Boursin cheese is a well-loved all-around cheese. This is perfect, spreadable cheese and a creamy dip for almost anything. This article will help you find the best Boursin cheese substitute if you are looking for a perfect replacement.
So, the next time you’re out for a grocery run, look for these options instead.
Boursin cheese is a creamy, garlicky French-style cheese that is often used as an appetizer or spread.
This brand name of cheese comes from Normandy. François Boursin created it in 1963. Like any other brilliant discovery, this creamy cheese was born accidentally.
As the story goes, François was still trying to perfect his signature cheese when, in 1961, a French newspaper mistakenly published that he was about to launch a garlic-infused cheese.
The public received the news with much anticipation, but the problem was it was not true.
What François did next was not deny the news but work to create one that would make it true. Two years later, he launched the very first Boursin cheese. It is a Gournay cheese inspired by fromage frais.
Since then, Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs Cheese has become a kitchen staple. Today, Boursin is available in more flavors, including the following:
It can be difficult to find Boursin cheese in some areas. It also may not fit into everyone’s dietary restrictions. As such, you might also need a Boursin cheese substitute if you want something similar with fewer calories or less fat.
Here is a list of the best Boursin cheese substitutes for you to choose from:
Cream cheese is a great substitution if you’re looking for something with a different flavor. It has a milder taste and can be used similarly to Boursin in recipes.
Cream cheese is versatile, so it can replace Boursin in many dishes. These recipes include mac and cheese, salads, dressings, dips, and pasta sauces. Of course, you can also use cream cheese in mashed potatoes and spreads.
However, you might need to add lemon juice, spices, and herbs to make flavored cream cheese. Doing so will help you achieve a closer flavor match. After all, plain cream cheese won’t taste anywhere near Boursin cheese.
Cream cheese is such a common cheese you will find anywhere. There are vegan versions, too.
Violife’s Vegan Cream Cheese is a top choice for a vegan Boursin alternative.
Another great option for a Boursin cheese substitute is Blank Slate Tapenade. This option is a farmer’s cheese under Beecher’s Handmade Cheese lineup.
Blank Slate cheese has a similar soft and spreadable texture. Cheesemakers use fresh garlic, herbs, spices, and various olives to flavor this cheese.
That said, this unripened cheese has a strong and distinct Mediterranean flavor. This taste is different from Boursin. But it is perfect for those who want a more robust garlic flavor on their dishes.
Beecher’s handmade cheese can replace Boursin in cheese platters and appetizers. Its creamy texture makes it an excellent Boursin replacement in dips and sauces as well.
For mac and cheese, though, you should use Beecher’s Flagship Cheese and Just Jack.
Laughing Cow Garlic and Herb variety is also an excellent option. It tastes very similar to Boursin’s Garlic and Fine Herbs.
Aside from the similar taste, Laughing Cow cheese is affordable and widely available. Plus, it has a texture close to the spreadable consistency of Boursin.
Lastly, this cream cheese spread also comes in a light version that boasts only 35 calories per wedge. This lighter version is perfect for those watching their calorie intake.
If you want something close to the other Boursin flavors, you may create a homemade version using plain Laughing Cow Cheese as a base ingredient.
The good melting ability of this cheese also makes it a suitable option for cheese fondue. Use it to replace Boursin cheese in sauces, dips, and appetizers.
Gorgonzola is a blue cheese with a rich flavor and a signature marbled appearance due to its veins. This cheese is made from cow’s milk and tastes milder than other blue cheese varieties.
Still, it is a rather adventurous choice for a replacement for the trusty Boursin cheese. But Gorgonzola does a good job in cheese platters and salads.
Note that this cheese does not have Boursin’s smooth, creamy, and spreadable texture. Rather, Gorgonzola is crumbly, but you can spread it on crackers like you’d do Boursin. It is a good melting cheese, so it can easily step in for Boursin in pasta sauces and dips.
Obviously, this cheese lacks Boursin’s spiced and herbed taste. So, there will be a noticeable flavor shift. For a closer flavor match, you can also try adding chopped herbs to Gorgonzola.
Of course, this substitute list won’t be complete without fromage frais. After all, this cheese is the inspiration behind Boursin cheese itself.
