Here are 19 easy ways to substitute for cotija cheese, including vegan and dairy-free options and a recipe to make your own!
Cotija cheese (AKA the parmesan of Mexico) is a Mexican, dry grated cheese.
It’s made from cow’s milk and can be compared to the taste of feta and traditional parmesan.
It’s name comes from a city in Mexico and it’s incredibly popular in Mexican cuisine and Tex Mex recipes in the US.
You’ve probably enjoyed it on street corn, sprinkled over refried beans and dotted over your favorite tacos.
It’s also good for you because it’s filled with protein and calcium.
If you can’t find cotija cheese in your grocery store (or don’t have any on hand when you need it) there are plenty of easy ways to substitute for cotija cheese in a pinch.
Below are the best Cotija replacement ingredients and how to use them!
Common Cotija Cheese Substitutes
1. Pecorino Romano
Pecorino is an Italian cheese that’s traditionally made with sheep’s milk. It’s salty, a little funky and tangy, and is similar to cotija.
It’s a hard cheese that can be crumbled and grated and shares a similar appearance.
This yummy cheese is a great substitute to use for any recipe that calls for cotija cheese.
Use as a 1 to 1 substitute.
2. Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is moister and softer than cotija cheese. It also has a much milder and sweet flavor. However, this cheese can make a good substitute for those looking to cut calories.
Strain your cottage cheese to remove excess moisture and use it as a 1 to 1 substitute.
3. Taleggio
This cotija substitute works well for warm and gooey dishes where the cheese is melted and stringy.
It’s an aged and fermented, salty Italian cheese with a softer texture than cotija and a slightly red color.
It has a similar flavor profile, though, which makes it a suitable substitute for quesadillas, refried beans, and other baked or gooey cheese preparations.
Use as a 1 to 1 substitute.
4. Añejo Cheese
Anejo means old or aged in Spanish. Not surprisingly, this cheese goes through a maturing process that firms its texture which enables crumbling and shredding. It has a similar salty taste to cotija, making it a great replacement product.
However, it typically comes seasoned with paprika. Tone down the other spices in your recipe if you’re concerned about too much heat or use a little less than you would cotija.
5. Ricotta Salata
You can also try ricotta salata cheese. (This is not the same as the typical grocery store ricotta cheese you would use for lasagna recipes).
Ricotta salata is simply, fresh ricotta that is pressed, salted, and dried.
This cheese is not as easily found in stores, but if you do get your hands on some, you’ll need to add a dash or two of additional salt to achieve a similar cotija flavor.
6. Parmesan Cheese
You can use parmesan cheese as a substitute for aged cotija. Parmesan has a stronger flavor that is similar to the stronger taste of aged cotija. Parmesan makes the best substitute for cotija on Mexican street corn.
Use as a 1 to 1 substitute.
7. Cotija Molido
This cotija variety is finely ground. If you don’t want to finely chop your cheese for a recipe, this is a great option. You’ll find this ingredient in soups, topped on pizzas, and in pasta dishes.
Use as a 1 to 1 substitute.
8. Queso Fresco
Queso Fresco means “fresh cheese” in Spanish. This is the best substitute for cotija if you can find it in stores or happen to have some on hand. It is very close in flavor to cotija but is a little bit milder.
It’s already a common ingredient in Mexican dishes so it’s not a far stretch.
Use as a 1 to 1 substitute.
9. Feta Cheese
This white, crumbly cheese has a similar texture and salty flavor to the softer more fresh variety of cotija cheese and is readily available in grocery stores.
Feta cheese is a popular Mediterranean ingredient, specifically in Greek salads and wraps. But it also makes a suitable replacement for cotija in a pinch.
Use as a 1 to 1 substitute.
10. Goat Cheese Crumbles
Goat cheese is another, salt forward crumbly cheese with a strong flavor that can stand in for cotija in a pinch.
As its name implies, goat cheese is made from goat’s milk. This ingredient is pretty common in most local grocery stores so it’s easy to get your hands on.
Be sure to get the dryer, crumbled variety, and not the soft version usually sold in a log.
