Trader Joe’s cheese section is full of stars, but some lesser-known wedges and spreads are flying under the radar. Whether you’re hosting a wine night or leveling up your lunch, these 12 underrated cheeses bring surprising flavors, bold textures, and serious snacking potential. Here’s what to grab before everyone else catches on.
Fromage Pavé Red Chili Pepper $7.49/7 Oz
A French soft cheese with a fiery twist.
Taste Test:
Creamy and buttery with a slow-building chili heat that never overpowers.
Texture:
Silky, spreadable, and lush.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories: 100 per 1 oz
- Total Fat: 8g
- Carbs: less than 1g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Dietary Fiber: less than 1g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 5g
Ingredients:
Pasteurized Milk, Pasteurized Cream, Chili Pepper Blend (Red Bell Peppers, Water, Jalapeño Peppers, Salt, Cayenne Pepper, Xanthan Gum [Stabilizer], Citric Acid [Acidifier]), Cheese Cultures, Salt, Microbial Enzyme. Contains Milk.
Pair-with:
Sourdough crostini and a bold red wine.
Jalapeño and Honey Chevre $2.99/5 Oz
Creamy goat cheese with a sweet and spicy contrast.
Taste Test:
Tangy with bursts of sweet honey and a mild jalapeño kick.
Texture:
Smooth, spreadable, with flecks of pepper.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories: 80 per 1 oz
- Total Fat: 6g
- Carbs: 3g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 3g
- Protein: 4g
Ingredients:
Pasteurized Goat’s Milk, Honey, Cheese Cultures (Milk), Jalapeño Peppers, Salt, Microbial Enzyme. Contains Milk.
Pair-with:
Water crackers and prosciutto.
Baked Lemon Ricotta $13.99/1 Lb
A dessert-like cheese with a bright citrus profile.
Taste Test:
Lemony, slightly sweet, with a baked custard vibe.
Texture:
Dense yet creamy with a melt-in-mouth feel.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories: 60 per 1 oz
- Total Fat: 3g
- Carbs: 6g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 4g
- Protein: 3g
Ingredients:
Ricotta Cheese (Whey, Milk, Salt), Sugar, Lemon Paste (Lemon Peel, Glucose-Fructose Syrup [Wheat], Lemon Extract, Citric Acid), Stabilizer Blend (Modified Cornstarch, Sodium Alginate, Diphosphates), Natural Lemon Flavor, Turmeric Powder (For Color). Contains Milk, Wheat.
Pair-with:
Fresh berries or biscotti.
Cheddar Cheese with Caramelized Onions $10.99/1 Lb
A British-style cheddar packed with sweet-savory flavor.
Taste Test:
Sharp cheddar meets sweet onion jam.
Texture:
Crumbly but rich and moist.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories: 110 per 1 oz
- Total Fat: 9g
- Carbs: 1g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 6g
Ingredients:
Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Cows Milk, Salt, Microbial Rennet, Starter Culture), Caramelized Onion (Onion, Cane Sugar, Pectin, Cider Vinegar, Red Currant Juice, Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Clove, Cinnamon, Ginger). Contains Milk.
Pair-with:
Toasted baguette or roast beef sandwich.
Syrah Soaked Toscano Cheese Spread & Dip $4.99/7.5 Oz
A dip version of a cult-favorite block cheese.
Taste Test:
Wine-infused and slightly nutty, tangy with depth.
Texture:
Whipped, creamy, and smooth.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories: 90 per 2 tbsp
- Total Fat: 7g
- Carbs: 3g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: less than 1g
- Protein: 4g
Ingredients:
Toscano Cheese Soaked In Syrah Wine (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Microbial Enzymes, Syrah Wine [Grapes, Water, Yeast]), Cream Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cream, Cheese Culture, Salt, Guar Gum, Carob Bean Gum, Xanthan Gum), Water, Reduced Lactose Whey, Sea Salt, Garlic, Parsley, Lactic Acid, Guar Gum. Contains Milk.
Pair-with:
Pita chips or grapes.
Unexpected Cheddar $3.99/7 Oz
Trader Joe’s beloved mash-up of cheddar and aged parmesan.
