Quick Answer: Our top pick for Swiss cheese on a charcuterie board is Sargento Aged Swiss (4.6 out of 5). Block: Kerrygold Swiss Cheese. Deli-sliced: Boar's Head Gold Label Imported Switzerland Swiss. We ranked 6 widely sold options on how they work on a board, published taste tests and awards, ingredients, value and how easy they are to find.
American Swiss cheese is a mild, nutty, holey cheese in the style of Swiss Emmentaler. At the grocery store it ranges from waxy sandwich slices to aged blocks with real nuttiness. For a board you want flavor and a texture that isn't rubbery, so these rankings lean on two published taste tests, then aging, price and how easy each one is to find.
How we ranked these: these are researched picks, not a side-by-side tasting. We scored each product on published taste tests and awards, its ingredient list, price and where you can buy it, plus how that style of product behaves on a board. Sources are listed at the end, and the full method is on our buying guides hub. Prices and stock last checked October 2026.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best overall: Sargento Aged Swiss ($) | ★★★★½ 4.6 |
| Best block: Kerrygold Swiss Cheese ($$) | ★★★★½ 4.3 |
| Best deli-sliced: Boar's Head Gold Label Imported Switzerland Swiss ($$) | ★★★★☆ 4.2 |
The full ranking
| Product | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Sargento Aged Swiss ($) | ★★★★½ 4.6 | Folded slices on any board |
| 2. Kerrygold Swiss Cheese ($$) | ★★★★½ 4.3 | Cubes and wedges |
| 3. Boar's Head Gold Label Imported Switzerland Swiss ($$) | ★★★★☆ 4.2 | Thin deli slices |
| 4. Trader Joe's Sliced Swiss ($) | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | Cheese on crackers |
| 5. Organic Valley Baby Swiss ($$) | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | Guests new to Swiss |
| 6. Land O'Lakes Swiss Cheese ($) | ★★★½☆ 3.6 | A budget deli slice |
1. Sargento Aged Swiss
★★★★½ 4.6 out of 5 · Best overall · Best for: Folded slices on any board · $ budget
Aged at least 60 days. Tasting Table ranked it 1st of 9 for a more intense nuttiness, a sweet note and a slight funk, with a firm texture that isn't waxy, and named it the best store-bought Swiss. Sporked gave regular Sargento Sliced Swiss 10 out of 10.
- Why we like it: The most flavor in a packaged slice, at a supermarket price.
- Keep in mind: It comes sliced, so fold or roll it rather than cubing it.
- Where to buy: Nearly every grocery store.
2. Kerrygold Swiss Cheese
★★★★½ 4.3 out of 5 · Best block · Best for: Cubes and wedges · $$ mid-range
An Irish Swiss sold as a block. Sporked gave it 9 out of 10 as the best funky Swiss, with a sharp flavor that reminded them of Manchego.
- Why we like it: A block you can cut into cubes, with more bite than most Swiss.
- Keep in mind: Sharper than classic American Swiss.
- Where to buy: Walmart and many grocery cheese cases.
3. Boar's Head Gold Label Imported Switzerland Swiss
★★★★☆ 4.2 out of 5 · Best deli-sliced · Best for: Thin deli slices · $$ mid-range
Made in Switzerland and aged over 120 days. Tasting Table ranked it 2nd of 9 for its nuttiness, tang and hint of sweetness, and Sporked gave it 8.5 out of 10 for delicate, thin slices.
- Why we like it: Real Swiss-made cheese, sliced to order.
- Keep in mind: Deli prices, and very thin slices tear if you fold them tightly.
- Where to buy: Deli counters that carry Boar's Head.
4. Trader Joe's Sliced Swiss
★★★★☆ 4.0 out of 5 · Best for: Cheese on crackers · $ budget
Sporked gave it 9 out of 10 as the best Swiss for crackers: thick slices with a rich, nutty flavor.
- Why we like it: Thick slices that sit well on a cracker.
- Keep in mind: Only at Trader Joe's.
- Where to buy: Trader Joe's.
5. Organic Valley Baby Swiss
★★★★☆ 4.0 out of 5 · Best for: Guests new to Swiss · $$ mid-range
A younger, softer Swiss. Tasting Table ranked it 3rd of 9 for a creamy, buttery, mild flavor with no waxiness, and suggested it for first-time Swiss eaters.
- Why we like it: Mild and creamy, and organic.
- Keep in mind: Little of the nutty bite of aged Swiss.
- Where to buy: Whole Foods and many grocery stores.
6. Land O'Lakes Swiss Cheese
★★★½☆ 3.6 out of 5 · Best for: A budget deli slice · $ budget
Tasting Table ranked it 4th of 9: firm and not waxy, with a Gruyère-like texture, a light flavor and a slight nuttiness.
- Why we like it: A firm, inexpensive deli option.
- Keep in mind: Mild, so it won't stand out on a board.
- Where to buy: Most deli counters.
How the scores break down
Each product is scored 1 to 5 on five things, then weighted: how it works on a board (30%), published taste tests and awards (25%), ingredients (15%), value (15%) and how easy it is to find (15%).
| Product | On the board | Reviews and awards | Ingredients | Value | Easy to find | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sargento Aged Swiss | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4.6 |
| Kerrygold Swiss Cheese | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4.3 |
| Boar's Head Gold Label Imported Switzerland Swiss | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4.2 |
| Trader Joe's Sliced Swiss | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4.0 |
| Organic Valley Baby Swiss | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4.0 |
| Land O'Lakes Swiss Cheese | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3.6 |
What to look for on the label
Label check: "Aged" on the label, or an age in days. Older Swiss is nuttier and firmer. Imported Emmentaler is the traditional version and costs more.
Skip: Reduced-fat Swiss for a board. It's drier and has less flavor. Ultra-thin slices also tear when you fold them.
Serving it: Swiss is a semi-firm cheese, so take it out of the fridge 30 to 45 minutes before serving. Fold slices into quarters or roll them, or cut a block into cubes. It's easy to like with ham, mustard, apples and rye crackers.
For what Swiss cheese pairs with and how to serve it, see the Emmental guide. To see every ranked guide, visit our charcuterie buying guides.
Swiss cheese questions
What is the best Swiss cheese brand?
Sargento Aged Swiss ranked 1st of 9 in Tasting Table's test. For a block you can cube, Kerrygold Swiss scored 9 out of 10 at Sporked.
Is Swiss cheese the same as Emmental?
American Swiss is made in the style of Swiss Emmentaler, but it's usually milder and aged for less time. Emmentaler AOP comes from Switzerland.
What is baby Swiss?
A younger Swiss with smaller holes and a milder, creamier flavor.
How long before serving should Swiss come out of the fridge?
30 to 45 minutes.
Sources
- Tasting Table: 9 Store-Bought Swiss Cheeses, Ranked Worst To Best
- Tasting Table: The Absolute Best Store-Bought Swiss Cheese
- Sporked: An Updated Ranking of the Best Swiss Cheese
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