As a cheese lover, I always try and look for new twists in my recipes. I’ve worked with goat cheese before, but sometimes I use alternatives if I don’t get the flavors I like. If you’re looking for a substitute for goat cheese, this post is for you!
Also known as chèvre, goat cheese comes in many different forms and has been around for thousands of years. Some people, however, are not a fan of its smell, taste, texture, and even the price, so when they make recipes that call for it, they look for other items to use.
Here are some great substitutes for Goat Cheese that will give you the same <or sometimes, even better> results. Below, I’ll provide 10 items that you can work with. Let’s talk cheese!
Best Substitute For Goat Cheese
The Mascarpone
Mascarpone is a type of soft cheese that has a creamy texture, so you can easily substitute it for goat cheese.
Take note, using this could mean that you will not get the acidic and sharp flavor of goat cheese, so you might need to do some adjusting. Adding some yogurt to the mix will give you that delicious tanginess you need.
Originating in Italy, this one’s excellent for both salty and sweet dishes <it’s the cheese used in tiramisu>. I personally love putting it on my morning toast, drizzled with some honey, and eaten with fruit!
The Healthy Feta
Made from sheep’s milk, feta cheese is a common ingredient in my salads. It’s salty, crumbly, and creamy all at the same time. I like this better than goat cheese because of the smell <I sometimes honestly can’t stand the smell of most goat cheeses>.
Try this one if you want a more salty kick to your dishes, and if you’re looking for a type of cheese that’s on the healthier side of the spectrum—feta is actually said to be one of the healthiest cheeses out there!
In addition, take note that feta could sometimes be a combination of goat and sheep’s milk, so it’s best that you check the label before purchasing, just to be sure.
The Mild and Smooth Cream Cheese
This one may not provide the texture that goat cheese will give you, but they do have similar flavors. Cream cheese is excellent for dessert, so you can actually play around with this when you’re working on something sweet like cheesecakes.
Cream cheese has a similar taste to goat cheese, that’s why it’s usually considered by many as a substitute. This one’s denser <although there are whipped varieties>, so take it easy when you’re adding it to your recipes!
It’s also great with bread-like crackers, toast, and bagels, and can easily be found in any supermarket.
The Cream Cheese and Feta Combo
These are in an entirely different category altogether because you’ll need to do some mixing yourself. I tried combining these two, and the results were wonderful!
A combination of cream cheese and feta takes a bit more work, but the results—just the right level of saltiness and amazing texture—are worth it. You can also add some herbs and spices to make it more flavorful, and whip them together to have a lighter texture.
Overall, the lightness of feta and creaminess of cream cheese come together to form more sophisticated layers of flavors. This one’s a sure crowd-pleaser!
The Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta cheese is another popular substitute for goat cheese. Ricotta, which means “recooked,” has a similar texture, and airiness, and has some delicious sweet notes to it.
This one is extremely versatile and is excellent in both sweet <like cheesecake, fruits, pies> and savory <such as pizza, toast, pasta> recipes, so you surely won’t run out of great ideas.
Ricotta is made with either sheep’s milk or cow’s milk, so it’s up to you which flavor you prefer. Occasionally, it is also made with goat’s milk so, once again—check the label if you’re not sure.
N.B. You may be looking for the best electric knife sharpener.
The Cottage Cheese
This one’s fresh cheese curd and has a similar texture to goat cheese, so it’s an excellent substitute. Cottage cheese does not have the same acidity level <this is milder> and has some sweetness to it, but the textures are very similar. It’s easy to make, too!
This one’s for you if you’re on a diet, into sports, or have an active lifestyle, as it’s high in protein and low in fat. Cottage cheese is going to help you stay full for longer, and lets you take in nutrients while you’re at it.
Delicious and healthy—what more can you ask for? I personally like having my homemade cottage cheese to my eggs to double the protein. It’s absolutely, simply delicious, too!
The Tofu / Vegan Goat Cheese
If you’re vegan, or simply want to do a healthier version of the dish that calls for goat cheese, try using tofu. This is a common vegan ingredient that can also replace other cheeses like ricotta and feta.
Tofu may have lacked dairy-like taste, but the crumbly texture is definitely spot on. There is such a thing as tofu chèvre, and it’s a wonderful addition to salads.
The Crumbly Paneer
Paneer is a traditional South Indian cheese commonly used in countries like India, Pakistan, and Nepal. Like goat cheese, this is crumbly and acidic, so it’s a great substitute for goat cheese.
If you plan to make this yourself <most supermarkets, especially the organic ones, usually have this>, it may take a little bit more work compared to most store-bought substitutes I’ve provided so far, but it’s definitely worth trying!
Take note that this is not limited to South Asian dishes. Get creative and put them in other recipes as well!
The Queso Fresco
The queso fresco is also known as Queso Blanco or fresh cheese. This is another ingredient that will let you add a twist to recipes that call for goat cheese.
Like goat cheese, this one’s mild, and has a salty kick to it. This one’s perfect if you’re making salads or finding lighter complements to heavy flavors like enchiladas and burritos. The best part? It’s extremely easy to make!
Unlike older and sharper cheeses, queso fresco will not hold for very long, especially if you make it at home. If you’re using the store-bought version, however, the shelf life could be longer because of some preservatives and the way it is tightly packaged.
The Hispanic-Style Cotija
This is another Mexican cheese that’s an excellent substitute for goat cheese. Cotija is usually used in dishes such as burritos and tacos. You can easily find this in supermarkets—they’re either crumbled or packed in round blocks.
Take note that this can be a bit saltier than goat cheese, so make sure you taste your dish as you go along. This has also been called the Mexican parmesan, you can basically sprinkle this on enchiladas, or tostadas.
N.B. You may also search for Best Commercial Meat Grinders.
Good Luck!
There you have it! Did you enjoy reading? I hope you learned a thing or two about goat cheese substitutions! I sure had a blast writing about each of them—I actually have more knowledge on it now after trying out new recipes myself!
The great thing about cooking with cheese is that you’ll have so many options to choose from in case you want to change things up a bit. So don’t be afraid to experiment!
Whether you don’t like the taste or texture of goat cheese, or simply looking to add new twists to recipes, these substitutes will hopefully inspire you!
If you have comments or recipes to share, please feel free to write them in the comments below. Suggestions will also be greatly appreciated!
If you like it reading please check the other article of Cookingispassio. Happy cooking!
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