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The 10 Best Cheeses at Trader Joe’s, Hands Down, No Contest

Our happy place? The Trader Joe’s cheese aisle. It’s packed with interesting, high-quality cheeses that are—somehow, magically—pretty inexpensive. From goat Brie to wine-soaked toscano, here are our top ten picks. 

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trader joes gorgonzola
Trader Joe’s

Crumbly Gorgonzola

This tangy wedge has some serious bite, so it’s best sprinkled (sparingly) on pasta, chicken or steak. A little goes a long way, trust us. 

Trader Joe’s ($6/pound)

trader joes gouda
Trader Joe’s

1,000 Day Gouda Cheese

This Dutch cheese is literally aged for 1,000 days, so it’s perfectly sharp and nutty. Plus, it has those delightfully crunchy little cheese crystals, so win-win.

Trader Joe’s ($12/pound)

trader joes pesto
Trader Joe’s

Pesto Gouda Cheese

OK, hear us out, cheese purists. This stuff is last-meal good. If the traditional Gouda flavor is a little too strong for you, the bright zip of the pesto balances everything out in the most surprising (but genius) way. 

Trader Joe’s ($10/pound)

trader joes manchego
Trader Joe’s

Manchego Anejo

Fun fact: Manchego must be aged for at least 60 days, by law. So TJ’s played it safe and aged it for a year. Pair it with olives, shut your eyes and pretend you’re in Spain.

Trader Joe’s ($13/pound)

trader joes goat milk brie
Trader Joe’s

Goat Milk Brie

We’re suckers for the classic double-crème, but this lighter, tangier version is great on salads and sandwiches. Best of all, it doesn’t leave you with that heavy, weighed-down, “I just ate cheese” feeling.

Trader Joe’s ($3)

trader joes melange
Trader Joe’s

Espresso Melange Cheddar Cheese

This cheddar/Gruyère hybrid made with (yep) coffee grounds is a total conversation piece. It has a strong coffee flavor, so less is more when it comes to pairings. Try it with plain water crackers or just eat it on its own.

Trader Joe’s ($10/pound)

trader joes blue
Trader Joe’s

Cave Aged Blue

Yep, this stuff is aged for 75 days in an actual sandstone cave in Minnesota, but it’s about the same price as the run-of-the-mill stuff you’d get in a traditional grocery store. Crumble some on your salad immediately.

Trader Joe's ($7/pound)

Jalapeno And Honey Chevre

Speaking of wacky combos, this one sounds like it would be weird, but it’s actually magical. A little bit sweet, a little bit spicy, a little bit cheesy. Perfection. 

Trader Joe’s ($3)

trader joes english cheddar
Trader Joe's

English Coastal Cheddar

It’s the sharp, creamy standby that’ll always be the first one gone on the cheese plate. Pair it with honey and walnuts to really make your guests swoon.

Trader Joe’s ($8/pound)

trader joes toscano
Trader Joe’s

Creamy Toscano Cheese Soaked In Syrah

Let’s face it: We never met a glass of Syrah we didn’t like. So this cheese is basically our dream come true. Toscano tastes kind of like a mix between Parmesan and cheddar on its own, which pairs perfectly with the blackberry undertones of the wine. Total candidate for night cheese.

Trader Joe’s ($10/pound)



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Freelance Editor

From 2015-2020 Lindsay Champion held the role of Food and Wellness Director. She continues to write for PureWow as a Freelance Editor.