Keto Cheese List: 20 Best Low-Carb Cheeses, Ranked
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Cheese might be the most keto food there is: high in fat, rich in protein, and low enough in carbs that most varieties barely register. That said, not all cheese is equal, a few soft and processed types carry more carbs than you would expect. This keto cheese list ranks 20 common cheeses from lowest to highest net carbs, your best keto-friendly cheese options in one place, so you can build cheese boards, sauces, and snacks without a second thought.
Checking a brand you have in the fridge? Search it in the keto food database for the exact numbers.
The lowest-carb keto cheeses
These are essentially free on keto, reach for them without counting:
- Mini Babybel, 0g net carbs. The perfect portioned keto snack.
- Gruyère, 0.4g net carbs.
- Brie, 0.5g net carbs. Soft, buttery, keto royalty.
- Camembert, 0.5g net carbs.
- Havarti, 0.7g net carbs.
- Goat cheese (chèvre), 0.9g net carbs.
- String cheese, 1g net carbs. Portable and kid-friendly.
- Monterey Jack, 1.2g net carbs.
- Cheddar, 1.3g net carbs. The everyday workhorse.
- Edam, 1.4g net carbs.
- Emmental, 1.4g net carbs.
- Pepper Jack, 1.5g net carbs.
Great everyday keto cheeses
Still very low-carb and perfect for melting, grilling, and snacking:
- Provolone, 2.1g net carbs.
- Mozzarella, 2.2g net carbs, the base for chaffles and fathead dough.
- Gouda, 2.2g net carbs.
- Halloumi, 2.2g net carbs. Holds its shape when grilled, a keto favorite.
- Blue cheese, 2.3g net carbs.
- Burrata, 3g net carbs. Creamy and worth every one.
- Ricotta (whole milk), 3g net carbs.
- Paneer, 3.4g net carbs.
Higher-carb cheeses to watch
Still keto in normal amounts, just count them if you eat a lot:
- Feta, 4g net carbs.
- Cream cheese, 4g net carbs (whipped is a touch higher).
- Parmesan, 4g net carbs, but usually eaten in small grated amounts.
- Mascarpone, 4.8g net carbs.
- Swiss cheese, 5.4g net carbs, the highest of the common hard cheeses.
How to use cheese on keto
Cheese is a fat-and-flavor multiplier: melt it over vegetables, blister it into cheese crisps or a chaffle, or wrap it around cold cuts for a two-minute snack. The one caution is protein and calories, cheese is easy to overeat, so if weight loss stalls, portion it rather than grazing. Pair your cheese habit with a full day of meals from the Keto Day Builder, and browse more keto food lists for what to put alongside it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cheese for keto?
The lowest-carb options are Babybel, gruyère, brie, camembert, havarti, and goat cheese, all at roughly 0-1g net carbs. Cheddar and mozzarella are excellent all-purpose everyday choices at 1-2g net carbs.
Is any cheese not keto?
Almost all natural cheese is keto. Watch highly processed cheese products and anything breaded (like mozzarella sticks), and count softer, higher-carb cheeses like Swiss, mascarpone, and cottage cheese if you eat large amounts.
Is halloumi keto?
Yes. Halloumi has about 2.2g net carbs and is high in fat and protein. Because it holds its shape when grilled or fried, it is one of the most useful cheeses on a ketogenic diet.
Sources & references
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