🧀 Cheese

Best Pecorino Cheese Substitute: Top 5 Alternatives Ranked

Discover the best substitutes for Pecorino cheese ranked by flavor, texture, and versatility. Find the perfect alternative for your cooking needs.

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Quick Answer

The best substitute for Pecorino cheese is Parmesan cheese, followed by Romano cheese, Asiago, Manchego, and aged cheddar. Each has its own strengths depending on your specific cooking needs.

Best Substitutes

Parmesan Cheese

1:1

The #1 substitute for Pecorino cheese. Has similar salty, nutty flavor and granular texture.

Best for:

pasta dishesrisottosoupsgrating over dishesmost cooking applications

Parmesan is the most versatile substitute for Pecorino. It has similar texture and salty flavor, though it's slightly less sharp than Pecorino.

Romano Cheese

1:1

The #2 substitute for Pecorino cheese. Very similar to Pecorino Romano with sharp, salty flavor.

Best for:

authentic Italian disheswhen you want exact flavor matchtraditional cookinggrating over dishes

Romano is essentially the same as Pecorino Romano, so this is the closest substitute available.

Asiago Cheese

1:1

The #3 substitute for Pecorino cheese. Italian cheese with nutty flavor, slightly milder than Pecorino.

Best for:

pasta dishesrisottosoupswhen you want milder flavorgrating over dishes

Asiago is milder than Pecorino but works well in most dishes. Good for those who find Pecorino too salty.

Manchego Cheese

1:1

The #4 substitute for Pecorino cheese. Spanish sheep's milk cheese with nutty, buttery flavor.

Best for:

pasta dishesrisottowhen you want similar origin (sheep's milk)grating over dishescheese boards

Made from sheep's milk like Pecorino but has a more buttery, less salty flavor.

Aged Cheddar

1:1

The #5 substitute for Pecorino cheese. English cheese with sharp, tangy flavor and firm texture when aged.

Best for:

pasta dishesrisottowhen you want sharp flavorgrating over dishescooking

More tangy than Pecorino but similar texture. Look for aged varieties (2+ years) for best results.

Cooking Tips

  • 💡Parmesan is the most versatile substitute for Pecorino in most cooking applications
  • 💡Romano cheese is the closest match to Pecorino Romano in flavor and texture
  • 💡Asiago is a good choice for those who find Pecorino too salty
  • 💡Manchego provides a similar sheep's milk origin but with different flavor notes
  • 💡Aged cheddar works well for grating applications but has a different flavor profile
  • 💡Always grate cheese fresh for the best flavor and texture
  • 💡Store hard cheeses wrapped in wax paper or cheese paper in the refrigerator
  • 💡For authentic Italian dishes, Pecorino is preferred over substitutes
  • 💡Consider the specific dish when choosing a substitute - some work better than others
  • 💡Don't be afraid to experiment with different substitutes to find your preferred taste

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best overall substitute for Pecorino cheese?

Parmesan cheese is the best overall substitute for Pecorino cheese. It has similar texture and salty flavor, works well in most cooking applications, and is widely available.

Which substitute is closest to Pecorino Romano?

Romano cheese is the closest substitute to Pecorino Romano because it's essentially the same cheese. Both are made from sheep's milk and have identical flavor and texture.

What's the best substitute for someone who finds Pecorino too salty?

Asiago cheese is the best substitute for someone who finds Pecorino too salty. It has a milder flavor while still providing the nutty, cheesy taste you want.

Can I use any of these substitutes in carbonara?

Yes, all of these substitutes can work in carbonara, but Parmesan and Romano are the best choices. They have the salty, sharp flavor that's essential to authentic carbonara.

Which substitute is best for grating over pasta?

All of these substitutes work well for grating over pasta, but Parmesan and Romano are the most traditional choices. They have the right texture and flavor for finishing pasta dishes.

Are there any vegan substitutes for Pecorino cheese?

Yes, nutritional yeast combined with cashew cream is the best vegan substitute for Pecorino cheese. Use 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast plus 1 tablespoon cashew cream for every 1/4 cup of Pecorino.

Summary

Discover the best substitutes for Pecorino cheese ranked by flavor, texture, and versatility. Find the perfect alternative for your cooking needs.