9 Best Queso Fresco Substitutes You Can Use

Are you making some Mexican cuisine for dinner? Add some Queso Fresco over it to make it yummier! Queso Fresco in Spanish means nothing but white cheese. Today let us explore some queso Fresco substitutes.

We all love having some Queso Fresco over a loaf of bread. A fridge without a half-used pack of white cheese isn’t something common. But what if you run out of Queso fresco? Well, simple, use a queso fresco substitute.

Thinking about what else could replace queso fresco in a dish? Feta cheese, ricotta Salata, Queso Blanco, paneer, and Monetary Jack are some of the best queso fresco substitutes.

Does Queso Fresco sound too fancy? If you are new to this cheese, let us take a closer look at it to understand it better. Read the next section to know all about Queso Fresco.

Quick Peek: Queso Fresco

This section has all the information on Queso Fresco. You will know the Queso Fresco, its flavor and texture profile, uses, and nutritional benefits.

What Is Queso Fresco?

Queso Fresco is a fresh cheese made from either cow’s milk or a mix of cow’s and goat’s milk. It is white and is usually used as a topping in different dishes.

Describing Queso Fresco: Flavor And Texture

Queso Fresco has an extremely mild flavor. It is an extremely fresh taste with a mild tangy flavor. Its light flavor and absence of saltiness make it a perfect addition to almost all dishes.

When it comes to texture, it has a crumbly nature. It is a soft cheese, but it has a high melting point compared to mozzarella and cheddar cheese. It is also very creamy and goes very well with spicy dishes. 

Uses Of Queso Fresco

Queso Fresco has multiple uses. Its crumbly nature makes it an ideal cheese for grating. Also, it has a high melting point; therefore, if you are someone who loves cheese as it is on your food, choose queso Fresco.

It is also a great addition to pasta and salad bowls. Since it has an extremely mild flavor and less salty taste, it is great for eating as it is. It can be used as a filling in cheese sandwiches and burritos.

Queso Fresco On The Health Radar | Looking Through The Wellness Telescope

Queso Fresco is not just tasty but is also a healthy cheese variant. However, we must keep in mind that it is still cheese and has a high-calorie value. However, mindful eating of queso fresco will only be beneficial.

Just like all other cheese varieties, Queso Fresco also has a high amount of calcium. It is highly beneficial for the overall tooth health and bone development of the body.

Queso Fresco also has vitamins like vitamins A and D. Since it is made from fresh milk, it is also a source of omega-3 fatty acids. Queso Fresco is also said to improve the digestive system’s absorption of minerals and protein. 

Why Use A Substitute For Queso Fresco?

By now, I’m sure you’ve considered it at least once. While there are numerous reasons to use Queso Fresco, there are also a few reasons to use a substitute.

To begin with, Queso Fresco has a little milder flavor than other cheese varieties. Although the flavor difference isn’t significant, Queso Fresco may have a flavor that is too faint for certain people’s tastes. In that scenario, a sharper-tasting replacement can be utilized.

 Furthermore, if you’re merely out of Queso Fresco, why go out and get some when you can easily make do with a substitute? This will undoubtedly save you a significant amount of time and effort.

I believe that’s all there is to know about Queso Fresco. Now, let me quickly get to the heart of this article: the finest alternatives. So, let’s find the greatest Queso Fresco substitutes!

Other Food Substitutes You Can Try

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• Best Havarti Cheese Substitutes You Can Use
• Best Ricotta Cheese Substitutes In Lasagna
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• Best Neufchatel Cheese Substitutes That Taste The Same
• Best Farmer’s Cheese Substitutes That Taste The Same

Best Queso Fresco Substitutes

This section has a list of all the best Queso Fresco substitutes. Moreover, you will also get to know how to use each substitute in place of Queso Fresco. So, let’s get started!

1. Feta Cheese

Feta cheese has a mild taste and crumbly texture. It also has a creamy white texture. Thus, its flavor profile is very similar to Queso Fresco; hence, it can be used as a Queso Fresco Substitute.

Feta cheese is also one of the most available Queso Fresco Substitutes. However, feta cheese has a bold taste than that of Queso Fresco. Brined and aged feta cheese will have a very tangy flavor.

Therefore when used as a Queso Fresco, you have to choose either younger feta cheese or, if using aged, make sure to rinse it in water to remove the intense tangy flavor. Its soft and creamy texture can be replaced in almost all dishes that call for Queso Fresco.

2. Ricotta Salata

Ricotta salata is the aged version of ricotta cheese. It has a rich dairy flavor. It has a little tanginess with a salty undertone. Thus it can be used as a Queso Fresco Substitute.

Like Queso Fresco, Ricotta Salata has a white color and crumbly texture, making it an ideal choice to grate over any dish. It can also be added to plates of pasta or soups.

However, when it gets more aged, it will have a light yellow color, but it also loses its saltiness when it gets aged. It is great for the Mediterranean as well as Mexican cooking.

3. Queso Blanco

Queso Blanco is another Mexican cheese and is often confused with Queso Fresco. It has a mild flavor without much tanginess or saltiness. Therefore, it is one of the ideal Queso Fresco substitutes.