Taste Test:
Sharp, salty, with an addictive crumbly bite.
Texture:
Crumbly like aged parmesan but melts like cheddar.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories: 110 per 1 oz
- Total Fat: 9g
- Carbs: less than 1g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 7g
Ingredients:
Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Microbial Enzyme. Contains Milk.
Pair-with:
Sliced apples or burgers.
Cambozola® Triple Cream Cheese $5.29
A German hybrid of Camembert and Gorgonzola.
Taste Test:
Mildly earthy with a creamy blue cheese finish.
Texture:
Silky, spreadable, ultra-rich.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories: 120 per 1 oz
- Total Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 0g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 4g
Ingredients:
Pasteurized Cow’s Milk, Cream, Salt, Microbial Rennet, Bacterial Cultures, Penicillium Camemberti, Penicillium Roqueforti. Contains Milk.
Pair-with:
Honey drizzle and crackers.
1000 Day Gouda Cheese $12.99/1 Lb
An aged Dutch gouda with caramelized notes.
Taste Test:
Buttery, nutty, with tiny crystals from aging.
Texture:
Firm, crumbly, crunchy bites.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories: 120 per 1 oz
- Total Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 0g
- Sodium: 270mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 8g
Ingredients:
Pasteurized Cow’s Milk, Salt, Cheese Cultures, Animal Rennet, Annatto Extract (For Color). Contains Milk.
Pair-with:
Dark chocolate and almonds.
Israeli Feta $7.99/17.6 Oz
Briny, bold feta made with sheep’s milk.
Taste Test:
Salty, tangy, deeply flavorful.
Texture:
Creamier than Greek feta, less crumbly.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories: 70 per 1 oz
- Total Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 1g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 4g
Ingredients:
Feta Cheese (Pasteurized Sheep’s Milk, Cheese Cultures [Cultures, Skim Milk], Microbial Enzymes), Brine (Water, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Citric Acid [Acidifier]). Contains Milk.
Pair-with:
Watermelon, mint, and olive oil.
Triple Cream Brie Cheese with Green Peppercorns $11.99/1 Lb
A creamy brie with a peppery bite.
Taste Test:
Mild and buttery with pops of spice.
Texture:
Gooey, spreadable, indulgent.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories: 120 per 1 oz
- Total Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 0g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 4g
Ingredients:
Pasteurized Milk, Green Peppercorns (Green Peppercorns, Salt, Water, Vinegar), Salt, Cheese Culture, Microbial Enzyme. Contains Milk.
Pair-with:
Baguette slices and fig jam.
Toscano Cheese with Black Pepper $11.99/1 Lb
Hard cheese crusted in bold black pepper.
Taste Test:
Nutty base with a peppery finish.
Texture:
Firm, sliceable, snack-friendly.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories: 110 per 1 oz
- Total Fat: 9g
- Carbs: 0g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 7g
Ingredients:
Pasteurized Cow’s Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes, Coarse Black Pepper. Contains Milk.
Pair-with:
Salami and olives.
White Stilton Cheese with Apple & Pear $11.99/1 Lb
A fruity take on a classic British cheese.
Taste Test:
Mild and slightly sweet with pear-apple bursts.
Texture:
Crumbly and smooth.
Nutritional Facts:
- Calories: 100 per 1 oz
- Total Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 3g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Dietary Fiber: less than 1g
- Sugar: 2g
- Protein: 5g
Ingredients:
White Stilton® Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Salt, Microbial Enzyme, Cheese Cultures), Dried Apples, Fructose, Apple And Pear Sauce (Sugar, Diced Pears [Pears, Salt], Diced Apples [Apples, Salt], Apple Puree, Apple Juice Concentrate, Apple Cider Vinegar, Modified Cornstarch, Pear Juice Concentrate, Citric Acid [Acidifier], Pectin), Natural Flavor. Contains Milk.
Pair-with:
Digestive biscuits or cinnamon crisps.
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe’s cheese aisle has more to offer than just the usual suspects. From spicy soft cheeses to aged goudas with a crunch, these under-the-radar picks are worth a spot on your next charcuterie board—or just your Tuesday night snack plate. Don’t sleep on these sleeper hits!
