The 5 Best Substitutes for Queso Blanco

Have you ever tried Queso Blanco? It is a soft white cheese with a very mild flavor.

When served, it typically looks fluffy and light.

Queso Blanco is especially popular in Central America and the Caribbean.

While very popular for many years, Queso Blanco has been gradually falling out of favor as more exciting cheeses have become popular.

However, it still has a large fan base that loves its creamy texture and mild flavor.

There are many reasons you might want to substitute Queso Blanco in your cooking or eating routine.

Perhaps you want to cut back on fat or cholesterol intake? Perhaps you are lactose intolerant? Perhaps you are vegetarian or vegan? Regardless of why you want to find a substitute, here are some great alternatives.

What is Queso Blanco?

Queso Blanco is a versatile, unaged white cheese that originated in Mesoamerica.

Queso Blanco is salty, and it has a firm, rubbery texture that makes it distinct from other cheeses like feta and ricotta.

It tastes great, crumbled over salads and cooked dishes.

Other uses include eating it as a snack or slicing it on tacos.

Queso Blanco melts nicely, so it fills quesadillas, empanadas, and other Latin American dishes.

Queso Blanco can be purchased at many grocery stores, and some Latin American specialty stores carry it.

The 5 Best Substitutes for Queso Blanco

If you want a white cheese with a similar texture and taste to Queso Blanco, try these substitutes:

1 – Feta Cheese

This cheese is usually white, but it can also be red.

It’s made with sheep’s milk or goat’s milk.

This popular cheese originated in Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, and other Balkan countries.

It has a rather sharp taste, making it less creamy than Queso Blanco.

However, this type of cheese is often crumbled, which gives it a nice texture.

Feta cheese is an excellent choice if you are looking for a substitute for Queso Blanco in salads or spreads.

You can choose between regular Feta cheese and reduced-fat, making it saltier.

Because of the saltiness, it may be used sparingly when cooking various dishes.

2 – Halloumi Cheese

Halloumi cheese is made using both goat’s milk and sheep’s milk.

It originates from Cyprus.

However, it can be found in other countries like Britain, France, Australia, and the United States.

Halloumi cheese has a springy texture, perfect for grilling or frying.

This white cheese doesn’t melt in high heat and can substitute for Queso Blanco in various dishes.

You might choose to buy this cheese in blocks or slices.

Halloumi is seasoned with mint, so it has a refreshing, grassy taste, making it an excellent choice when preparing light dishes.

3 – Farmer’s Cheese

It’s also called pot cheese, usually used in breakfast recipes.

Farmer’s cheese has a mild flavor, making it versatile enough to use as an ingredient or filling.

It’s somewhat similar to ricotta because of the texture, but farmer’s cheese tastes less sweet.

Unlike Queso Blanco, Farmer’s cheese is soft.

It isn’t crumbly or firm like Queso Blanco.

When buying this type of cheese, you can choose between whole milk and reduced-fat versions.

Remember that the flavor will vary depending on which one you go with, but it’s usually best to use the regular version because it tastes better.

4 – Monterey Jack Cheese

Monterey Jack cheese is largely produced in the United States.

It originated in Monterey, California, but it’s also popular in other parts like Wisconsin and Texas.

This type of cheese is sold shredded or block.

When buying this substitute for Queso Blanco, you may choose between mild or sharp varieties.

You can also buy flavored versions of this cheese, such as jalapeno-flavored Monterey Jack.

This type of cheese has a mild flavor, but it’s slightly tangy, making it stand out in certain dishes.

It melts nicely, and the texture is smooth but not too creamy.

5 – Ricotta Cheese

Last but not least, ricotta cheese can be used as a substitute for Queso Blanco.

It’s made with sheep’s milk or cow’s milk.

Ricotta is an Italian cheese with a smooth texture that isn’t too firm or crumbly.

This white cheese is often used in lasagna and other pasta dishes.

It’s slightly salty, making it a good choice for Italian recipes.

When cooking, ricotta cheese melts into a nice creamy consistency without being too soupy or dry.

It also has a sweet, mild flavor, so this type of cheese works well as a substitute for Queso Blanco in certain dishes.

Conclusion

Queso Blanco is a white cheese that is popular in Mexican cuisine.

It’s slightly crumbly melts easily, so it works well as an ingredient or filling for various dishes.

This type of cheese is made with whole milk or low-fat milk.

You can choose between white cheeses, such as Feta, Halloumi, Farmer’s Cheese, and Monterey Jack.

Each of these cheeses is slightly different, but they are all good substitutes for Queso Blanco.