🥛 Dairy

Best Feta Cheese Substitutes: Complete Guide Guide

Discover the best substitutes for feta cheese including goat cheese, ricotta salata, and queso fresco. Learn ratios, cooking tips, and when to use each substitute.

✓

Quick Answer

The best substitutes for feta cheese are goat cheese, ricotta salata, queso fresco, and cotija cheese. Use a 1:1 ratio and choose based on your dish - goat cheese for creaminess, ricotta salata for similar texture, queso fresco for mild flavor, or cotija for salty crumbles.

Best Substitutes

Goat Cheese

1:1

Creamy, tangy cheese that works well in most feta applications

Best for:

saladspastapizzaappetizersbaking

Slightly creamier than feta but similar tangy flavor

Ricotta Salata

1:1

Aged ricotta with firm, crumbly texture similar to feta

Best for:

saladspastagreek dishesmediterranean cooking

Mild flavor, crumbles well like feta

Queso Fresco

1:1

Mexican fresh cheese with mild flavor and crumbly texture

Best for:

saladstacosmexican dishestoppings

Milder than feta but similar crumbly texture

Cotija Cheese

1:1

Mexican aged cheese with salty, crumbly texture

Best for:

saladspastabakingtoppings

Saltier than feta but similar crumbly texture

Parmesan

1:1

Hard Italian cheese that can work as a topping substitute

Best for:

pastapizzasaladsbaking

Very different texture but adds salty, umami flavor

Cooking Tips

  • 💡For salads, goat cheese or ricotta salata work best as they maintain the creamy, crumbly texture
  • 💡In pasta dishes, ricotta salata or queso fresco provide the best texture match
  • 💡For Greek dishes, try to find a cheese with similar briny, tangy notes
  • 💡When baking, goat cheese melts well and provides similar creaminess
  • 💡For vegan options, consider tofu feta or cashew-based alternatives
  • 💡Store substitutes in the refrigerator and use within their recommended timeframes
  • 💡Taste and adjust seasoning as substitutes may have different salt levels
  • 💡For crumbled applications, freeze the cheese briefly before crumbling for easier handling

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Find the best substitutes for feta cheese including goat cheese, ricotta salata, and queso fresco. Learn ratios, cooking tips, and when to use each substitute for perfect results.