Feta Cheese is most commonly used for Greek and Mediterranean cuisine and I am going to provide you with the 18 best feta cheese substitutes.
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What is Feta Cheese
Feta Cheese is a famous Greek cheese made from a combination of sheep milk and goats milk known for its salty tangy taste adding a delicious unique flavor to any dish.
With its Greek origin feta cheese is one of the most popular cheeses with a creamy texture that you can crumble on any salads, pasta, burgers and side dishes.
Feta Cheese is instantly associated with many of the Greek favorite dishes like greek salad, greek pasta TikTok dishes, spanakopita, meat dishes and our family favourite feta cheese pizza with olive oil.
If you do not have feta cheese in the fridge or need an easy vegan substitute here are 18 popular substitutes in place of feta. While these feta substitutes can be found at most grocery stores some may have to be searched for at a specially grocery shop or fine food store.
Best Feta Cheese Alternatives
All of the substitutes listed below can be substited with a 1:1 ratio.
1. Cottage Cheese
Cottage Cheese is a soft low calorie cheese typically lower in fat content with a milder flavor than feta that is made from cow's milk. It is a perfect feta cheese substitute on top of greek salad. It is also great in greek pasta salad in place of feta just mix it in with the other ingredients for a creamy tangy flavour. Also its a terrific substitute with its mild taste on an omelette, pizza and even stuffed zucchini. Cottage cheese It is a versatile cheese making It a great healthier substitute in any recipe you would use feta cheese.
2. Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta cheese is a soft and creamy Italian cheese with less sodium but with a higher moisture content than feta cheese. Much like cottage cheese ricotta is one of our best substitutes on pizza or flatbread by adding dollops of ricotta then baking it is delicious. You can use ricotta in place of feta on pasta salad, salad dressing, spanakopita and bruschetta. It also makes a perfect alternative to feta cheese in cheesy pasta dishes like my four cheese pasta.
3. Goats Cheese
Goat cheese is a mild creamy cheese with a tart or tangy flavour. Goat cheese in an ideal substitute for feta on watermelon and arugula salad, greek pasta salad like my kale salad with cranberry walnut and feta, stuffed peppers, a quiche or frittata and Mediterranean grilled chicken. Since it has a similar texture to feta cheese it makes goat cheese a perfect substitute for a recipe requiring a crumbly texture.
4. Mizithra Cheese
Mizithra is also a Greek cheese made from goats and sheep milk making it very similar to feta cheese but with a milder sweet and tangy flavor. Use it in place of feta in greek salad like my favorite salad, spanakopita, watermelon and tomato salad and greek-style spaghetti. Mizithra is a great substitute for feta cheese perfect for hot or cold pasta, bread, salad on vegetables and wraps.
5. Halloumi Cheese
Halloumi Cheese is a semi-hard cheese with a unique sweet but tangy flavour and a texture similar to mozzarella cheese. It is a an ideal substitute for feta if you do not enjoy the texture of feta cheese. Halloumi has a high melting point that makes it suitable for grilling. It is also great feta cheese substitute for layering in salads such as greek salad, Mediterranean quinoa salad, watermelon and halloumi salad, stuffed tomatoes or in pasta recipes.
6. Queso Fresco
Queso Fresco is a a crumbly, fresh soft cheese with a similar texture to feta cheese but with a less salty milder flavor. Queso Fresco is a Mexican cheese most commonly used in Mexican cuisine. This is one of the particular types of cheese that gets soft when heated, but it's difficult to melt. Queso Fresco is an excellent substitute for feta used as topping for salads, burgers and wraps.
7. Cotija Cheese
Cotija cheese is an aged cheese is also from Mexico made from cow's milk with a salty flavor and firm texture. With its crumbly texture and less tangy flavor it is more like a hard cheese such as parmesan cheese. Since cotija cheese does not melt like other cheeses it is a great option for feta cheese used as a filling or garnish on salads like my Mediterranean pasta salad, hot dishes and burgers.
8. Gorgonzola Cheese
Gorgonzola cheese is a soft crumbly Italian blue cheese that is quite salty. Gorgonzola and feta cheese are both white cheese with similar taste but gorgonzola has a strong flavor. Gorgonzola is another great option for feta substitute on salads, pasta, omelettes and even in casseroles and soups.
9. Roquefort Cheese
Roquefort Cheese is another type of blue cheese substitute for feta cheese this time from Southern France typically made with raw milk. It has a similar texture to feta but roquefort is a little less salty and is a stronger more pungent cheese. Roquefort is a good feta cheese substitute particularly with pizza, pasta dishes, salads, soups and quiches.
10. Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan cheese is a hard cheese with a similar saltiness and a tangy nutty flavor making it a perfect substitute for feta cheese. Use parmesan mainly at room temperature if you can to substitute for feta on pizza, pasta, salads and soups.
