pepper jack cheese

noun

variants or pepper jack

ˈpe-pər-ˌjak 

or less commonly pepperjack cheese or pepperjack

plural pepper jack cheeses or pepper jacks also pepperjack cheeses or pepperjacks

: a semisoft cheese with high moisture content to which chopped hot peppers (such as jalapeños) have been added

Joining a sizeable piece of grilled chicken (sandwiches only come in one size) were pepper jack cheese, spicy chipotle mayo, jalapenos, lettuce, tomato and red onion.

—Robin Hall Domeier

Sometimes we leave our fancy food magazine bona fides at the door—like when we use spicy pepper jack to give life to boring cold cuts.

—BonAppetit.com

Examples of pepper jack cheese in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Start with a mason jar of tasty pickled veggies ($8) before moving on to the main attraction, like the superlative De Leon, which comes with pepper jack cheese, avocado, pickled jalapeno and arbol salsa ($11). — Carolyn Van Houten, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026

The loaf also features Frank’s buffalo seasoning, ranch powder, jalapeño slices, plus more pepper jack cheese, bacon bits, and scallions. — Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2026

Egg on a Roll The Brisket Firecracker is a breakfast sandwich with an egg soufflé, pepper jack cheese, smoked brisket and an elote sauce with Cry Baby Craig’s hot sauce. — Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 28 Jan. 2026

The double stack turkey smashburger with roasted poblano, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, onions and tomato jam will be served for $29. — Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

pepper entry 1 + jack entry 1 (in sense monterey jack) + cheese entry 1

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pepper jack cheese

• actuaries
• analyses
• anopheles
• antitheses
• apostrophes
• appendices
• catalyses
• distributees
• examinees
• hypotheses
• interviewees
• isosceles