Frederic Melton
Blue cheese is a versatile ingredient with a distinctive flavour and aroma. It can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to pasta and burgers. However, not everyone enjoys its strong, pungent taste and some may be allergic to it. For those looking for an alternative, there are several substitutes that can be used in place of blue cheese. These include feta, goat cheese, aged cheddar, and even non-dairy options like hummus or yoghurt.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Substitutes | Feta, Goat Cheese, Cheddar, Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Sour Cream, Mayonnaise, Yogurt, Cream Cheese, Ranch Dressing, Shaved Parmesan, Nuts, Olives, Hummus |
| Texture | Dry and crumbly |
| Flavour | Salty, tangy, creamy, mild, strong |
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What You'll Learn
Feta, goat's cheese, or cream cheese
Feta, goat's cheese, and cream cheese can all be used as substitutes for blue cheese. Feta has a rich and tangy taste, while goat's cheese is milder and tarter. Both are crumbly, much like some blue cheeses.
Cream cheese is a very different type of cheese to blue cheese, but it can be used as a substitute in some situations. Cream cheese is a building block in myriad recipes, including casseroles, dips, desserts, and appetizers. It is soft and spreadable, with a mild tangy flavour. If you are looking for a substitute for cream cheese, you could consider sour cream, Greek yoghurt, mascarpone, cottage cheese, silken tofu, or cashew cheese.
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Shaved parmesan
When looking for a substitute for blue cheese, there are several options to consider. Firstly, gorgonzola and roquefort are similar cheeses that can be used in the same way as blue cheese, such as crumbled over salads, melted on burgers, or used as a dip. Feta is another option, offering a rich and tangy taste, although it may not provide the same sharp bite as blue cheese when crumbled into tiny pieces. Goat cheese, with its milder tartness, is another possible substitute, as is an aged cheddar, which pairs well with beef.
While blue cheese is loved by many for its strong, pungent aroma and versatility, it is not to everyone's taste. Shaved parmesan, with its distinct flavour and texture, can be used to enhance various dishes and is a great alternative to blue cheese in recipes where a less intense flavour is desired.
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Sour cream or mayonnaise
Sour cream and mayonnaise are often used as substitutes for blue cheese, especially when making blue cheese dressing. Blue cheese is a popular ingredient in salad dressings, dips, and sauces. It is also used in pasta dishes, such as gnocchi and ravioli, and as a topping for steak.
Sour cream is a cultured dairy product made by fermenting regular cream or lower-fat milk with lactic acid bacteria. This process thickens the cream and gives it a tangy flavour. Sour cream is often used as a topping for cooked or raw dishes, and it is a common ingredient in dips and dressings. It can also be used in fillings for dishes like crepes, ravioli, burritos, and enchiladas.
Mayonnaise, on the other hand, is made from eggs and oil and usually does not contain dairy. It has a creamy, spreadable texture and a tangy flavour similar to sour cream. Mayonnaise is a good substitute for those with dairy allergies. It is also high in fat, which helps to achieve a similar texture and mouthfeel to blue cheese in recipes.
When making blue cheese dressing, a combination of sour cream and mayonnaise is often used as a base, with blue cheese and other ingredients added for flavour. This dressing can be used as a dip or thinned out with milk, buttermilk, or water to make a pourable salad dressing.
In addition to sour cream and mayonnaise, other substitutes for blue cheese include Gorgonzola, Roquefort, feta, goat cheese, and aged cheddar. These cheeses can be used in similar ways to blue cheese, such as in salads, pasta dishes, or as a topping for meat.
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Ranch dressing
However, there are some differences in how they are made that set them apart in both taste and texture. For example, ranch dressing typically contains herbs such as dill, parsley, and chives, while blue cheese dressing contains crumbled blue cheese and vinegar. Blue cheese dressing, while also tangy, has a more pungent and bitter flavour and thicker consistency because of the blue cheese crumbles.
Blue cheese dressing, on the other hand, has a stronger flavour, so it is a great choice for dishes with stronger or spicier flavours, such as spicy buffalo wings or a steak. It can also be mixed into macaroni and potato-based dishes.
If you're looking for a substitute for blue cheese, you could try ranch dressing, or even a blend of the two, as they are often served together. A popular choice for a milder flavour is Gorgonzola, an Italian unskimmed cow's milk cheese named after the town of Gorgonzola in northern Italy. It has a creamier texture with less blue-green marbling than other blue cheeses and a more mild flavour.
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Gorgonzola or Roquefort
Gorgonzola and Roquefort are both types of blue cheese. Gorgonzola is a specific type of cow's milk blue cheese originating from Italy, particularly the regions of Piedmont and Lombardy. It is one of the world's oldest blue cheeses, with a history dating back to the Middle Ages. It has a distinctive blue veining, a robust, tangy flavour, and a creamy texture. Its consistency can range from soft and spreadable to firm, depending on the length of its ageing process, and its colour may vary from bluish-grey to greenish-blue. Gorgonzola Dolce is sweet and creamy, while Gorgonzola Piccante is firmer, more crumbly, and has a stronger, spicier flavour.
Roquefort, on the other hand, is a French blue cheese made from sheep's milk. It has a strong, salty flavour that is similar to traditional blue cheese, and a creamy, rich texture. It is considered the "King of blue cheese" due to its sharp and intense flavour, as well as its high salt content.
Both Gorgonzola and Roquefort can be used as substitutes for other types of blue cheese. They can be crumbled over salads, melted on pizzas or burgers, or used as dips for vegetables, crackers, or fruit. However, when substituting one type of blue cheese for another in recipes, it is important to consider the flavour intensity and texture of each variety as they can differ significantly.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several options that can be used to replace blue cheese. These include feta, goat cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, shaved parmesan, gorgonzola, and roquefort.
Some non-dairy alternatives to blue cheese include yoghurt, hummus, and nuts such as walnuts, almonds, and pistachios.
Blue cheese has a strong, pungent aroma and distinctive blue veins that can be intimidating to those who have never tried it before.
Blue cheese is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of recipes. It is often used in salads, pasta dishes, burgers, and as a dip for vegetables or chicken wings.
