, pilsners

Colby could be described as a much calmer cheddar. Invented in Colby, Wisconsin, this cheese variety is softer and sweeter with a high snackability factor. Widmer’s Cheese Cellars and Henning’s Wisconsin Cheese, for example, both make a Colby that’s rich, moist and ideal for crowd-pleasing party platters.

Bonus: Nosh on Colby-Jack, a marbled mix of Colby and Monterey Jack for extra creamy vibes!

See more: 9 Cheese Experiences You Need to Have in Wisconsin

6. Mozzarella

Flavor profile: Mild, milky, elastic

Best for: Pizza, lasagna, Caprese salads

Pairs well with: Tomatoes, basil, balsamic, light red wines

Fresh or low-moisture, mozzarella is among the kitchen’s VIPs. For silky, small-batch fresh mozzarella, check out BelGioioso Cheese from Wisconsin. Their burrata (mozzarella stuffed with cream) is practically a luxury item. Slice it open and let the goodness flow over roasted veggies or a salad.

If pizza is your love language, look for Gioia Cheese Co. from California. This company has been making some of America’s best, melty mozzarella for over 90 years.

See more: How to Make Mozzarella Cheese At Home

7. Havarti

Flavor profile: Creamy, buttery, sometimes infused with herbs/vegetables

Best for: Melting in sandwiches, snacking, cheese boards

Pairs well with: Charcuterie, pickles, white wine

Though Havarti hails from Denmark, American versions are on point. Carr Valley Cheese, a fourth-generation creamery in Wisconsin, makes an epic dill Havarti that’s both sandwich-ready and snackable straight from the fridge.

Havarti is also a specialty of Marcoot Jersey Creamery in Illinois, Prairie Farms Dairy in Iowa and Bleu Mont Dairy in Wisconsin.

8. Cream Cheese

Flavor profile: Mild, tangy, creamy

Best for: Bagels, cheesecakes, dips

Pairs well with: Smoked salmon, cucumbers, pastries

Cream cheese may not come to mind when you think of the greatest American cheeses, but let’s give this breakfast staple the credit it deserves. Cream cheese is dependable, delightful and extremely versatile.

Philadelphia Cream Cheese, made by Kraft, dominates the market for cream cheese, but smaller dairies are making elevated versions too. Zingerman’s Creamery in Michigan, for instance, creates artisan cream cheese with a velvety texture and a rich, dairy-forward flavor. Slather it on everything from bagels to brownies and beyond.

Also Try:

• Cottage Cheese: This high-protein, diet-friendly food is having a moment, dominating recipes on every social media platform.
• Brie: Known as a French fromage, American cheesemakers have also said “oui” to this soft cheese.
• American Cheese: The FDA classifies American Cheese as “pasteurized process cheese food,” yet this sandwich topper is beloved.

How to Celebrate American Cheese Month

American cheese is no longer just basic yellow squares in plastic wrappers (though no shame if that’s your favorite). You no longer need a passport to transport your taste buds because American cheesemakers know how to satisfy!

Here are a few tasty ways to celebrate American Cheese Month:

• Visit a local cheese shop: Many shops feature American artisan cheeses and even offer tastings or special deals during American Cheese Month.
• Host a cheese tasting party: Pick some great American cheeses, wine or craft beer, and a handful of fellow fromage friends for a fun, flavor-packed celebration.
• Cook with cheese: Try swapping your usual cheeses for artisan-style American varieties. A simple tweak to a go-to dish can be unexpectedly appealing.
• Support cheesemakers: Buying directly from small producers, farmers market vendors and/or local cheese shops helps support the people who make cheese the star of your plate.

Every piece of cheese carries a story of farmers, makers and consumers. That’s what makes American Cheese Month not just a celebration of flavor but also of community, creativity and craftsmanship. So, this May, raise a cracker (and a glass) to the brilliant world of great American cheeses.