Feta cheese is a Greek cheese that is often offered in tiny blocks with a crumbly feel. This sort of cheese is created from goat and sheep milk. In places of Greece where they are reared, they graze native grass. The habitat in which these goats and lambs are bred is what gives feta cheese its distinct taste.
The taste of this cheese is acidic and moderately salty. This kind of cheese goes well with salads, omelets, pastries, and even as a garnish for meat and vegetable meals. Aside from being a versatile form of cheese, Feta is also regarded for being a healthier option than other cheeses derived from cow milk.
Contents
- Feta Cheese Health Benefits
- Feta Cheese Substitutes to Die For
- Final Verdict
- FAQs
- What is the Spanish cheese like feta?
- What cheese is better than feta?
- What is a French alternative to feta?
- What is a milder feta alternative?
- What Mexican cheese is closest to feta?
- What Mexican cheese tastes like feta?
- Is there alternative to feta cheese?
- What is healthier than feta?
- Is there a healthy feta cheese?
- What Greek cheese isn’t feta?
Feta Cheese Health Benefits
Some individuals are reluctant to include the magic of cheese into their dishes because they are concerned about the calories it contains. However, after you learn about the nutritional advantages of Feta Cheese, you’ll want to include it into your recipes!
- Feta has less fat than other cheeses. If you like using cheddar and parmesan cheese, consider replacing it with feta, which contains just 21 grams of fat per 100 grams. This is much less than the fat content of cheddar and parmesan, which is 33 and 29 grams, respectively.
- Feta cheese is also simple to digest and less allergenic, making it an excellent choice for individuals who are sensitive to dairy products.
- It’s also high in protein, which is beneficial for your muscles.
- Feta is also high in vitamins and probiotics!
Feta Cheese Substitutes to Die For
The taste of feta cheese may give your meal a distinct flavor. If you don’t have feta cheese on hand, you may try these substitutions, which may also improve the flavor of your food.
Queso Fresco
Queso Fresco is the simplest cheese to get in Mexico. This is a great alternative since it has a crumbly texture and a mild taste that won’t overpower the other components in your dish.
Queso Fresco is created from raw milk, thus the name “fresh cheese.” If you intend on purchasing this kind of cheese in another country, keep in mind that the taste may vary since it is prepared differently in each country. It is also critical to understand that Queso fresco is finest when used fresh. You may also store it in the refrigerator to use in future dishes.
Because of its crumbly texture, it’s ideal for topping meals and as a filler for burritos and quesadillas.
Ricotta
Ricotta is another cheese with a similar texture. Because of its resemblance to feta cheese, it is used in a variety of dishes where feta cheese is also an ingredient. While the textures of these two ingredients are similar, ricotta has a sweeter taste. It is served with chocolate shavings and cinnamon in Italy.
Ricotta is a popular cheese that is also used in many Italian pasta sauces, so it may be simpler to locate than Feta. It is available in the majority of supermarkets around the nation. It’s also low in carbohydrates, so if you’re searching for a low-carb cheese, this is a fantastic choice. Bodybuilders and athletes, in fact, like this sort of cheese due to its high whey protein content. This protein is ideal for those looking to bulk up their muscles.
Halloumi
Halloumi is a kind of cheese that originated in Cyprus. It has a mild taste and a semi-firm texture, making it an excellent addition to practically any dish that calls for feta cheese. Locals in Cyprus nickname halloumi “squeaky cheese” because of the squeaky sound it makes when you bite into it.
This cheese is a cross between goat and cow cheese. The texture is similar to that of Mozzarella. If you’re searching for a gentler feta alternative than feta cheese, this is a perfect option. Although halloumi and feta cheese have similar flavors, they do not have the same crumbly texture. If you wish to use it as an ingredient, instead of crumbling it, cut it into little pieces.
Halloumi is available in most grocery shops and even online. In terms of health advantages, Halloumi is high in calcium. However, bear in mind that it has a high salt content, which is not ideal for persons with high blood pressure.
