In this article, we’ll share with you blue cheese substitute options. They’re perfect if you want a similar taste and texture without blue cheese’s overpowering flavor.
Blue cheese is a unique type of cheese known for its distinctive sharp and tangy flavor. Most importantly, the blue veins running through it make it easily identifiable. But not everyone is a fan of its intense taste or aroma.
Fortunately, other ingredients can mimic the flavor and texture of blue cheese.
Blue cheese is a type of cheese known for its distinctive blue or blue-green veins that run throughout the cheese.
This cheese has a rich history that goes as far as the Middle Ages. Cheesemakers cure pasteurized cows, sheep’s, or goat’s milk with the introduction of mold, specifically Penicillium, during the process.
As a result, blue cheese has a sharp and salty taste with an intense aroma.
Its flavor and texture can vary depending on the variety. Some popular varieties of blue cheese include Roquefort, Stilton, Gorgonzola, and Danish Blue.
Blue cheese is often used as a flavor enhancer in various dishes. Its unique flavor and texture make blue cheese a staple in many cuisines worldwide.
Blue cheese adds a unique flavor and texture to dishes.
You can crumble it over a salad or melt it into a creamy sauce.
It is a great addition to cheese boards, along with crackers and nuts.
People also often use it to make dips and dressings.
Blue cheese also tastes great with pasta dishes, adding a rich and creamy texture.
Additionally, blue cheese is also a topping for burgers. It adds a tangy, sharp flavor that cuts through the meat’s richness.
It is also perfect in buffalo chicken dip or spinach and artichoke dips.
Another common use of blue cheese is in dressings. Blue cheese dressing is a classic condiment in salads or as a dip for vegetables.
Gorgonzola is a type of Italian blue cheese from Lombardy and Piedmont. As it comes from the same family, people often use Gorgonzola as a substitute for blue cheese.
It has a distinct salty, pungent taste and aroma common in blue cheeses.
The cheese comes in two varieties: Gorgonzola Dolce and Gorgonzola Piccante. This cheese has a soft, buttery, and creamy texture when young, with subtle hints of sharp blue.
Tips:
Piccante, or aged versions of the cheese, have a more earthy and intense flavor. Both types are useful in cheese boards, pizzas, pasta, and burgers.
Roquefort is a great substitute for blue cheese because it has a similar flavor profile.
This cheese is also a blue cheese that uses sheep’s milk. Its blue veins stretch across its moist and crumbly body. It has a distinctive aroma and flavor.
But unlike other blue cheeses, it only needs 2-3 months to age, so it does not taste as intense. In fact, it’s a delightfully nuanced cheese with sharp and sweet notes.
Those that do not particularly like the strong notes of blue cheese will find this a better choice.
Tips:
It is perfect for salads, soups, and roasted potatoes. Roquefort cheese also looks good on a cheese board and tastes great with crackers and nuts.
Stilton cheese is an excellent substitute for blue cheese. This cheese provides the same flavor profile as blue cheese.
It is a cow’s milk cheese beautifully marbled with streaks of blue. So it is equally as stunning.
Stilton cheese is slightly moist and crumbly, offering a creamy and nutty flavor. Its lasting salty finish makes it a great addition to various dishes.
Note that Blue Stilton cheese is creamier than most blue cheese. That said, it is an ideal choice if you want to increase the creaminess of your dish.
Tips:
Stilton pairs well with various fruits, nuts, and desserts. It is an excellent addition to any cheeseboard as well.
Feta uses sheep’s milk or a combination of sheep’s and goat’s milk. These kinds of milk give it a slightly tart taste compared to cow’s milk cheese.
And for this reason, feta cheese can be a great substitute for blue cheese.
You can use feta in various dishes, from salads to pasta. It works great in great in cheese boards, dressings, and sauces as well. But even when feta’s flavor is not as intense as blue cheese, it is considerably much saltier.
After all, it comes in brine, so starting with a small amount is best. You can always add more to achieve your desired flavor.
Tips:
Unlike blue cheese, Feta doesn’t have mold, so it looks different. If you want the veins of blue cheese, you are better off with another cheese. But feta is a great option if you want a more affordable cheese.
Goat cheese entirely uses goat’s milk and is milder than feta. That said, it is a great swap for blue cheese if you still find feta too strong.
It complements many dishes such as sandwiches, grain bowls, salads, and pizzas.
When goat cheese is young, it has an earthy and tangy taste with a sharp undertone. As it ages, it turns creamy with hints of hazelnut and dried herbs.
But goat cheese is saltier than feta and blue cheese, so it is best to start with a small amount when substituting.
Tips:
It is important to choose plain goat cheese, as it comes in many flavors. Flavored versions might have a taste that strays away from blue cheese.
Cashew cheese is creamier, smoother, and more liquid in consistency than blue cheese. So, cashew cheese may not be a direct substitute for blue cheese regarding texture.
