Pepper Jack vs Monterey Jack: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Pepper Jack is lower in calories at 360, while Monterey Jack has 373. Monterey Jack has slightly more protein at 24.5 g compared to Pepper Jack's 24 g.

Pepper Jack and Monterey Jack are both popular cheeses with distinct flavors and textures. This comparison examines their nutritional profiles to help you make informed dietary choices.

What Is the Difference Between Pepper Jack and Monterey Jack?

Pepper Jack is a spicy variant of Monterey Jack cheese, infused with peppers and spices. It is known for its creamy texture and zesty flavor. Monterey Jack is a semi-hard cheese that originated in the United States. It is mild in flavor and has a smooth, creamy texture.

Pepper Jack vs Monterey Jack: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of Pepper Jack and Monterey Jack cheese, detailing their nutritional content.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Pepper jack cheese	Monterey Jack
Calories	360 kcal	373 kcal
Protein	24 g	24.5 g
Carbs	1.2 g	0.7 g
Sugar	0.5 g	0.5 g
Fat	29 g	30.3 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	600 mg	600 mg

Which Is Better, Pepper Jack or Monterey Jack?

For weight loss: Pepper Jack has 360 calories, which is lower than Monterey Jack's 373 calories. Choosing Pepper Jack may be beneficial for those focused on calorie reduction.

For muscle and protein: Monterey Jack contains 24.5 g of protein, slightly higher than Pepper Jack's 24 g. This makes Monterey Jack a better option for those seeking protein.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Pepper Jack has 1.2 g of carbs and 0.5 g of sugar, while Monterey Jack has 0.7 g of carbs and 0.5 g of sugar. Both cheeses are low in carbs and sugar.

How to Track Pepper jack and Monterey Jack Accurately

Cheese portions can be easy to misjudge, leading to inaccurate macro tracking. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use only, and not intended as medical advice. Always consult a professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g: Pepper jack from Open Food Facts (aggregated plain entries), Monterey Jack from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which cheese has more protein?

Monterey Jack has 24.5 g of protein, while Pepper Jack has 24 g.

Which cheese has fewer calories?

Pepper Jack has 360 calories, while Monterey Jack has 373 calories.

What is the fat content in Pepper Jack?

Pepper Jack contains 29 g of fat per 100 g.

How much sodium is in Monterey Jack?

Monterey Jack has 600 mg of sodium per 100 g.

What are the sugar levels in both cheeses?

Both Pepper Jack and Monterey Jack have 0.5 g of sugar per 100 g.

What is the carbohydrate content of Monterey Jack?

Monterey Jack contains 0.7 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Pepper Jack has 360 calories per 100 g.
• Monterey Jack has 373 calories per 100 g.
• Pepper Jack contains 24 g of protein.
• Monterey Jack contains 24.5 g of protein.
• Both cheeses have 0.5 g of sugar.
• Pepper Jack has 29 g of fat, while Monterey Jack has 30.3 g.