Tofu
Tofu is not a novel ingredient, particularly in Asian cuisines. It’s a popular alternative for many types of cheese, particularly among health-conscious people, since it’s composed of soya, which means it lacks the fat content of dairy products.
Tofu is sold in blocks because it is created by curdling fresh soya and chilling it to give it rigidity. Thai and Chinese meals often use tofu that has been cooked to have a variety of textures. This is another flexible ingredient since it may be served crispy or in its softest state.
For vegetarians, this is an excellent feta cheese replacement. You may purchase this ready-made at certain Asian supermarkets, but keep in mind that tofu does not have the same flavor as cheese, so you may want to make your own tofu recipe so you can modify the flavor to your liking.
Goat Cheese
If you didn’t previously know, feta cheese contains 30% goat milk. This is why goat cheese is an excellent replacement for feta cheese. There are many forms of goat cheese, generally known as chvre. Brie and old cheddar are two of the most popular types of goat cheese. There are several advantages to eating goat cheese, but they are dependent on the process used to make it.
The texture of goat cheese, on the other hand, is similar to that of cream cheese. It’s ideal for when you need an ingredient that’s easy to distribute. It’s soft and flavorful, making it ideal for savory dishes as well as a variety of sweets.
Meanwhile, aged goat cheese has a gritty texture and may be crumbled and used as a decoration for your meals, similar to feta cheese.
Cotija Cheese
Sometimes the mild flavor of feta cheese is insufficient to complement a dish or satisfy your taste buds. If you find yourself in this circumstance, you should try Cotija cheese. This is a Mexican cheese with a taste comparable to parmesan. Although it has a stronger taste, the texture is similar to that of feta.
Cotija is manufactured from cow’s milk and does not melt. So, if your meal calls for melting the cheese to get that gooey consistency, this may not be the ideal option. Cotija cheese may be used in a variety of foods, including casseroles, tostadas, tacos, soups, and salads. Cotija was given the nickname “Parmesan of Mexico” because to its similarity to parmesan. You may simply get it at your local Latin shop.
Gorgonzola
This kind of cheese is made in the Italian region of Gorgonzola. It’s a sort of blue cheese with a crumbly texture similar to feta cheese. Gorgonzola has a milder taste than other forms of blue cheese. Fresh Gorgonzola is delicate and creamy, but as it matures, the taste intensifies and imparts a pungent flavor to recipes.
Gorgonzola’s marbled appearance is a terrific complement to any cheese board, and it pairs nicely with fruits like grapes. However, be cautious when using this cheese as a feta alternative since it has a stronger taste. As a result, you should use less of the alternative than the suggested quantity of feta cheese in the recipe. You may also store Gorgonzola in the fridge if you want to use it in future dishes, although it is best served at room temperature.
Mozzarella Cheese
If you dislike the crumbly texture of feta, substitute Mozzarella. This cheese has a soft and gooey texture that both children and adults like. The flavor is light and salty, similar to the taste of feta. Mozzarella cheese is often used in pizzas and lasagnas. It’s a crowd pleaser since it makes your cuisine more interesting.
The original mozzarella is prepared from water buffalo milk. However, the majority of mozzarellas sold in supermarkets nowadays are manufactured from cow’s milk. When storing mozzarella, keep it in the refrigerator since it contains a lot of moisture and has a limited shelf life. Aside from pizza, this gooey pleasure may be found in chicken and meat dishes. Your monotonous salads may benefit from the delectable taste of mozzarella as well.
Cheddar Cheese
When replacing feta for cheddar cheese, be sure to select the young and white kind since it has the same taste as feta. You may also use yellow cheddar cheese, but the hue is too different from the original component. If the color of yellow cheddar isn’t an issue for you, you may use it in your recipes to make them even more distinctive.
Cheddar cheese originated in England, specifically in the hamlet of Cheddar. This king of cheese is made from cow milk and comes in a variety of tastes and hues. There are smooth and creamy Canadian cheddars, but there are also sharp cheddar cheeses.