11. Queso Blanco Cheese
Queso Blanco cheese is very similar to feta though slightly less salty and they are both a mild soft crumbly cheese with a tangy taste. You can use this as a replacement for feta in soups, salads and on top of burgers.
12. Sharp Cheddar
Sharp Cheddar cheese is originally a white cheddar with no colouring added from England. This type of cheese is a firm texture aged cheddar which give it its more sharp or pungent flavor. An aged white cheddar which is sometimes referred to as extra sharp cheddar cheese is also more crumbly compared to other cheddar cheeses making it a great addition to this best feta cheese substitute list. Substitute for feta with sharp cheddar on salads, burgers, wraps, pizza, soups and pasta.
13. Mozzarella Cheese
Mozzarella cheese in another mild version of Italian cheese substitute that is soft with a moist smooth texture and a slight tang. While mozzarella and feta are both considered fresh cheeses mozzarella does have a lower sodium and fat content than feta. This makes it an excellent somewhat healthier substitute for some people who require this in their diet over feta. Also with its milder taste mozzarella is a great option for those seeking a mild flavor feta cheese substitute. Mozzarella can be substituted for feta on pizza, pasta recipes, burgers, wraps, sandwiches, soups and salads.
14. Panela Cheese
Panela cheese is a smooth white fresh cheese that can be described as having a rubbery texture that does not crumble. It is then usually much better used in cubes or slices and more often used in appetizer dishes. Panela cheese is a good substitute for feta cheese layered in salads, sandwiches and soups.
Vegan and Dairy Free Feta Substitutes
Here are four great options for feta substitutes if you or someone you are cooking for is on a dairy free or vegan diet.
15. Tofu Cheese
Tofu cheese is a vegan cheese made from soy milk and it can have a soft or firm tofu texture which enables it to crumble much like feta cheese. It has a flavourless taste on its own but it can be cut or cooked in a variety of ways to make it look and taste very similar to feta cheese like this vegan feta cheese recipe. This makes tofu cheese a perfect vegan substitute for feta cheese. Use tofu cheese in place of feta on salad like in my own orzo salad, wraps, pizza and in any recipe as a vegan substitute for feta cheese.
16. Almond Cheese
Almond cheese can be made from almond milk, raw almonds, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and water giving it a softer texture but nutty flavor. It can also be made as a vegan almond feta cheese version that has a similar taste and crumbly texture as feta cheese. If you need a vegan dairy free lactose free feta cheese alternative almond cheese is a great alternative. It can be used in place of feta on salads, pizza, wraps and sandwiches. If however you have nut allergies almond cheese would not be a suitable substitute for feta cheese.
17. Cashew Cheese
Cashew cheese is a perfect plant-based alternative to feta cheese. It of course has a salty and nutty flavor giving it a distinct tangy taste. It should not be thought of a cream cheese it has a similar texture to ricotta cheese. Use cashew cheese as a replacement for feta cheese on pizza, wraps, sandwiches as a salad dressing and any recipe in place of feta. Like almond cheese it would not be a suitable substitute if anyone had a nut allergy.
18. Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional yeast has a pleasant nutty cheesy flavour and it is very versatile as a vegan substitute for feta cheese. Often sold in the form of yellow flakes or powder it can be sprinkled on salads like my kale salad with walnuts and feta, wraps, soups and sandwiches. It usually requires less than half the amount you would for say using parmesan cheese.
FAQ's
Cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, goat cheese are a few options you can use as a substitute for feta cheese in a salad. Crumbled goat cheese, has a similar tangy and salty flavor. Crumbled blue cheese is another good option.
Yes, there are a couple of Italian cheeses that are similar to feta cheese. Ricotta salata has a crumbly texture and slightly salty taste, while pecorino romano is a hard, salty cheese that can add a similar flavor to dishes.
Feta cheese is a Greek brined white cheese made from sheep's milk or from a mixture of sheep and goat's milk.
Bringing cheese to room temperature is an essential step in unlocking its full flavor potential, as it allows the fat to soften and the texture to become creamier. However, it's important to be mindful of the time limit for leaving cheese out of the fridge to avoid spoilage.
When purchasing and storing aged cheeses, it is important to keep them refrigerated and wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or an airtight container to prevent them from drying out. Aged cheeses can also be frozen for up to 6 months, although the texture may change slightly upon thawing.
Delicious salad recipes with feta cheese
While feta cheese has a unique flavor and texture that can be difficult to replicate, there are several great substitutes available for those who cannot or choose not to consume it.
Depending on the recipe and personal preferences, it's always best to experiment and try different alternatives to find the one that best suits your taste and works well in your dish. With a little creativity, you can create delicious and satisfying meals without using feta cheese.
Tim
This is an amazing list of feta substitutes!! I loved reading about all the different cheeses as well so interesting and informative!! Thanks!
Eliza
This is a fantastic resource, with so many great ideas for feta cheese substitutes! Looking forward to trying your tasty salad recipes, too.
Sandra Flegg
Thanks Eliza!