But it can still be a good option for those looking for a non-dairy alternative. It can give your dishes a similar tangy and savory flavor.
Its versatility makes it a great option for salads, dips, and spreads, too.
Tips:
Do note that it won’t be suitable if you need something to crumble. It tastes like cashews, so there might be a flavor shift in your dish.
Aged Cheddar cheese is versatile and can be a good substitute for blue cheese.
Through the aging process, Cheddar develops tangy, nutty, and sharp flavors. This taste can mimic the taste of blue cheese, but it is more palatable for many.
And if you’re looking for a spicy kick, habanero Cheddar cheese is a must-try. Its firm texture works well in sandwiches, salads, and meat dishes.
Tips:
Like blue cheese, Cheddar melts well so that you can use it in more recipes. You have to put up with a different-looking dish, as Cheddar is yellow and does not look like blue cheese at all.
Queso fresco is a soft cheese common in dishes in Mexican cuisine. While its flavor is mild, it has a slightly sour and salty taste that resembles blue cheese. For this reason, it can serve as a good blue cheese substitute.
Its creamy consistency and crumbly texture make it ideal for sprinkling and crumbling. Use it on enchiladas, tacos, and black beans to replace blue cheese.
Queso fresco is a great addition to burritos and other fillings. You can also use it in salads and sandwiches.
When using queso fresco, it is best to use a small amount and adjust according to taste.
Tips:
Unlike blue cheese, queso fresco becomes soft and chewy when you heat it. It does not melt, so avoid this option if you want a melty cheese.
Halloumi cheese has a tangy and salty flavor, which becomes even more pronounced as it ages. Due to these characteristics, it can be a great alternative to blue cheese.
It has a high melting point due to its spongy and semi-hard texture.
Halloumi uses a mixture of sheep and goat milk. Its strong flavor is perfect for those who enjoy blue cheese but find its aroma off-putting.
Tips:
It is ideal for frying or grilling but not for melting. Because halloumi is saltier, you may need to adjust your salty ingredients for the best result.
Monte Enebro is a unique and delicious Spanish cheese you can use as a blue cheese swap. While not technically a blue cheese, Monte Enebro’s rind comes with blue mold.
That said, it has a distinct tangy flavor and familiar blue-gray color.
Its soft, creamy texture and mildly spicy taste make it ideal for people who find blue cheese too strong.
As Monte Enebro ripens, its flavor and aroma intensify. That said, you can choose a young or mature cheese, depending on the flavor profile you are aiming for.
Tips:
For a closer flavor match to blue cheese, choose an aged Monte Enebro. Use Monte Enebro instead of blue cheese in cheeseboards, dressings, and dips.
In salads, crumbled feta or goat cheese are among the best substitutes for blue cheese. These cheeses have a tangy flavor, like blue cheese. They can also add a nice texture to salads.
Another great swap for blue cheese in salads is gorgonzola cheese. It has a similar creamy texture and strong flavor that can complement salads nicely.
Use Gorgonzola or Stilton as a blue cheese substitute in pasta dishes. Both kinds of cheese have a creamy texture and tangy flavor, similar to blue cheese.
They have a milder and less pungent taste that can be more appealing to some palates. They’ll make your pasta dish burst with flavor.
For appetizers, use goat cheese or feta instead of blue cheese. They have a tangy and salty flavor that can add a similar savory element to appetizers as blue cheese. The good thing is they are not as pungent.
Additionally, goat cheese and feta are both soft and spreadable textures. You can easily incorporate it into dips and spreads for appetizers.
Yes, blue cheese is generally an acquired taste. After all, it has a pungent and sharp flavor that most people find off-putting. Some people may initially find the taste overpowering and unpleasant. But over time, they may develop a liking for it.
You can use a variety of cheeses as a substitute for blue cheese in a cheese ball. Choose among feta, goat cheese, Gorgonzola, or Roquefort. All these options have a tangy and salty flavor profile similar to blue cheese. You may also go for Daniblu, a Danish blue cheese. Try experimenting with different herbs and spices to make a more tasty cheese ball.
Yes, Gorgonzola can be a good substitute for blue cheese because it is another blue cheese. It has a similar appearance and flavor profile. Both blue cheese and Gorgonzola use Penicillium to give them their blue veins. Remember that Gorgonzola has a slightly milder taste than blue cheese. So, adjust the amount accordingly to achieve your desired flavor.
Blue cheese has a salty and sharp flavor that may not be to everyone’s taste. Fortunately, several blue cheese substitutes can provide similar flavors and textures. Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Stilton, and Feta cheeses are all good options.
You can use them in cheese boards, dressings, and sauces. But each blue cheese substitute has its own flavor and texture. That said, the choice ultimately depends on personal preference.
