Fast delivery
Get in as fast as 1 hour
It’s all local
Shop your favorites
Direct chat
Connect with shoppers
Monterey Jack Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to Monterey Jack
Monterey Jack cheese was first produced in the Monterey area of California in the 1700s by Mexican Franciscan friars. They made a semi-firm, lightly flavored, creamy cheese with hints of nuts in the finish. It comes from cow's milk and the longer it is aged the sharper the flavor becomes.
Most Monterey Jack is aged 4-6 weeks, with some aged longer. After the Spanish missionaries left the area, the local farmers continued to make the cheese and it was very popular. In the mid-1800s an American businessman, David Jack, saw the potential of expanding the sales of this local cheese favorite. He bought most of the land where the cheese was made and started selling it all over California. It was known as Jack's Monterey or Monterey cheese. It eventually morphed into the name Monterey Jack. Â Â
Monterey Jack is used in Mexican and Spanish foods because it has a mild flavor, often offsetting the spices that are used. It also melts well so it is an excellent choice for baking, dips, quesadillas, grilled sandwiches, or burgers. it's also a very popular snack to add to a cheese tray served with crackers and fruits. and you can easily enjoy a slice or cube of cheese by itself or in a sandwich.
About Monterey Jack
Most Monterey Jack cheese is aged from 4-6 weeks but can be aged for up to 6 months in the case of Dry Jack cheese. Younger cheese is softer and great for melting and baking while aged cheese is often sliced or grated. Â
There are different varieties of Monterey Jack. Pepper Jack is a popular variety. It is often flavored with rosemary, garlic, sweet peppers, black pepper, Habanero chilies, and jalapeños that give it a spicy kick! It is found in many Mexican recipes like quesadillas or tacos.  Another variety is Dry Jack. It is the mature/longer aged version of Monterey Jack, maturing up to 6 months. It is a firm cheese that is good for grating or eating on its own.
Colby Jack is a mix of Colby Cheese (a semi-hard cheese that has an orange color from the natural orange color agent, annatto) and Monterey Jack, giving Colby Jack cheese it's white and orange coloring. Colby Jack is the best of both cheeses to make one delicious combination.
An interesting fact for people who are prone to migraines: Monterey Jack is one of a few cheeses thought to be ok for people who get bad headaches. Many cheeses are high in tyramine (an organic compound thought to be associated with headaches). Due to its low content of tyramine, those who are prone to headaches have an option in Monterey Jack.Â
You can purchase Monterey Jack cheese in large blocks, sliced, shredded, or cubed. It's as simple as opening your Instacart App and adding it your cart. Once you finish the purchase, our Instacart shopper will do our best to deliver it the same day. Save time and energy and let us do the shopping!
How long does Monterey Jack last
Wrapping cheese in wax paper or aluminum foil and placing in the refrigerator will help it last for up to 4 weeks. If freezing the cheese, wrap as mentioned above and put into a freezer bag, however, sliced cheese should be individually wrapped. To defrost it, place it in the refrigerator to slowly thaw. Keep in mind that frozen cheese often become crumbly and loses some of its flavor; so frozen cheese is best in cooked dishes.
Monterey Jack Near Me
Buy your favorite Monterey Jack online with Instacart. Order Monterey Jack from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.