Fromage frais is a fresh French cheese with a creamy, spreadable texture. Its main ingredient is cream, which gives it a mild flavor. This subtle taste, though, works to its advantage as a substitute for Boursin cheese.
You can use it in almost any dish that calls for Boursin, as it is like a blank canvas for other flavors. You can mix fromage frais with any herb and spice you like to match your favorite Boursin variation.
Use fromage frais instead of Boursin in baked goods, salads, and sauces. This spreadable cheese can also replace Boursin in appetizers and mashed potato recipes.
Cottage cheese is also an acceptable substitute for Boursin cheese if you’re in a pinch. Cottage cheese is well-loved by many because of its affordability, availability, and versatility.
It is a fresh cheese with a similarly subtle flavor, one you can use in combination with many other ingredients. Using it in place of Boursin cheese will not affect the flavor profile of your dish.
The downside with cottage cheese is that it does not melt well. Because of this limitation, it cannot replace Boursin cheese in all recipes.
It does a decent job in spreads, and dips, though. But its crumbly nature and non-melting ability won’t do well in pasta sauces. Plus, cottage cheese definitely won’t work in a cheese fondue as Boursin cheese does.
A great Boursin cheese substitute is goat cheese. Goat cheese has a similar flavor and creaminess to Boursin and can be used as easily in appetizers, snacks, and spreads. It also offers fewer calories and fat than traditional Boursin, making it a healthier alternative.
Like cottage cheese, goat cheese does not melt well, too. Instead, when you heat goat cheese, it transforms from crumbly to spreadable. In this form, goat cheese can replace Boursin cheese in dips, spreads, and salads.
Note that goat cheese has a stronger flavor than Boursin cheese and has extra tanginess. On top of that, goat cheese won’t have the herbed taste unless you add some freshly chopped herbs before you use it.
An advantage of opting for goat cheese is that it is lower in fat and calories. This cheese is, by far, one of the healthiest options. However, if your recipe calls for sauces or fondue, you are better off with other options on this list.
Are you overwhelmed with all these options? Worry not; here’s a quick guide to help you pick the best Boursin cheese substitute.
When choosing the best Boursin cheese substitute, consider the closest flavor match. Doing so will give you an identical dish and result in the best substitution experience.
For the best flavor match, the top alternative would be Laughing Cow Garlic & Herb. But if you want a stronger flavor, go for Beecher’s handmade cheese.
Another consideration you should be mindful of is your swap’s texture. If you pick something that does not have the same texture, it would mean changing your dish’s consistency.
Cream cheese and Beecher’s handmade cheese are top choices for the closest texture.
Ricotta cheese is another option that has similar texture and nutritional value as well.
Finally, there are some vegan options if you want to avoid dairy altogether. Nut-based cheese spreads like almond ricotta or cashew cheese have a similar flavor and texture as Boursin, but without the dairy content.
You can also use vegan cream cheese in place of traditional Boursin for a creamy spread that will still hold up well when used in recipes.
Yes, Boursin cheese can substitute cream cheese and vice-versa. This substitution works because they share a similar texture.
Cream cheese doesn’t readily have the flavors of Boursin cheese, though. But adding herbs and spices into it can quickly yield a similar-tasting cheese.
Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs has similar flavor notes as Philadephia Intense Garlic & Herb Soft Cheese. But Boursin is quite crumbly and less smooth than Philadelphia. Plus, even when the name says “intense,” Philadelphia’s flavor is milder than Boursin.
Yes, you can substitute Alouette for Boursin. This substitution especially works for the Garlic & Herb variety as both brands carry this flavor. Other flavors of Alouette include Spinach & Artichoke and Smoky Jalapeño. You can also use these varieties as Boursin cheese substitutes if you’re okay with a flavor shift.
The next time you find yourself staring at an empty Boursin cheese shelf, don’t frown! You can use plenty of substitutes in place of this classic favorite.
Among your top substitutes for Boursin cheese are Laughing Cow Garlic & Herbs and fromage frais. Beecher’s handmade cheese, Violife’s vegan cream cheese, and goat cheese are also great choices. Creating your version of Boursin using cream cheese or cottage cheese is also a great idea.
