Trader Joe’s is for cheese. It is the reason to go to Trader Joe’s over another grocery store. Sure, Trader Joe’s salad kits are good and the frozen section can occasionally feature some strong offerings (particularly when it comes to frozen appetizers), but the cheese selection is something different. Something spectacular. Something totally next level.

They have all the classics (like cheddar and feta), plus fancy selections (like truffle burrata), PLUS flavors you’ve probably never heard of before (green goddess gouda, anyone?). We tried a wide variety of Trader Joe’s cheeses to determine which cheese is the best cheese at Trader Joe’s.  Scroll to find out which Trader Joe’s cheeses are legit and which should be discontinued ASAP.

Best Shredded

The Unexpected Cheddar Cheese Shreds are the only type of shredded cheese that feels like actual cheese. Instead of being weird, tiny, waxy wiggles of cheese, these have the exact same texture as cheese that has been freshly shredded at home. If you’re a Trader Joe’s fan, you probably already know that block of Unexpected Cheddar is perfection and I urge you to try it in its bagged form as well. After trying this, I will have a hard time ever buying another type of pre-shredded cheese ever again.

Credit: Ryan Martin

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Spicy

I have no clue why they’re calling this a “Buffalo” cheese because there is no Buffalo flavor to be found whatsoever. That being said, it is delicious. And, even better, it’s actually spicy! To me, this tastes like a spicier, creamier pepper jack. The texture edges on Velveeta-y and I absolutely love that. I want to shred many blocks of this and make a wonderfully spicy loaded queso with tortilla chips for dipping to be enjoyed with a Margarita while wearing pajamas and watching all the Shrek movies.

Credit: Ryan Martin

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Spread Runner-Up

Unexpected Cheddar is the Trader Joe’s cheese. That being said, we think the spreadable version trumps the original and the shreds. It is so creamy and luscious and salty. Obviously you can toss it on a cheese board, but I want this, sliced ham, and Dijon mustard on some crusty bread. It would be the perfect little crostini for a party. Don’t feel like you need to get fancy, though! Eating it off a spoon over the sink is also delicious.

Credit: Liv Averett

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Fancy

If you’re looking for a cheese that tastes like something you purchased at a local, artisanal cheese shop and not Trader Joe’s, this goat milk gouda-style cheese is for you. It is creamy but also a little dry. Salty, but not too salty. It would go well with almost any jam, preserve, honey, meat, nut, fruit or jelly you could find. This is an unbelievably versatile cheese board cheese and one of the best Trader Joe’s cheeses.

Credit: Liv Averett

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Spread

We love the Syrah Soaked Toscano Cheese (spoiler alert) so it makes sense that we also love the Syrah Soaked Toscano Cheese Dip & Spread. It is heavenly. Managing editor Gwynedd Stuart called this “fancy pimento cheese” and she’s right. This is an elevated, spreadable cheese. This would be wonderful with apples or crackers dipped into it and would sing on a panini with turkey and arugula. You could also just eat this by the spoonful. Like it’s hard brother, this is one of the most delicious Trader Joe’s cheeses you can buy.

Credit: Liv Averett

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Flavored

Cream cheese has the right idea: Adding onions makes everything better! I’m glad this English cheddar is following in its footsteps. The combination of cheddar cheese and savory onions  is such a flavor symphony in my mouth. It’s sweet, salty, and sharp. This cheese would be absolutely killer melted onto French onion soup. I brought this home and plan to make the world’s most delicious mac and cheese. Basically, this is the best cheese at Trader Joe’s to fold into any and every cheese-forward recipe.

Credit: Ryan Martin

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Creamy

The triple creme in this Triple Creme Brie is no joke! It is so sensationally creamy that it’s almost a liquid. In terms of spreadability, this rates off the charts. While I find that more brie cheeses typically have a mild flavor, this one is funky in the best way possible. It almost tastes like camembert. I’d happily slap a wedge of this on a cheese board or use it to make a very gooey grilled cheese. Now it’s time to ask the important question: What’s the difference between “creme” and “cream,” anyway?

Credit: Ryan Martin

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

The Creamy Toscano Cheese Soaked in Syrah combines two things I don’t really care about (wine and hard cheese) to make one of the most delicious cheeses I’ve ever tasted in my life. It truly is the best cheese at Trader Joe’s. It is so flavorful that you don’t need any accouterments to enjoy it. Don’t dull its shine by putting it on a cracker. There’s no need to contrast its flavor with a fig jam because it is already complex enough on its own. Why add salumi? It’s already salty enough! Did I mention that this parm-like cheese has the most wonderful element you can find in a hard cheese: crunchy flavor crystals (aka tyrosine crystals that form in nice aged cheeses)?!

Credit: Ryan Martin

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

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