We love our cheddar cheese in the U.S. In 2022, we ate 11.37 pounds of cheddar per capita. (Cheddar fell short of Mozzarella in the number one spot, with 12.55 pounds being eaten per capita. I know there is at least one person out there besides me interested in cheese-eating data. This one’s for you, bud.)
But what kind of cheddar are you using at home to dress your burger, sandwich, charcuterie board, or grilled cheese? Store-bought cheddar cheese slices vary widely in quality, but if you’re skipping the block form, you probably want some convenient, delicious slices.
I’ve written about almost every inch of the grocery store for Cheapism, so I figured it was time to dive into the world of sliced cheddar. I grabbed every major brand I could find and ranked them for a taste test. Here are the seven most popular brands of sliced cheddar cheese, ranked.
Best: Sargento Creamery Sliced Cheddar Cheese
Have you ever seen a Sargento commercial? Where, at the end, owners Lou and Louie Gentine stand in front of a green-screened background and say, “we’re real cheese people” in a very uncomfortable way? I’m fascinated by ’em. Those two feel like legitimate aliens, like the bugs from “Men in Black.” Real cheese people, like made out of cheese, from a cheese planet. Real cheese people.
Those alien sons of guns have made a heck of a sliced cheddar, though. I should certainly hope so, too, since that’s what their entire homeworld is made out of. Sargento’s sliced cheddar is thin, but not so thin that you can’t taste it. The package boasts that this is natural cheese, sliced right off the block, and I have to say that I buy it. I can taste a more impressive flavor than I can in most store-brand cheese; it’s mild and balanced, with just the slightest touch of sweetness. I’d melt this onto just about anything.
2. Tillamook Sharp Cheddar Farmstyle Slices
I thought Tillamook would crush the competition here. This is a company that makes really great stuff, across the board. The ice cream? You kidding me? I love you, Tillamook, so it gives me no pleasure to swat a first place rating from you.
This is so tough, because look, folks, this is just my opinion. I prefer my cheddar to be a little creamier and more delicate, a la Sargento. Tillamook is serving up big slices with deep, wholly realized cheddar flavor. I’m no match for that, because it’s just so decadent. This is well-made cheese, and it’s probably any chedd-head’s delight. But it’s not mine.
3. 365 Whole Foods Market Sliced Mild Cheddar Cheese
Whole Foods lands in third place, but I’d be lying if I said I was 100% satisfied with this decision. The differences between Sargento, Whole Foods, and Private Selection are extremely slight. Whole Foods is selling sliced cheddar that’s light and tasty — very much my speed. The problem is, it’s so light that it ultimately lacks flavor. This cheese also doesn’t feel like a real hunk of true, well-made cheddar the way Tillamook does, but you won’t regret buying this for a second.
4. Private Selection Mild Sliced Cheddar Cheese
There’s the slightest funk in here that causes the Kroger-owned brand to dip, but I still enjoyed this cheddar a lot. If the store was out of the above three and this was all you could find, you’d be in great hands. This wants to be part of a grilled cheese very, very badly.
5. Boar’s Head Deli-Sliced Vermont Cheddar Cheese
I tried to get cute. Fresh-sliced cheese from the deli, I thought, really oughta shake up the competition. A lot of grocery stores offer fresh-sliced Boar’s Head cheese, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think this would be Top 3 material.
It’s not. Boar’s Head’s cheddar is thick and a little bit dry, but ultimately, its main crime is being boring. There’s just nothing to this. It’s not bad, but it certainly isn’t making me say “yum.”
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6. Laura Lynn Sliced Mild Cheddar Cheese
Occasionally, a budget product is so bland you can’t taste it at all. That’s what this is. It’s nearly impossible to taste on its own, so I can’t imagine how hard it would be to detect on a sandwich. What a waste. This is cheddar for people who don’t like cheese.
7. Kraft Sharp Cheddar Singles
Did you know Kraft made other Singles besides American cheese? I didn’t. Well, they claim they make cheddar Singles as well, but in my opinion, they don’t.
This tastes so much like a regular American Single. There’s an oh-so-slight hint of artificial cheddar flavor in here, but… this is just a regular Single, my friends. You ain’t fooling me, Kraft.
More Taste Tests From Cheapism You Might Like
- 10 Brands of American Cheese, Ranked — Sometimes the occasion calls for good ol’ American cheese. Make sure you’re picking up the best stuff money can buy.
- We Tried 8 Popular White Breads And This Is the Best (and Worst) — Maybe you’re making an old-school grilled cheese or maybe you need to slap together a bunch of PB&Js for lunch—whatever the case, our white bread taste test lets you know which brand you should keep on hand.
- I Tried 6 Yellow Mustards, and One of Them Surprised Me — Whether you’re topping hot dogs or spreading it on a sandwich, find out which yellow mustard cuts the, well, mustard.
