The 7 Best Cheeses for Burritos and Burrito Bowls

Burritos and burrito bowls are all the rage! But unfortunately, too many people use the most ridiculous cheese options there are! We mean really! Adding American cheese slices to birria meat? That should be a crime!

Comparison Table

Cheese	Melting Ability	Flavor Profile	Review
Queso Fresco	Softens, does not completely melt	Salty	Full Review
Monterey Jack	Melts very well	Mild	Full Review
Quasillo Oaxaca	Melts incredibly well	Similar to mozzarella	Full Review
Queso Asadero	Very creamy when melted	Slightly sweet and buttery	Full Review
Mild Cheddar	Very creamy when melted	Sharp (depending on age)	Full Review
Cotija	Does not melt	Super creamy and salty	Full Review
Chili Con Queso	Sauce	Varied with chili peppers and tomato	Full Review

So, what cheeses should you use for burritos instead? You should always aim to use a mildly flavored cheese that has melting properties. If not, you can always opt for a creamy alternative.

This includes options like Monterrey Jack, Cotija, Queso Fresco, Oaxaca, Queso Asadero, and Chili Con Queso.

Today, we will take a deeper look at each of these options, why they work, and the best way to use them for burrito bowls and wrap. And we’ve also included a guide on choosing alternatives that better suit your preferences.

What Are Burritos?

Everybody has heard of a burrito. Yet, a shocking amount of people still don’t know what goes into them.

First and foremost, a burrito is not just a type of wrap. There are very specific ingredients (or types of ingredients) that go into making these. That’s also why we will be looking at specific cheeses you should use, but more on that soon.

A burrito is a Mexican tortilla wrap made with either beef, chicken, or pulled pork filling. It also always contains rice or re-fried beans, and a variety of fresh toppings. These can be anything from lettuce, salsa fresco, guacamole, sour cream, and fresh herbs.

Now, one of our favorite ingredients and a must-add addition to any burrito recipe is cheese!

Many people simply put any type of cheese in a burrito. But ideally, the cheese you use should have a mild flavor and should easily melt. Burritos are steamed or toasted to finish them off, which helps merge the flavors and blend together the delicious textures.

If you have cheese that has an overwhelming flavor profile, it could ruin the entire burrito. If it is too mild, it’s almost pointless adding it at all.

Furthermore, when it comes to the texture, melty cheese is a must-add. Most of the ingredients in a burrito aren’t very creamy or smooth. So, melting cheese provides a refreshing change in texture and adds a creamier mouth feel.

There are some exceptions to the rule, but they depend on the other fillings added. Feta is one common example that comes to mind. It can make a delicious addition, but only if paired with the right ingredients and textures.

What Is a Burrito Bowl?

Burrito bowls are deconstructed burritos. Think of them as a pretty Instagram salad, but made with burrito ingredients only. 

In this case, the ingredients aren’t usually toasted or baked. So the cheese never really gets melted. That means that you will have a lot more options for these bowls.

That being said, it’s still important to choose a cheese that has a neutral flavor. The ingredients will remain the same for the bowl as for the assembled burrito. So a pungent cheese may just ruin the flavor profile.

The 7 Best Cheeses for Burritos and Burrito Bowls

So, as we’ve said, it’s best to choose cheeses that melt very easily and that have a relatively neutral flavor profile.

We’ve assembled a list of our personal favorites that will all work exceptionally well in both burritos and burrito bowls. We’ve also added some curve balls to the list if you are feeling a little experimental!

Each of these cheeses is very different. So if it is at all possible, give them all a try! This is the best way to ensure you get an option that you become obsessed with!

Let’s get to it!

1. Queso Fresco

First up, we have a cheese that will soften but not completely melt. While this does contradict what we originally said, this is arguably the best cheese for authentic Mexican burritos.

Because the cheese still softens when heated, it will still create that needed creamy texture you want for your dish. It has a rich mouthfeel and can effortlessly stand out from the other additions without overwhelming them.

