If you are looking for substitutes for Cotija cheese, then I’ve got a massive, comprehensive list for you! Today, we’ll take a look at the best alternatives for this unique Mexican cheese. Although some of these options may be a little hard to find or expensive, there’s bound to be one that meets your needs!
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What Is Cotija Cheese?
Before looking at Cotija cheese alternatives, you need to understand what you are replacing. And unlike most “substitutes for” articles, this one is quite complex.
This delicious Mexican cheese is made from cow’s milk and is extremely popular in Mexican, Latin American, and Tex-Mex cuisines. It’s often used in a filling or as a topping for quesadillas, tacos, burritos, and enchiladas (to name a few).
Cotija has a very white color due to the production method. It also has a firm and slightly dry, crumbly texture with a strong milky but mildly salty flavor.
You do also get fresh Cotija, which is very similar to feta cheese. It is obviously a lot softer than the aged version I mentioned above.
The semi-hard Cotija cheese also has very unique melting characteristics, which is why it is used in certain dishes. It will never melt completely but it will soften and create a stretchy, cheesy texture.
Choosing The Best Substitutes
Now, as you can see from the description above, not all cheeses will work as a cotija cheese substitute. And unfortunately, there isn’t any one cheese that makes the “ultimate” alternative. So, how do you choose?
There are only three options on today’s list that make near-perfect substitutes. They include feta cheese, queso fresco, and Anejo cheese.
For all of the other options, you will have to either choose a substitute for flavor or texture. It’s up to what you are making and what you would rather have similar.
The best cotija cheese alternative for texture are Goat’s cheese, cottage cheese, and Ricotta Salata.
The best flavor alternatives are all hard-cheeses including Grana Padano, Parmigiano, Romano, and Pecorino.
That being said, the biggest determining factor for which you will choose is what is available to you and what they cost.
10 Best Substitutes For Cotija Cheese
Let’s take a look at the best substitutes for Cotija cheese. You will see some of the options on my list today are better suited for texture and others for flavor.
At the end of the day, as I’ve mentioned before, you can choose what works for you.
1. Queso Fresco
If you were wondering “Can I use queso fresco instead of cotija?” the answer is yes! It’s hands-down your best option on this list today. But what is it?
This is another Mexican cheese that is extremely underrated outside of Latin American cuisines.
This cheese has a milder salty and milky flavor but is still very rich and creamy. And it has a similar crumbly, semi-soft consistency that fresh Cotija has!
But the best part about using this cheese as a substitute for Cotija cheese is that it doesn’t cost nearly as much!
2. Feta Cheese
Even though I think Anejo cheese works better as an alternative, feta cheese is much easier to find (no matter where you are in the world), and it is most likely more affordable as well.
Feat cheese has various textures. Try to avoid soft, creamy options, like Danish feta. You want to buy the crumblier feta products to replicate the texture of Cotija cheese.
And feta is traditionally salty, which is another reason it’s a fantastic alternative for Cotija. You can even buy flavored options like black pepper feta cheese or herb-infused feta cheese.
3. Anejo Cheese
I must be honest, I have never heard of Anejo cheese until a little while ago, and I’m still not an expert in any way. But it’s basically an aged version of Cotija cheese.
I get it! Many of you may say it’s the same thing! But it really isn’t! It’s like saying 18-month-aged cheddar is the same as 1-month-aged cheddar. It’s just not! They have VERY different textures and flavors, despite sharing characteristics.
So, Anejo is more difficult to find than Cotija and is less commonly produced. It has to be aged for at least one year before it can be sold as such.
Then, you can also buy a smoked version or air-dried version. I loved the smoky one as it creates a more complex flavor profile.
Anejo has similar salty flavors to Cotija but with a nutty and almost buttery undertone. You will likely use a little less of this substitute for Cotija cheese to avoid creating a dominant flavor.
4. Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan is the best alternative for flavor (apart from what I’ve already mentioned above). It is incredibly easy to find, and you get loads of options too! You can even buy vegan parmesan cheese!
Another great thing about this hard cheese is that there are different options at different price points. This makes it accessible to everybody! And you can even buy it pre-sliced or pre-grated!
Other than convenience, parmesan has a slightly salty flavor and crumbly texture. But, unlike Cotija, the crumbs are hard, not semi-soft.
5. Grana Padano
Next up, a very similar cheese to Parmesan, Grana Padano. Now, don’t feel bad if you’ve never heard of this cheese before. While it is quite popular in many parts of the world, it’s just as rare in others. So, this option is really only suitable as a substitute for Cotija cheese if you can easily find it.
This is an aged cheese that is quite salty. Naturally, it also has a very crumbly texture, but like Parmesan, it’s dry.
Grana Padano also has some nutty undertones, similar to that of Anejo. It is a great option, but really only if you can find it.
6. Cottage Cheese
This is a fantastic texture alternative! And it’s also very easy to find at a reasonable price!
Cottage cheese is very different from Cotija. It’s a fresh cheese with a high moisture content. While it is crumbly, it’s a lot wetter and softer than Cotija. Nevertheless, it works wonders! Especially as a topping on baked dishes!
This alternative for Cotija is also quite salty and very milky. But again, it’s the texture that really makes this cheese a good option.
7. Pecorino
This cheese is quite special, which makes it hard to find and often expensive.
It’s one of those products that can only be called by its name if it meets specific requirements. Pecorino Romano is only made in Lazio in Tuscany or Sardinia in Italy. Furthermore, it’s only ever made from sheep’s milk! The cheese is aged for at least 16 months which gives it a hard, crumbly texture and sharp, salty, nutty flavor.
While you may not be too eager to find and use this cheese, it lasts a very long time! I would highly recommend buying a small amount at least once in your life! It definitely makes an excellent substitute for Cotija cheese
8. Semi-Soft Goat Cheese
Also known as goat cheese crumbles, this is a cheese that is firmer than chevin (which has a cream cheese consistency) but softer than aged goat’s cheese products.
You can also make your own by adding a little extra salt to the creamed chevin log. This will extract moisture from the creamy cheese which can be drained off. Then, once your moisture is removed, the cheese gets a more crumbly texture, like cottage cheese.
While I fully get that not everyone likes goat’s cheese, it may just work incredibly well with your dish if you give it a try!
9. Ricotta Salata
This is not the same as the ricotta you know from your local grocery store. Ricotta Salata is specially made in Italy using extremely salty sheep’s milk.
Its consistency is similar to that of cottage cheese, but the flavors are completely different. Ricotta Salata is less sharp and usually much saltier.
So, use this substitute for Cotija cheese in moderation.
10. Red Fox Cheddar
This may not make sense as an alternative at all, but hear me out! Despite its massive difference in color, texture, and even flavor, its melting properties are the same. And that’s exactly why it makes a great substitute for Cotija cheese.
There’s no point in listing the different hard cheeses that can work when none of them are easy to find.
Red fox cheddar (the yellow one in the store) is extremely easy to find, very affordable, shockingly versatile, and can be bought in different sizes as well.
If you really don’t care what the substitute is and simply want to add cheese, this cheddar will work perfectly fine!
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