Feta cheese is a classic ingredient in Greek and Mediterranean recipes, but it can sometimes be hard to find or too expensive.
Luckily, plenty of substitutes for Feta Cheese will give you the same taste and texture.
Our blog post will discuss the top substitutes for feta cheese, so you can still make your favorite dishes without breaking the bank.
1. Goat Cheese
In many recipes, goat cheese is first on our list of substitutes for Feta Cheese. Its creamy texture and salty flavor make it an ideal replacement. Its flavor profile is similar to feta but without sharpness.
It also has a slightly tangy flavor that helps it stand out from other cheeses. Additionally, goat cheese is lower in fat than feta and can be used to lighten up dishes.
When using goat cheese as Substitutes for Feta Cheese, be sure to crumble it up as small as possible so that its flavor is evenly distributed throughout the dish.
2. Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is also on our list of Substitutes for Feta Cheese due to its mild flavor and creamy texture.
Cottage cheese is made with pasteurized milk and cultured for several hours before being strained and lightly salted.
Its taste is slightly tangy and similar in texture to feta cheese. When used in recipes that call for feta cheese, it can give a creamy consistency to salads, sandwiches, or appetizers. It also makes an excellent topping for pizzas, tacos, or casseroles.
Cottage cheese adds a nice texture and flavor to dishes without overpowering them like feta can. Plus, it is low in fat, making it a healthier choice than other cheese substitutes.
Cottage cheese is also an excellent option for dairy-free Substitutes for Feta Cheese. It is made with pasteurized milk and free of animal products.
It can be blended with herbs, spices, and other seasonings for those wanting extra flavor. This makes it a great option for vegan and vegetarian dishes and those lactose intolerant.
With its mild flavor and easy preparation, cottage cheese makes a great alternative to feta cheese.
3. Queso Fresco
Queso Fresco is a Mexican cheese similar to feta in texture but milder in flavor. It has a slightly crumbly texture and a delicate, salty taste.
It can be used in salads, casseroles, soups, and topping for dishes like tacos or burritos. It also makes a great addition to quesadillas and enchiladas.
Queso fresco is made with pasteurized cow’s milk and doesn’t require aging, so it’s easy to find in most grocery stores.
It is also relatively low in fat and calories, making it a healthier option than feta. It also stands up better to heat, so it can be used in baking and cooking.
4. Blue Cheese
Blue cheese is a perfect substitute for feta cheese, as it has a similar salty and tangy taste. It’s crumbly than feta cheese, which makes it an excellent topping for salads, pizzas, and even pasta.
Blue cheese also adds a distinct flavor to any dish, making it a great choice for those looking for something more interesting than feta.
The bold flavor of blue cheese pairs well with many different ingredients, such as pears, walnuts, and apples.
Try adding a few chunks of blue cheese to your favorite recipes for the best results. Alternatively, you can use crumbled blue cheese as Substitutes for Feta Cheese in salads or other dishes that call for a crumbly texture.
Blue cheese can be used in place of feta in many recipes without affecting the dish’s overall taste.
For example, a classic Greek salad can be made with blue cheese instead of feta for a creamy, savory twist.
Other dishes that work well with blue cheese include macaroni and cheese, roasted vegetables, and mashed potatoes.
The key to successfully substituting blue cheese for feta is experimenting with different amounts of each to get the desired flavor.
With a little experimentation, you can create delicious dishes that are sure to impress!
5. Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is a great substitute for feta cheese, especially in cold dishes. The texture of cream cheese is much softer and creamier than feta, so it’s excellent for making creamy sauces and dips.
Cream cheese has a mild flavor that won’t overpower the dish while still adding richness and depth.
Cream cheese can also be used as Substitutes for Feta Cheese in salads and casseroles, as it pairs well with sweet and savory ingredients.
To get the same taste and texture of feta cheese, add some lemon juice and herbs to your cream cheese before using it as a replacement.
When substituting cream cheese for feta cheese, it’s important to remember that cream cheese contains more fat and fewer nutrients than feta.
This means that dishes containing cream cheese will have a higher calorie count, so it’s best to use it sparingly or to opt for a lower-fat version.
If you want to reduce calories, try substituting plain Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese in your recipes. It will provide the same creamy texture and richness but with fewer calories.
6. Cotija Cheese
Cotija cheese is a cow milk-based Mexican cheese. It’s soft and white, with a tangy flavor comparable to feta.
However, the flavor of cotija cheese changes as it ages, so if you want to use it as Substitutes for Feta Cheese, choose a young cotija cheese, as it becomes more akin to parmesan as it ages. Cotija is used in Mexican cooking, like feta in Greek cooking.
It is sprinkled on top of tacos and enchiladas and is also used in omelets. Cotija can be used as one of the excellent substitutes for Feta Cheese.
