The #1 Underrated Cheese to Buy at Trader Joe's, According to a Food Editor

I go to Trader Joe’s just once a season because of the distance, so I try to make my trips worthwhile. My cart will be stocked with new and seasonal arrivals—I’m truly my happiest while enjoying my TJ's haul during the weeks after my shopping spree. 

While I’m always buying their brand-new items, there’s only one product I pick up on a consistent basis when it comes to my Trader Joe’s haul, no matter the season. And it’s a cheese that somehow always makes its way into my shopping bags.

I’m a lover of all cheeses, but this Trader Joe’s branded cheese is on a whole new level. I’ll give you a hint: it’s a Cheddar variety. No, it’s not the incredibly predictable Unexpected Cheddar, which won the Trader Joe’s customer awards so many times that it was retired and placed in the Hall of Fame. I’m talking about Cheddar Cheese with Caramelized Onions. Before you click away, let me tell you why I love it so much.

I first tried this cheese as a sample last year at my local TJ’s. Cheddar cheese? Love. And I’m a big fan of caramelized onions, so it didn’t take much convincing for me to give this a taste. But this cheese literally stopped me in my tracks after trying this sample. It’s creamy, embraces a subtle onion flavor without being too overbearing, and it’s all-around delicious. Trader Joe’s notes it to be “memorable” and that it is: I bought the cheese on that same trip, and it’s been the only constant on my list for each visit since.

I added this cheese to the charcuterie spread I make every year on Christmas Eve, and it was a hit with my family. Some of my family members even noted it to be the “best Cheddar” they’ve ever had. Hopefully my cheese-loving Italian family’s insights have convinced you enough.

This cheese is packed with protein for a vegetarian snack, with 6 grams per serving, so I’ll include it on my go-to snack plate with crackers and fruit for a satisfying add-on. Plus, thanks to Trader Joe’s product promise, you won’t find any artificial flavors in this cheese.

If snack or charcuterie boards aren’t your thing, this cheese is probably incredible on grilled cheese as recommended by Trader Joe’s. Try it on our French Onion Grilled Cheese for the ultimate sweet-savory bite.