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+ servings
Homemade Pepper Jack Cheese on plastic mat

Pepper Jack Cheese

Make this Pepper Jack cheese exactly to your liking with the peppers you love most.
5 from 1 vote
Cook Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Pressing Time 12 hours
Total Time 16 hours 30 minutes
Course Cheese
Cuisine American
Servings 32 ounces
Calories 143 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 gallons milk not Ultra High Pasteurized
  • 1 packet mesophilic cheese culture
  • OR 1/8 tsp bulk mesophilic culture
  • 1/2 tsp regular strength liquid rennet dissolved in 1/2 cup cool filtered water
  • 1 Tbsp sea salt
  • 1 3/4 tsp coarsely ground peppers of your choice

Instructions
 

  • Heat the milk to 90°F in a stainless steel pot.
  • Add culture and allow to re-hydrate for 2-3 minutes. Stir in with a stainless steel or wooden spoon with an up and down motion.
  • Cover pot and let sit for 30-45 minutes to culture.
  • Stir in any cream that may have separated, and add the rennet and water mixture stirring with an up and down motion.
  • Let the pot sit undisturbed at 90°F for 45 minutes or until the whey separates out from the curd.
  • Cut the curd into 1/4 inch cubes and let sit undisturbed for 45 minutes.
  • Bring the temperature slowly up to 100°F over the next 30 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • Keep the temperature at 100°F for the next 30 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • Let the curds settle for 5 to 10 minutes and then pour half the whey out. Leave just enough to cover the curds.
  • Keep the curds at 100°F for another 30 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • Pour the curds into the colander lined with butter muslin. Add the sea salt and the pepper mixture. Mix in thoroughly.
  • Let the curds drain.
  • Line the mold of your press with butter muslin and pack the curds in. Press for 15 minutes at 5 pounds of pressure.
  • Remove the cheese and redress. Press for 12 hours at 10 pounds of pressure.
  • Remove cheese from press and allow to air dry for 2 to 3 days.
  • Wax or vacuum seal cheese and age at 55° to 60°F for 30 days or 60 days if you used raw milk.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ounceCalories: 143kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 8gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 308mgPotassium: 360mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 455IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 291mgIron: 0.02mg
Keyword homemade cheese, pepper jack cheese, raw cheese
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