White American cheese substitutes
White American cheese substitutes — 6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use White Cheddar cheese
Same amount as the white American cheese
Natural white cheese with similar melting properties and mild flavor.
The best substitutes for white American cheese are white cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack, or Velveeta depending on the dish.
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- grilled cheese
Updated 19 Aug 2026 · no sponsored swaps
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of white American cheese | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | White Cheddar cheesegrilled cheese | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 2 | Colby cheesegrilled cheese | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 3 | Monterey Jackgrilled cheese | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 4 | Velveetamac and cheese | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 5 | Swiss cheesegrilled cheese | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 6 | White Goudagrilled cheese | Same amountWorks | Works |
White Cheddar cheese
similar taste and texture
Natural white cheese with similar melting properties and mild flavor.
- Best for
- grilled cheese, burgers, mac and cheese, cooking
Similar melting properties but more complex flavor than processed cheese.
Colby cheese
similar taste and texture
Mild, semi-hard cheese with good melting properties and natural white color.
- Best for
- grilled cheese, burgers, cooking, melting
Very similar in taste and melting to American cheese, naturally white.
Monterey Jack
similar taste and texture
Mild, semi-soft cheese with excellent melting and natural white color.
- Best for
- grilled cheese, burgers, cooking, quesadillas
Similar mild flavor and melting properties, naturally white.
Velveeta
similar taste, identical texture
Processed cheese product with similar smooth texture and white color.
- Best for
- mac and cheese, queso dip, cooking, melting
Similar processed texture and melting properties, available in white.
Swiss cheese
different taste, similar texture
Mild, nutty cheese with good melting properties and natural white color.
- Best for
- grilled cheese, burgers, cooking, melting
Similar melting but slightly different flavor, naturally white.
White Gouda
similar taste and texture
Mild, semi-hard cheese with good melting and natural white color.
- Best for
- grilled cheese, cooking, melting, burgers
Similar mild flavor and melting properties, naturally white.
Questions
4 questionsWhat's the difference between white and regular American cheese?
White American cheese is identical to regular American cheese in taste, texture, and melting properties. The only difference is that white American cheese doesn't contain annatto (orange food coloring), so it maintains a natural white color.
Can I use regular American cheese instead of white American cheese?
Yes, regular American cheese will work as a substitute for white American cheese in terms of taste and texture. The only difference will be the orange color, which may not matter depending on your dish.
Why choose white American cheese over regular American cheese?
White American cheese is often chosen for aesthetic reasons - it provides a cleaner, more uniform appearance in dishes where the orange color of regular American cheese might be undesirable or distracting.
Do white and regular American cheese melt the same way?
Yes, white and regular American cheese have identical melting properties since they're made with the same process and ingredients, just without the orange food coloring in the white version.
Tips for substituting white American cheese
6 tips- White American cheese melts smoothly without separating, just like regular American cheese
- Good for grilled cheese sandwiches where you want a clean white appearance
- Great for burgers when you want the cheese to blend visually with other white ingredients
- Works well in mac and cheese and queso dips for a cleaner, more uniform appearance
- Has the same mild, creamy flavor as regular American cheese without the orange coloring
- Store wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator, same as regular American cheese