Use as a 1 to 1 substitute.
11. Romano Cheese
Romano makes a great aged cotija substitute as well. It’s salty and pungent and readily available in stores. Use as a 1 to 1 substitute the same way you would parmesan.
12. Grana Padano
This Italian cheese is made from cow’s milk and is aged for at least a 9 month period.
It has a slightly creamier texture and a mild, nutty bite. It is less salty and pungent than cotija, and has a sweeter flavor, but still makes a great stand in.
Use as a 1 to 1 substitute if you prefer a milder cheese in your recipes.
13. Wensleydale
This cheese originates from England and has a similar texture as Cotija but a sweeter taste that’s more like ricotta.
Wensleydale can be used as a 1 to 1 substitute for quesadillas, queso, and tacos if you don’t mind the milder taste and honeylike aroma.
14. Gorwydd Caerphilly
Caerphilly cheese is another crumbly, white English cheese that can stand in for Cotija in a pinch.
It has a salty, tangy flavor that makes it great for topping enchiladas, beans, and salsas and for stews.
Use as a 1 to 1 substitute, though it is slightly moister.
15. Red Fox
This cheese is quite different than cotija in color and texture. And it has a unique flavor.
It’s a cheddar cheese variety with a complex sweet, savory and salty flavor.
If you don’t have a semi-hard cheese on hand, this cheddar substitute is easily shredded and great for nachos and tacos.
Use as a 1 to 1 substitute.
Dairy Free & Vegan Cotija Alternatives
16. Vegan Cotija
There are lots of vegan cheese options out there now. If you don’t like consuming animal byproducts, you can even try making a DIY vegan cotija from almonds, using olive brine, salt, and lemon.
Use as a 1 to 1 substitute.
17. Violife Just Like Parmesan
Here’s a premade vegan cotija option. It has a similar salty taste and crumbly texture to cotija. Many grocery stores have a vegan section so it’s relatively easy to find Violife products in stores.
Use as a 1 to 1 substitute.
18. Tofu Cotija
This cotija replacement is great for those who have a nut allergy and also want to avoid animal products. The ingredients for tofu cotija include ACV (apple cider vinegar), salt, and nutritional yeast.
If you have the time to make your own cheese, this is a great 1 to 1 substitute.
Make your Own
You can make your own cotija cheese at home using the following ingredients and directions:
INGREDIENTS
For the Cheese:
- 8 cups non-homogenized whole milk
- 10 drops calcium chloride
- 4 grains mesophilic starter culture
- 1 mililiter liquid rennet (Dilute liquid rennet in 30 mililiter non-chlorinated water.)
- 2 Tablespoons Cheese Salt
For the Brine:
- 2 cups water, boiled
- 2 Tablespoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon citric acid
- 10-12 drops calcium chloride
FAQs
Feta or queso fresco are the closest substitutes for cotija cheese.
You can use them in almost any recipe that calls for cotija cheese without missing its flavor or texture.
The best substitute for cotija cheese on street corn is feta cheese or queso fresco.
They each have a similar appearance, taste, and texture to cotija cheese. And they’re readily available in stores.
Recipes with Cotija Cheese
And here’s a delicious shredded chicken salad (the best Cafe Rio copycat recipe). Use this dish to try out your favorite way to substitute for cotija cheese, above.
Shredded Chicken Cafe Rio Salad
This homemade Cafe Rio salad recipe features juicy shredded chicken, cilantro lime rice, and beans covered in fresh lettuce, pico de gallo, cotija cheese, lime juice, and a delicious tomatillo dressing. It’s incredibly flavorful and delicious!
John Carver
Thursday 20th of January 2022
Some of those indeed are decent substitutes for cotija, but...at least in the US, if a store doesn't have cotija, it's unlikely to have most of those other cheeses either, especially pre-grated cotija.
Jessica Ashcroft
Saturday 22nd of January 2022
Thanks for your comment John! We wanted to provide the most comprehensive post on substitutes so we listed the majority of the options just in case. You're right that most grocery stores won't have the uncommon substitutes, but local markets and family-run grocers might!