The 10 Best Cheeses to Buy at Trader Joe's for Every Occasion

1,000 Day Aged Gouda

You might already be familiar with the traditional semi-soft gouda that comes coated in red wax. This aged version has a texture similar to a block of Parmesan: crumbly and crunchy with a rich, caramelly taste thanks to the aging process. Pair it with nuts, olives, and some yeasty bread for a true Dutch cheese experience. 

Chèvre With Honey

Sweet honey with tangy, creamy goat cheese is a classic combination, and this version does not disappoint. This cheese is fantastic sliced into medallions in a salad, spread onto a sandwich, slathered on crackers, or even dolloped on figs and broiled for a few moments for a surprising appetizer or after-dinner treat.  

Manchego Añejo

Manchego is a Spanish cheese made from sheep's milk, and it can taste quite different depending on how long it's aged. Trader Joe's Manchego Añejo is aged for a full year, which highlights the nutty flavor that Manchego is known for. This is a truly artisanal cheese that would retail for a much higher price anywhere else. 

White Stilton With Apricots

When you hear stilton, you might think of stinky blue cheese-but white stilton is a lightly aged, fresh, and delicious cheese with a soft, crumbly texture. Think of it as an alternative to a feta cheese; the addition of apricot chunks takes it to the next level with just a hint of fruitiness and tang. It's excellent crumbled on top of greens, added to a charcuterie board, or even served as a dessert cheese (if you're feeling especially French).

Le Delice de Bourgogne

If you're a fan of brie, take things to the next level with this decadent alternative that has a slightly more pungent aroma, but a similar taste. If you leave it out to soften before eating, you'll end up with a creamy mouthful that has the consistency of whipped butter, ideal for spreading on crusty bread or crackers.  

Cotswold Double Gloucester Cheese With Onions & Chives

Don't let the complex name fool you-this is a savory and surprisingly mild, semi-soft cheese with excellent (but not overpowering) flavor from the added onions and chives. It has a similar texture to a classic American cheese, which lends itself well to an elevated grilled cheese sandwich or melted on a burger. 

RELATED: These Are the Best Cheeses for Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Raw Milk Gruyere

An alternative to Swiss, this versatile fromage is equally at home on a cheese board or in a turkey sandwich. Gruyere can only be named as such if it's produced in Switzerland and aged by a certain process (similarly to how Champagne is name protected) so you can rest assured that you are getting the authentic experience-all at a fraction of typical cheese shop prices.

Blueberry Vanilla Chèvre

I'll be honest: the vanilla in the name of this goat cheese threw me off at first glance. Vanilla cheese? No thanks. But don't rule this chèvre out-it's perfectly tangy, fruity, and creamy, with a very light vanilla essence that just serves to complement the other flavors. It's a necessary addition to a festive cheese board, as a salad topper, or smeared on crackers. 

Unexpected Cheddar

This has been TJ's top-ranked cheese, as rated by customers, for the past six years in a row-and for good reason. What makes this otherwise basic cheese choice so "unexpected" is the nutty taste of parmesan woven throughout. Due to its immense popularity, Trader Joe's just started offering Unexpected Cheddar sold in shredded form, making it even easier to use in all your favorite recipes.

Authentic Greek Feta

Most of the feta cheese that you buy in the store is made from cow's milk, which isn't the traditional Greek style. Trader Joe's does feta the authentic way, meaning it's made from sheep's milk and packed in a brine. It's the quintessential addition to a Greek salad or mezze plate.