Originating in Greece, feta cheese is an incredibly popular and tasty cheese around the world. Many people enjoy the salty taste of feta on top of their salads, toast, and pasta dishes. But if you’ve used the last of your feta and need a substitute for feta cheese, there are a handful of other cheese products that you can use in its place.
From ricotta to cottage cheese to queso fresco, you should be able to find a suitable substitute for feta cheese that fits your taste preferences and dietary needs. Read on to see the five best alternatives to feta cheese.
Ricotta
Ricotta is one of the most popular substitutes for feta cheese. Why? Because it successfully replicates the crumbly texture and delicious taste of feta. However, ricotta is less salty than feta, so you might need to add an extra pinch of salt to your recipe to imitate the flavor accurately. You can also keep an eye out for ricotta salata, which is an older and drier form of ricotta cheese that tastes more like feta.
Cotija cheese
Cotija cheese is a mild Mexican cheese that’s frequently used on top of tacos, salads, enchiladas, and similar dishes. At first glance, you will notice that cotija cheese looks nearly identical to feta cheese since it comes in a block and easily crumbles down into smaller pieces. Plus, cotija cheese is quite salty in taste, making it a strong substitute for feta cheese.
Goat cheese
As the name suggests, goat cheese (also known as chèvre) comes from goat’s milk. It is produced in a variety of textures and flavors, although it’s most often sold as a soft and creamy cheese that’s easy to spread over crackers. Goat cheese shares some similarities with feta cheese since both are salty and crumbly and use goat’s milk in their production.
Cottage cheese
Even though cottage cheese is runnier than other options on this list, it can actually serve as a solid substitute for feta cheese. Cottage cheese can stand in for feta in terms of texture, but the taste won’t match exactly. To get the flavor closer to feta, you’ll likely need to add some extra salt to your cottage cheese.
Queso fresco
Like cotija cheese, queso fresco is a style of cheese that is popular in Latin American cuisine. Queso fresco comes from cow’s milk or goat’s milk. It is a fabulous addition to many diverse types of dishes for a creamy kick. It is available in various textures, so you’ll want to look for a medium-firm version if you’re using it as a substitute for feta cheese. However, queso fresco can be tricky to find in some grocery stores, so you might prefer to make your own.
With so many tasty alternatives to feta cheese, it shouldn’t be challenging to find one that fits your preferences and budget. With the possible exception of queso fresco and cotija cheese, you shouldn’t have any trouble locating these feta cheese substitutes at your local supermarket.
For more cooking tips and ideas, check out the Tastessence blog.
