Substitutions
A firm cow's-milk cheese ranging from mild and springy to sharp and crumbly with age, and the default melting cheese in much of the English-speaking world.
What it does in a recipe: Melting fat, salt, and a tangy savoury flavour that carries a dish. Pick the swap that covers that job — the ratios below are written so you can act on them without doing any arithmetic.
Quick answer
Colby or Monterey Jack
1 cup shredded cheddar = 1 cup shredded Colby or Monterey JackAll substitutes, best first
1 cup shredded cheddar = 1 cup shredded Colby or Monterey JackClose cousins in moisture and fat, which is what governs how smoothly a cheese melts.
Trade-offMilder and less tangy; Jack melts even more smoothly than cheddar does.
1 cup shredded cheddar = 1 cup shredded GruyèreAn excellent melter with a comparable fat content and a deeper, nuttier savouriness.
Trade-offMore complex and noticeably nuttier — a gratin becomes a different, better dish.
1 cup shredded cheddar = 1 cup shredded young GoudaSimilar moisture and fat give it a comparable melt and pull.
Trade-offSweeter and more buttery, with none of cheddar's sharpness.
Whether a cheese is vegetarian depends on its rennet, not its style — check the label if that matters to you. Pre-shredded cheese is dusted with starch or cellulose to stop it clumping, which is why it melts less smoothly than a block you grate yourself.
At a glance
| Category | Dairy & milks |
|---|---|
| Job in a recipe | Melting fat, salt, and a tangy savoury flavour that carries a dish |
| Suits | Gluten-free, Nut-free, Egg-free, Soy-free |
| Swaps available for | Egg-freeGluten-freeNut-freeSoy-free |
| Number of substitutes | 3 |
Related
Cooking around an allergy? Diet tags here describe the ingredient itself, not any particular brand. Processed products change formulation without notice and shared production lines are common, so read the label on everything you use. A severe allergy is a medical matter — confirm with the manufacturer or your clinician rather than relying on a substitution chart.