Panela Cheese
Panela cheese is also an excellent feta replacement. This is a mild Mexican cheese that tastes similar to feta cheese. Panela, on the other hand, has a rubbery and chewy texture that is akin to halloumi cheese. If you’re fortunate and have a lot of patience, you may be able to find crumbly and salty Panela. This is the sort you want to use as a feta cheese alternative. On the other hand, if you don’t care about the texture and simply want a moderate taste, you may still use the rubbery variety of panela cheese to experiment with your recipes.
Roquefort
Blue cheese is your weakness? Another kind of blue cheese that may be used in place of feta is Roquefort. It’s a popular variety of blue cheese, so you shouldn’t have too much problem finding it. It is often prepared from sheep’s milk and has a sour taste that you may like. You’d also like the crumbly texture, which is akin to feta cheese. You may include it into your dish in the same way that you would feta cheese. Keep in mind that not everyone like the flavor of blue cheese, so only offer this to people who do not dislike the strong flavor of blue cheese.
Final Verdict
Feta cheese adds a distinct taste to your dishes. However, there are several more varieties of cheeses to experiment with in the kitchen. Knowing these feta cheese substitutions can come in helpful not just when you can’t locate feta cheese in your region, but also when you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to travel to the grocery store. It’s also a lot of fun to experiment with different cheese tastes and varieties.
FAQs
What is the Spanish cheese like feta?
Cotija cheese is named after the town of Cotija in the Mexican state of Michoacán. This hard, crumbly Mexican cheese is mostly prepared from cow’s milk. When young, it is white, fresh, and salty, resembling feta cheese greatly.
What cheese is better than feta?
Ricotta is a good alternative for feta cheese, however there are several key differences: -Ricotta contains more moisture than feta, as well as less salt and a little sweeter taste.
What is a French alternative to feta?
Roquefort
We have a feeling the French will be upset about this deal. Roquefort, on the other hand, has a similar taste to feta and is derived from sheep’s milk. It likewise has a sour flavor, a similar odor, but stronger than the Greek version, and a crumbly texture.
What is a milder feta alternative?
5 Mild, Crumbly Feta Cheese Substitutes
Ricotta is the greatest feta cheese alternative. The crumbly texture is comparable to feta, but the flavor is much less salty.
Halloumi cheese, sliced fresh.
Queso fresco, often known as queso blanco, is a kind of fresh cheese. CC by Geoff, through Wikipedia.
Crackers with fresh goat cheese (or chèvre).
What Mexican cheese is closest to feta?
The first is Queso Fresco, a popular Mexican cheese that is also one of my personal favorites. Queso Fresco means “fresh cheese.” It’s a fresh, crumbly, white Mexican cheese that’s comparable to feta.
What Mexican cheese tastes like feta?
COTIJA is yet another Mexican cheese all-star. It’s a hard cow’s milk white cheese from the Michoacán municipality of Cotija. It’s crumbly, salty, and fresh, and it’s often likened to feta cheese.
Is there alternative to feta cheese?
Cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, and goat cheese are some alternatives to feta cheese in salads. The acidic and salty taste of crumbled goat cheese is comparable. Another tasty alternative is crumbled blue cheese.
What is healthier than feta?
Cottage cheese is the winner when it comes to losing weight. It contains half the calories and one-quarter the fat of feta. Despite being the leaner option, it provides almost as much protein as feta and one-quarter the salt.
Is there a healthy feta cheese?
The feta cheese is prepared from a combination of goat and sheep milk. It is a good source of calcium and helps with bone health, weight reduction, and gastrointestinal health. Because it is aged in salt brine, those with high blood pressure should consume it in moderation.
What Greek cheese isn’t feta?
Alternatively, cream may be added. Manouri is a fresh, semi-soft white cheese that is creamier and less salty than Feta and may be eaten in salads or as a dessert with honey and dried fruit.Manouri is a white, soft whey cheese made from sheep’s or goat’s milk whey or mixes thereof, to which whole sheep’s or goat’s milk and salt are added.