Andy Montoya
Taco trucks are a common sight in Los Angeles, with over 3,000 licensed food trucks and carts roaming the streets. While the signature item of a taco truck is often the carne asada taco, there are many other options to explore, including quesadillas, vampiros, and tostadas, all of which typically include cheese. So, what cheese do taco trucks use? There are many varieties of Mexican cheese, from crumbly cotija to creamy requesón, and the type of cheese used may depend on the dish being served. For example, quesadillas typically use a melting cheese like quesillo or queso Oaxaca, while tacos might use a salty, crumbly cheese like cotija or queso fresco.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Queso fresco, Cotija, Muenster, Monterey Jack, Manchego, Panela, Oaxaca, Chihuahua, Asadero, Doble crema, De bola |
| Texture | Semi-soft, semi-hard, crumbly, creamy, smooth, firm, light, soft, moderate, aged, dry, granular |
| Taste | Salty, tangy, creamy, rich, strong |
| Colour | White, light yellow |
| Use | Shredded, crumbled, grated, sliced, melted, spread |
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What You'll Learn
Taco trucks may use Monterey Jack, a semi-soft white cheese
Taco trucks are a staple of Los Angeles, with over 3,000 licensed food trucks and carts roaming the city. While the signature item of a taco truck is often the carne asada taco, there are many other options to explore, including different types of cheese.
One type of cheese that taco trucks may use is Monterey Jack, a semi-soft white cheese. It is often shredded and has a salty flavour. It is similar in consistency to store-bought mozzarella or shredded provolone, but with a stronger flavour.
Monterey Jack is a good melting cheese, making it a suitable option for quesadillas, a common taco truck offering. A quesadilla is a tortilla filled with gooey melted cheese and, optionally, meat and vegetables. Quesadillas can be made with flour or corn tortillas, and can be cooked in a few different ways.
Monterey Jack is also a good choice for other Mexican dishes such as tostadas, which are made with a fried tortilla base, piled with toppings such as meat, cheese, shredded lettuce, and sour cream. The tortilla of a vampiro, another taco truck offering, is grilled and covered in melted cheese before being loaded with other toppings.
While not all taco trucks will use Monterey Jack, it is a suitable option for those looking for a semi-soft, white cheese with a salty flavour that melts well.
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Muenster is another white cheese option, often grated for tacos
Taco trucks are a staple of Los Angeles, with over 3,000 licensed food trucks and carts roaming the city. While taco trucks are known for their carne asada, there are many other options to explore, including different types of cheese.
Muenster is a white cheese option that is often grated for tacos. It is a semi-soft cheese with a small, fine shred. While you won't find it pre-shredded in bags, it is not too hard to shred at home. It is a common cheese used in Mexican restaurants and taco trucks for tacos and nachos.
Muenster cheese is a great option for those who want a white cheese with a salty flavour. It has a similar consistency to store-bought mozzarella or shredded provolone, but with a stronger flavour. If you are looking for a pre-shredded option, Monterey Jack is a similar cheese that can be found in grocery stores.
For those looking for an authentic Mexican cheese experience, queso fresco is a popular option. It is a salty, farmer-style cheese that can be found in Latin American grocery stores and some mainstream grocery stores. It is also easy to make at home. Other Mexican cheeses to try include queso Oaxaca, a type of string cheese, and queso Chihuahua, a firm, light yellow aged cheese.
When choosing a cheese for your tacos, consider the texture and flavour you are looking for. Crumbled, grated, sliced, or melted cheese can all add salty, tangy, creamy, and rich flavours to your dish, offsetting the heat and spice of Mexican cuisine.
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Queso fresco is a salty, squeaky Mexican cheese
Queso fresco is similar to feta, a Greek cheese, in that it is fresh, crumbly, and white, but it differs in flavour, with a salty tang. It is also similar to mozzarella in consistency, but has a stronger flavour. It does not melt in the same way as cheeses like cheddar or mozzarella, but it does become softer when heated, turning a golden colour. This makes it a great topping for dishes like enchiladas, chiles rellenos, and flautas. It is also commonly used as a topping for tacos, refried bean tostadas, and Mexican salads.
Queso fresco is a very versatile cheese and can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a common substitute for cotija cheese, which is another Mexican cheese that is sharper and saltier, similar to Parmesan. Queso fresco is also often used as a topping for dips, such as guacamole, or other appetizers. It can be used in recipes that call for cotija cheese, as it has a milder, creamier, and slightly tangy flavour.
Queso fresco is a beloved cheese in Mexico, with some considering it to be Mexico's favourite fresh cheese. It is a key ingredient in many Mexican dishes and is widely used in authentic Mexican cooking. Its salty, tangy flavour and crumbly texture make it a unique and delicious addition to a variety of meals.
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Crumbly Cotija cheese is a strong-flavoured Mexican cheese
Cotija cheese is a common ingredient in Mexican dishes, contributing salty, tangy, and creamy flavours that balance the cuisine's heat and spice. It is one of the most well-known Mexican cheeses, along with queso fresco and añejo. These cheeses can be found in Mexican grocery stores, specialty markets, and dedicated cheese shops.
Cotija cheese is a great option for those who enjoy a strong-flavoured cheese. Its salty and tangy taste makes it a perfect pairing with other Mexican ingredients such as beans, chiles, and enchiladas. The cheese's crumbly texture also adds a unique mouthfeel to dishes, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a variety of textures in their food.
While Cotija cheese is typically enjoyed crumbled, it can also be sliced or melted, making it a versatile ingredient in the kitchen. Its strong flavour means a little goes a long way, so it is often used as a finishing touch or mixed into dishes like corn salads.
In addition to Cotija cheese, there are several other varieties of Mexican cheese worth mentioning. Queso Oaxaca, also known as quesillo, is a type of string cheese that takes its name from the State of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. This cheese is creamy white and moderately soft, making it perfect for melting. It is often used in quesadillas or stuffed chilis when a melted but not runny cheese is desired.
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Quesadillas are often made with Oaxaca cheese, a type of string cheese
Oaxaca cheese is also known as quesillo, or the "mozzarella of Mexico". It is commonly shredded or sliced and used in a variety of dishes, including refried beans, tostadas, soups, and chiles. Small one-inch balls of Oaxaca cheese are often enjoyed as snacks with a drink.
When making quesadillas, Oaxaca cheese can be melted and used as a filling, along with meat and vegetables. Quesadillas can be made with either flour or corn tortillas. The tortillas can be stacked or folded in half, with the fillings cooked open-faced.
Other types of cheese commonly used in Mexican cuisine include queso fresco, a salty farmer-style cheese, and cotija, a strong-flavored, dry and salty cheese that is often crumbled over dishes as a finishing touch. Queso asadero, or queso quesadilla, is another variety that is commonly used for quesadillas due to its creamy, smooth texture and ability to melt beautifully.
The variety of cheeses used in Mexican dishes adds salty, tangy, creamy, and rich flavors that balance the heat and spice of the cuisine.
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Frequently asked questions
Taco trucks use a variety of cheeses, including Monterey Jack, Muenster, queso fresco, Cotija, Oaxaca, and Panela.
The white shredded cheese used in taco trucks is likely to be Monterey Jack, Muenster, or queso fresco.
There are many Mexican cheeses that are commonly used in tacos, including queso fresco, Cotija, Oaxaca, and Panela.
If you are unable to find authentic Mexican cheese, similar options include mozzarella, shredded provolone, or domestic products made in the Mexican style.