7. Cashew Cheese
It might be tough to locate a cheese substitute if you are vegan or dairy-free. Most dairy-free cheeses are difficult to melt and have a poor texture. That is why I enjoy using cashew cheese.
Cashew cheese is, of course, manufactured from cashews and is simple to prepare at home if you have the appropriate materials and equipment.
It’s a beautiful substitute for feta cheese because it’s creamy and tangy without adding nutritional yeast.
However, it is not the same as feta cheese. It won’t crumble or have the same mouthfeel as feta cheese, but you can regulate the consistency a little to make it less buttery.
Cashew cheese can be used as excellent Substitutes for Feta Cheese in hot recipes. It is the ideal vegan feta cheese. If you want to use another nut, almond cheese is a fantastic option.
8. Cheddar Cheese
Cheddar cheese is a famous cheese that people all around the world like. It is manufactured from cow milk and comes in various flavors, including sharp, aged, mild, and white.
Because of its versatility, cheddar cheese is an excellent substitute for Feta Cheese.
If you substitute feta, you may be doing so because you are preparing cuisine for someone who does not like feta.
And if they don’t like the taste of feta, it’s a perfect bet that they’ll prefer the flavor of cheddar.
And, because there are so many varieties of cheddar, you may find an excellent balance between something universally enjoyed while still having a distinct flavor.
Remember that cheddar cheese has an entirely different texture than feta, so choose your recipes carefully.
9. Ricotta cheese
Ricotta cheese is next on our list of Substitutes for Feta Cheese. It is an Italian cheese from various kinds of milk, including sheep, cows, goats, and even water buffalo.
Ricotta has a sweet flavor and a creamy texture, and it is very easy to make at home.
Ricotta is delicious with pasta and is one of the cheeses used in a traditional lasagna recipe. It can be spread on bread or melted. It can also be used to garnish various foods.
Ricotta is a beautiful substitute for Feta Cheese because they are both from the same general region, and their recipes overlap.
If you prefer a sweeter cheese to a tart one, ricotta is a good option for feta.
10. Halloumi cheese
Another Greek cheese that can be used as Substitutes for Feta Cheese is halloumi. But halloumi is a little different.
It has a salty flavor and is a little tougher. Halloumi, like feta, maybe pan-fried or grilled and retain its shape.
Halloumi isn’t designed to crumble like feta; therefore, it’s not the best feta cheese substitute for salads or topping hot foods.
However, if you want to slice it up or grill it, it makes an excellent substitution for feta cheese.
11. Panela cheese
Panela cheese, often known as queso panela, is another Mexican cheese. It’s white, manufactured from cow’s milk, and has a similar texture to halloumi.
Panela cheese can be sliced or grilled and retains its shape nicely. Panela cheese, like halloumi, is a fantastic feta substitute if you want it grilled.
It has a fresh flavor that blends well with other flavors, making it simple to use in any recipe.
It’s a touch sour on its own, but because of its absorbent properties, it’s straightforward to consume and a terrific feta cheese substitute.
12. Roquefort cheese
Roquefort cheese is a type of blue cheese from France. It features the blue veins found in regular blue cheeses and a tart flavor.
Roquefort cheese is one of the few that has a stringent AOC, which means it can only be called that if it is created in a specific region of the world.
Roquefort cheese can be prepared in the same way as any other blue cheese. It goes well with crackers, almonds, and other toppings like honey and jam on a cheeseboard.
It’s also fantastic in salads and on steaks. It crumbles well and is one of the greatest feta cheese replacements due to its acidic flavor.
13. Gorgonzola cheese,
There are several forms of gorgonzola cheese, the most popular of which is gorgonzola dolce.
This cheese is prepared from cow’s milk and, due to its blue veins, resembles regular blue cheese.
Its flavor isn’t as strong as a traditional blue, and it’s a little acidic, making it a decent substitute for feta cheese.
This variety is crumbly, but it can also melt. It pairs well with pasta and produces an excellent cheese sauce. It’s also great on top of steaks.
14. Gorgonzola piccante
Lastly, on our list of substitutes for Feta Cheese Piccante is gorgonzola, another variety of gorgonzola.
Piccante, like the aforementioned variety, is created from cow’s milk, has blue veins, and is native to Italy.
This gorgonzola, on the other hand, is highly pungent and has a very powerful flavor.
Piccante has a crumbly texture and can be substituted for Feta Cheese when you desire those crumbles.
It’s not the best feta substitution because not everyone enjoys such a strong flavor, but for those who like it, it’s a delicious dish.
Conclusion
Are you looking for a way to switch up your favorite dishes that call for feta cheese?
Whether you’re looking for a vegan, dairy-free, or more cost-effective option, there are plenty of substitutes for feta cheese that can bring the same flavor and texture to your recipes.
Here, we have explored the top substitutes for Feta Cheese and discussed the best ways to use each. Enjoy!!