Queso Blanco is made from cow’s milk and has a dry, crumbly texture. It has a slightly sour taste when compared to Queso Fresco. However, just like Queso Fresco, it will not melt easily and can be used as a Queso Fresco substitute.

It is a great Queso Fresco alternative for grilled and meat items. It is also great for making dip for chips and nachos. Moreover, it can be used for any recipe for Queso Fresco.

4. Paneer

Paneer is a widely used cheese variety in India. This cheese has a soft texture with a mild, milky sweet flavor. It has a crumbly texture similar to Queso Fresco and can be used as a Queso Fresco Substitute.

Just like Queso Fresco, paneer won’t melt easily and retains its shape in cooking. Therefore, you can either slice it or crumble it over any dish. Hence it can be used in various dishes that call for Queso Fresco.

Paneer is a fresh cheese and doesn’t have any saltiness of tanginess to it. Hence they are a great Queso Fresco substitute in tacos or fajitas. Or you can just make a curry using it as a main ingredient.

Paneer is a great Queso Fresco substitute in dishes with a lot of spiciness. With its milky flavor, it just balances the heat perfectly. I tossed in oil; it will have a crunchy outer covering and juicy inside texture.

Thus it is perfect on salads, curries, and even as a pizza topping.

5. Monetary Cheese

Monetary cheese is a form of aged cheese and has a semi-soft texture. It has a creamy texture and buttery flavor and can be used as a Queso Fresco Substitute.

However, monetary cheese has a different color to it. It is yellow in color and intensifies its yellow color as it gets old. It is also an easily available Queso Fresco substitute.

Since it has a more buttery texture, it can either be shredded over dishes or can be used as a creamy dip. However, it has a more intense creamy flavor, and you might need to use them in less quantity when used as a Queso Fresco substitute.

6. Farmers Cheese

Framers cheese is another name for aged paneer. It is drier in texture and has a milky and tangy flavor similar to that of Queso Fresco. Hence it can be used as a Queso Fresco substitute.

Just like Queso Fresco, Framers cheese has a very crumbly nature. It is very low in lactose content and is a great option for lactose-intolerant people.

Its milky and tangy flavor goes very well with sweet, sour, and meat dishes. However, since its flavor is milder than Queso, Fresco uses more when used as a substitute for Queso Fresco.

7. Pot Cheese

Pot cheese is another variation of cottage cheese. It is soft and crumbly. Its texture is similar to Queso Fresco and, therefore, can be regarded as a Queso Fresco substitute.

Unlike cottage cheese, it is drier and thicker. It has a sweet milky taste and goes very well with sweet and savory dishes. One can use pot cheese as a Queso Fresco substitute in pie, cakes, or as a topping over soups.

8. Cotija Cheese

Cotija cheese is another Mexican cheese. It has a firm and crumbly texture and can be used as a Queso Fresco substitute in different cuisines.

Cotija cheese comes in fresh and aged forms. While the fresh one is more soft and crumbly in nature, aged cotija cheese is more firm and can be sliced. So a fresh cotija cheese is preferable as a Queso Fresco substitute.

Cotija cheese also doesn’t melt easily. Therefore it can be used as a filling in rolls or can be grated over chicken pie.

 However, cotija cheese has a more salty taste when compared to Queso Fresco. Therefore when used as a substitute, one needs to use less salt in the recipe.

9. Oaxaca

Oaxaca is another Mexican cheese made from cow’s milk. It is white in color and looks so much like Queso Fresco. Therefore, many dishes can be used as a Queso Fresco substitute.

Oaxaca has a soft texture and extremely buttery flavor. It can be compared to mozzarella due to its melting and stretchy nature. Oaxaca can be a good Queso Fresco substitute in pizza, pastas or lasagna. 

A Short Recap Of Best Queso Fresco Substitutes

That was an extensive read on Queso Fresco and their substitutes. The following points will make things easy for you to remember about Queso Fresco and its substitutes:

Best Queso Fresco Substitutes In Terms Of Flavor and Texture-

1. Feta Cheese
2. Queso Blanco
3. Young Cotija cheese

Best Queso Fresco Substitutes That Are Easily Available

1. Monetary Cheese
2. Feta Cheese

Best Queso Fresco Substitutes Should Be Least Considered-

1. Paneer

How To Use Queso Fresco Substitutes In A Recipe

Queso Fresco Substitutes

 A fridge without a half-used pack of white cheese isn't something common.  But what if you run out of Queso fresco? Well, simple, use queso fresco substitutes. Fetta cheese, ricotta salata, queso blanco, paneer and monetary jack are some of the best queso fresco substitutes.

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Ingredients

  

• Feta Cheese
• Ricotta Salata
• Queso Blanco
• Paneer
• Monetary Cheese
• Farmer's Cheese
• Pot Cheese
• Cotija Cheese
• Oaxaca

Instructions

 

• Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
• Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
• Use the substitute in the required amount and proceed to make the dish according to the recipe.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Conclusion

As we have reached the end of this article, I hope that you find the best substitute that you were looking for. Queso Fresco is an amazing cheese variant that can be used in multiple cuisines.

Even though it is a versatile cheese, there are many substitutes you can try if you are out of it. Choose the one you have and start cooking!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)