Furthermore, this fresh cheese is somewhat salty. This obviously adds flavor but simultaneously acts as a flavor enhancer for the other elements. If you are trying to reduce your salt intake, just reduce the quantity added to the other elements such as guacamole, rice, beans, and meaty filling.

Queso Fresco is also a cheese option that pairs exceptionally well with spicy burritos. And it’s exceptional when paired with fresh chilies and peppers, like jalapenos.

This Mexican cheese is extremely easy to find, and you can either buy it online or at your closest Latin American grocer. 

2. Monterey Jack

This may seem like an extremely boring option to some, but here’s why it may be better than you think!

First of all, Monterey Jack is an incredibly melty cheese that will give you the exact texture that you want in burritos. It also has a very mild flavor that is similar to cheddar but without the sharpness.

This makes it perfect for people who don’t love very pungent cheeses or trying new cheese types.

It’s semi-hard, meaning you can use slices or grate it into smaller pieces before using it. And remember, the finer it is shredded, the quicker it will melt. This allows you to quickly sear the wrap without having to overcook the filling.

Now, even though this isn’t a traditionally used cheese in Mexican dishes, it’s super easy to find, which is why it’s ranked so high. And because it’s not a special cheese, it’s often a lot cheaper than those you’ll find in the Mexican aisle.

Monterey Jack is easy to use, easy to pair with other flavors, goes well with spicy chilis, and comes at a very affordable price. 

3. Quasillo Oaxaca

This is another one of our favorite Mexican cheeses that is a staple in almost every Tex-Mex dish. Oaxaca cheese, also known as quesillo, is a semi-hard white cheese. Its flavor is very similar to that of unaged Monterrey Jack, but its texture better resembles soft mozzarella.

This Mexican cheese melts incredibly well, which is why it’s so popular in dishes like quesadillas, empanadas, and, of course, burritos.

Now, the only reason we’ve placed it below Monterrey Jack, even though it is a more authentic option, is that it’s sometimes difficult to find in stores. Your best bet would likely be online on websites like Amazon.

But, in store, they are sold out most of the time. And even if they aren’t they are a little more expensive.

Nevertheless, for the most authentic burrito, definitely use Oaxana instead of Monterrey Jack.

4. Queso Asadero

Queso Asadero is a fantastic melting cheese from Chihuahua, Mexico. While it is somewhat difficult to find and often a little pricey, it’s a great option that has a neutral flavor and uber-creamy melted texture.

This cheese is a semi-hard option that can be found in pale yellow or white. It has a slightly sweet and buttery flavor, which is why it goes so well with burritos. 

That being said, there are some aged options out there that can be a little stronger, like a young-aged cheddar.

If you cannot find Queso Asadero, your best alternative would be Fontina or Monterrey Jack.

5. Mild Cheddar

Again, another basic, yet highly functional cheese for burritos and burrito bowls. Cheddar is super easy to find, very affordable, and comes in a variety of options.

Most young cheddar products have only been aged for a month. For burritos, we’d recommend either these or a 3-month-aged cheddar.

You can experiment with older options, but the sharp flavor may overwhelm the other elements in your dish.

Cheddar is also one of the most famous semi-hard melting cheeses which is why it’s such a popular addition to these kinds of dishes. It will add a ton of creaminess and that elusive cheese pull.

6. Cotija

Cotija is not a melting cheese. It is, however, a super creamy cheese. This makes up for the lack of melt, and it can still give you a super satisfying mouthfeel in your burrito and especially burrito bowls.

Like Queso Fresco, Cotija is a salty cheese. So, keep this in mind when pairing it with other savory elements. And again, if you want to reduce the amount of salt you add to the dish, definitely adjust the quantities in the other elements.

This cheese is relatively easy to find and comes at a good price. If you don’t have access to it, soft feta cheese is a great alternative.

7. Chili Con Queso

Last but certainly not least, chili con queso is a delicious cheese dipping sauce made from a variety of melting cheeses, chili peppers, and tomatoes. There are many recipes out there that make it easy to pair with that of your burrito or bowl.

But if it’s not cheese, why is it on the list?

Believe it or not, this is how MANY burritos are served – with a cheese sauce, not a cheese filling.

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