MyTastr

Best american cheese, according to chefs

Two picks, each tied to a named taster and a public source — from Alyse Whitney, Eva Filer, Andrea Rivera Wawrzyn and Jess Kelly. Recommendations come from bonappetit.com, yahoo.com and eatthis.com.

Dairy & Cold · The ranking

  1. 1
    Top pick

    Cooper Sharp White American

    Chosen by
    Also chosen by
    A deli-counter “sharp American” built on cheddar aged 100 to 180 days. Whitney (2017): it “had the sharpness of a cheddar and a hint of salty Parmesan… impossibly creamy,” and it “melts better than any cheese I’ve cooked with.” The Kitchn’s food editor Andrea Rivera Wawrzyn picks it for grilled cheese for its creamy melt and sharper, aged flavor, and recipe developer Eva Filer uses it for cheesesteaks. Sold at deli counters (Wegmans and others) and by mail from Cooper.
    Where to buy · coopercheese.com ↗Instacart ↗Source: bonappetit.com ↗
  2. 2

    Land O Lakes White Deli American (sliced to order)

    Chosen by
    Also chosen by
    Won a January 2025 tasting of ten American cheeses, ahead of Kraft Singles and Boar’s Head: “incredible flavor. It’s creamy, melts in my mouth… with a sharpness that the prepackaged singles just don’t have.” Get the white, not the yellow, which tasted more artificial. At deli counters nationwide; Eva Filer also names it for cheesesteaks.
    Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: eatthis.com ↗

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Questions, answered

What is the best american cheese, according to chefs?
MyTastr’s top pick is Cooper Sharp White American, chosen by Alyse Whitney (Bon Appétit). A deli-counter “sharp American” built on cheddar aged 100 to 180 days. Whitney (2017): it “had the sharpness of a cheddar and a hint of salty Parmesan… impossibly creamy,” and it “melts better than any cheese I’ve cooked with.” The Kitchn’s food editor Andrea Rivera Wawrzyn picks it for grilled cheese for its creamy melt and sharper, aged flavor, and recipe developer Eva Filer uses it for cheesesteaks. Sold at deli counters (Wegmans and others) and by mail from Cooper. Source: bonappetit.com ↗
What are the other top picks for american cheese?
No. 2 is Land O Lakes White Deli American (sliced to order), chosen by Jess Kelly (Eat This, Not That!). Only two picks cleared the bar so far. Each card above links to the original source.
How does MyTastr choose these picks?
Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot. Read how we pick.

The tasters behind this ranking

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