Feta cheese is the king of soft cheeses. Alongside olive oil, this creamy dairy product is synonymous with Greek cuisine. It’s a vital part of various Mediterranean salads, soups, and roasts.
However, what happens if you’ve run out of this tasty type of cheese? Don’t worry, you don’t have to ditch your plans for eating a nice Greek Cheese Pie. There are plenty of substitutes for feta cheese you can use to rescue your dinner, without sacrificing flavor.
1. Cottage Cheese
Though feta has a crumbly texture and a delightfully sharp flavor, it does have a fairly high sodium content. So it may not be ideal if you’re watching your salt. Here is where cottage cheese can help you out. With a similar texture profile, but a slightly milder taste, it’s a good substitute for feta cheese.
This cheese has the advantage of being a bit healthier. It’s rich in protein and calcium, essential nutrients for supporting muscle growth and healthy bones. Plus, it’s a bit lower in fat and calories, so it’s perfect if you’re trying to lose weight. Since the cheese is so similar in texture, you can use it in your healthy versions of pizza, pasta, and salads.
½ cup of feta cheese = ½ cup of cottage cheese.
2. Goat Cheese
While original feta cheese is usually made from sheep’s milk, it can also be made from a combo of sheep’s and goat’s milk. Therefore, goat cheese can be an excellent substitute for feta cheese in your favorite salad recipes. Admittedly, feta and goat cheese greatly differ in terms of flavor and texture.
Feta has a richer and sharper taste, as well as a crumbly texture. In contrast, goat cheese is mild and very creamy. However, if you happen to find a piece of aged crumbly goat cheese, then you’ll get an easy substitute.
½ cup of feta cheese = ½ cup of goat cheese.
3. Queso Fresco
For this substitute for feta cheese, we have to go to Latin America. Queso Fresco is usually made from raw cow’s milk or a combination of cow’s and goat’s milk. It doesn’t go through the same fermentation process as feta cheese, so it has a much milder and less sharp flavor profile.
However, the cheese is very similar to feta in terms of texture. Therefore it’s the perfect alternative to feta in salads, wraps, and Greek sandwiches. Plus, it has a plethora of health benefits. Like cottage cheese, it has less sodium and fat than aged feta cheese.
Because of this, it’s perfect if you’re watching your salt intake, or if you’re on a diet. Substitution is a piece of cake with this cheese.
½ cup of feta cheese = ½ cup of queso fresco.
4. Halloumi Cheese
Another iconic Greek cheese, halloumi is perfect if you’re in the mood for a bit of grilling. Like feta, it’s made from a combo of sheep and goat’s cheese. This means that both kinds of cheese have a similar flavor profile. However, halloumi is still a bit milder and has an almost sweet aftertaste as opposed to the sharp richness of feta.
But the biggest difference between the two kinds of cheese is the texture. Feta is firm, but crumbly, which is perfect for salads. In contrast, halloumi is very firm and even chewy, which makes it ideal for recipes that involve baking and frying. Therefore, if you’re looking for a good substitute for feta cheese with a milder bite, halloumi may be the way to go.
½ cup of feta cheese = ½ cup of halloumi.
5. Ricotta Cheese
It may be milkier and moister than feta, but ricotta cheese is the best substitute for feta cheese in terms of flavor. They both have that strong, sharp tang that works so well in salads, pasta, and burgers. But ricotta cheese has a note of sweetness to it which is perfect for balancing strong spicy flavors.
The two kinds of cheese differ a bit in terms of texture. Ricotta is very creamy and spreadable, making it much more versatile than feta. It’s perfect for sweet recipes or as a topping for pancakes and salads alike. Despite the high moisture content, it also pairs very well with olive oil in bakes and pies. Therefore, substitution is incredibly easy.
½ cup of feta cheese = ½ cup of ricotta cheese.
6. Tofu
If you want to indulge in some Mediterranean cuisine, but have recently gone plant-based, don’t worry. You don’t have to give up your favorite dishes. Instead, replace the feta with some firm tofu. This vegan miracle food is made from fermented soybeans. It’s packed with protein, calcium, and plenty of healthy fats to nourish your body.
It also has the same, crumbly texture as feta, so you can sprinkle it on top of salads, or other cold dishes. However, since tofu is derived from soybeans, it has a very different flavor from feta. Fortunately, if you prepare it right, you can make it taste just as good as feta.
Mix olive oil, lemon zest, and wine vinegar, with salt, and the brine from a jar of kalamata olives. Then add some salt, a garlic clove, pepper, oregano, and basil. Presto! Your substitute for feta cheese is done and you can add it to your dish.
½ cup of feta cheese = ½ cup of tofu mix.
7. Roquefort
Fans of French cheeses are going to love this entry. While it may seem like a creamy, moldy cheese that is poles apart from feta, this actually isn’t the case. French cheesemakers make this product from aged sheep’s cheese. Therefore, in terms of flavor, Roquefort is the perfect substitute for feta cheese.
However, the two kinds of cheese do differ in terms of texture. Roquefort is much creamier than feta, and won’t really crumble like Greek cheese. The blue veins of Roquefort can significantly change the appearance of your dish. However, if you prioritize flavor above all else, then Roquefort is the alternative for you.
½ cup of feta cheese = ½ cup of Roquefort.
8. Cheddar Cheese
Cheddar and feta cheese might seem like complete opposites. Feta is a white, soft, crumbly sheep’s cheese that pairs perfectly with olive oil. Cheddar is a deep yellow, hard cow’s cheese you melt over your pizzas or pasta. The two do share one thing in common, however — a sharp, tangy flavor.
Cheddar has the same potent acid bite, which makes it a good substitute for feta cheese. This is especially true if you’re not big on soft cheeses. However, because of the differences in texture, you may want to grate the cheddar cheese so it doesn’t overwhelm your dish.
½ cup of feta cheese = ½ cup of cheddar cheese.
