Bearded Butchers High-Temp Cheddar & Pepper Jack Cheese - Sausage

In this review the Bearded Butchers High-Temp Cheddar & Pepper Jack Cheese is evaluated for home sausage makers and small meat processors who need a cheese that survives cooking. The bottom line: this two-pack of pre-diced, shelf-stable cheese is aimed at people making brats, snack sticks, patties, and burgers who want a consistent, creamy cheese chunk that will hold shape at higher cooking temperatures. It performs as promised up to 400F and is convenient for batch sausage work where even distribution and portion control matter.

Key Features

• High-temp formulation: Made to withstand cooking and smoking up to 400F so the cheese maintains shape and texture during grilling and smoking.
• Pre-diced 1/4-in cubes: Uniform small cubes blend evenly into ground meat, giving consistent pockets of cheese without large molten blobs.
• Pre-portioned for recipes: Each 2.5 lb bag is measured to mix with up to 25 lbs of meat, simplifying recipe scaling and keeping the cheese-to-meat ratio consistent.
• Shelf-stable packaging: Packaged to stay fresh before opening, which is convenient for storage and occasional use without immediate refrigeration.
• Versatile flavor pair: The cheddar and pepper jack combination adds both creamy and spicy notes that work well in sausages, brats, burgers, and snack sticks.

Who It's For

This product is ideal for home butchers, hobbyist sausage makers, and small-scale producers who prepare brats, summer sausage, snack sticks, burgers, or patties and need cheese that survives cooking. The pre-diced 1/4-in cubes and pre-portioned bags will save time during mix-up and help deliver predictable results across batches.

It is less suitable for chefs seeking fresh, melt-focused cheeses for pours or melt-in sauces, or for cooks who prefer tearing or grating fresh block cheese right before service. Buyers wanting very large cubes or a fully melting cheese should look elsewhere.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Holds shape at high temperatures, making it practical for grilled and smoked sausages.
• Pre-diced 1/4-in cubes ensure even distribution and predictable texture in mixed meat.
• Pre-measured 2.5 lb bags simplify scaling to up to 25 lbs of meat and reduce measuring errors.
• Customers note good taste and perceived value for sausage making and other applications.

Cons

• After opening refrigeration is recommended, so long-term pantry storage is limited once used.
• Those seeking a fully meltable, creamy pour cheese will find this product intentionally more heat-stable and less melty.

Specifications

Product format	Two 2.5 lb bags (5 lbs total)
Cube size	Pre-diced 1/4-in cubes
Heat tolerance	Up to 400F high-temp cheese
Intended use per bag	Portioned for up to 25 lbs of meat per 2.5 lb bag
Storage before opening	Shelf-stable
Recommended after opening	Refrigerate after opening
Recommended applications	Sausage, brats, snack sticks, burgers, patties

Our Verdict

The Bearded Butchers High-Temp Cheddar & Pepper Jack Cheese is a practical choice for anyone making sausage, brats, or meat sticks who needs a cheese that keeps its shape during cooking and smoking. Its pre-diced 1/4-in cubes and pre-portioned bags deliver consistent results and real time savings, making it good value for small-scale batch work and for cooks who prioritize texture retention over full melt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this cheese safe to cook at high temperatures?
Yes, it is formulated to withstand cooking and smoking up to 400F without melting into a liquid.

How much meat does one bag cover?
Each 2.5 lb bag is portioned to mix with up to 25 lbs of meat for the recommended cheese-to-meat ratio.

Do I need to refrigerate it before opening?
The product is shelf-stable before opening, but refrigeration is recommended after the package has been opened.