Kamil Perry
Cotija cheese is a popular ingredient in Mexican and Latin cuisine. It is a firm, crumbly, dry-aged cow's milk cheese with a salty, tangy flavour. Cotija is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, from savoury to sweet. It is commonly sprinkled on top of tacos, enchiladas, elotes (Mexican street corn), bean and cheese tostadas, nachos, and salads. It can also be used as a garnish for soups or added to dishes like quesadillas, pasta, and even desserts. With its unique flavour and texture, Cotija cheese adds a punch of savoury, salty taste and a crumbly texture to a variety of dishes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Firm, crumbly, dry-aged, salty, tangy |
| Texture | Crumbly, maintains texture with heat |
| Taste | Salty, savory, tangy |
| Common Uses | Tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, nachos, elotes, bean and cheese tostadas, burritos, salads, pasta, soups, garnishes |
| Substitutes | Parmesan, feta, queso fresco, shredded Monterey Jack, queso blanco, Oaxaca cheese |
| Common Toppings | Cilantro, lime juice, chili powder, avocado, black beans, jalapenos |
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Tacos, nachos, and other Mexican dishes
Cotija cheese is a popular ingredient in Mexican and Latin dishes. It is a firm, crumbly, dry-aged cow's milk cheese with a salty, tangy flavour. It is often used as a garnish, adding a savoury, salty flavour and crumbly texture to a variety of foods. It can be used in place of Parmesan, feta, or Romano cheese. It is also similar to queso fresco, a Mexican cheese that refers to any number of crumbly or soft cheeses that have not been aged.
Cotija cheese is a great addition to tacos. You can set up a taco bar with warm homemade tortillas, pickled red onions, chopped cilantro, and a bowl of cotija cheese, which goes with almost any taco filling. You can also add some crema and avocado slices to make some tasty tacos for an easy weeknight dinner.
Nachos are another dish that can be made even better with cotija cheese. For the ultimate nachos, layer tortilla chips with beer-braised carnitas, black beans, and shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack. Bake until the cheese is melted and then sprinkle on some cotija cheese along with your other favourite toppings.
Cotija cheese is also commonly used in enchiladas. You can add it to creamy, veggie enchiladas with a charred tomatillo salsa verde, creamy pinto beans, and other cheeses. It can also be used in place of parmesan in chicken enchiladas with tomatillo sauce, lettuce, cilantro, crema, and shredded chicken.
Finally, cotija cheese is a popular topping for elotes, or Mexican street corn. Grill or boil an ear of corn and top it with sour cream or mayonnaise, cotija cheese, cilantro, lime juice, and ancho chilli powder.
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Salads
Cotija cheese is a popular salty and crumbly cheese used in many Mexican recipes to enhance savoury dishes. It is a great substitute for Parmesan and Feta cheese. It is often sprinkled on top of salads to add salt, fat, and umami.
Cotija cheese can be used in a variety of salads, such as a green salad with extra pepitas and crumbled Cotija cheese. It can also be used in a Mexican quinoa salad, a radicchio salad, or a tomato salad with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and yellow peppers.
For a light and tart vinaigrette, a combination of salty Cotija cheese and fresh garden lettuce is a perfect match. To make the vinaigrette, combine lime juice, shallots, and other ingredients of your choice. Before serving, sprinkle the salad with salted pumpkin seeds for extra texture and protein.
Cotija cheese can also be used to make a creamy salad dressing with cilantro, toasted pumpkin seeds, garlic, and roasted Anaheim chile peppers. This dressing can be drizzled over a variety of salads to add a Mexican-inspired flavour.
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Eggs and breakfast bowls
Cotija cheese is a great addition to eggs and breakfast bowls. Here are some ideas for incorporating it into your morning meal:
Scrambled Eggs
For a simple yet delicious option, try making scrambled eggs with cotija cheese. Whisk together eggs, milk, and spices like green chile spice blend or turmeric. Stir in minced red chile and crumbled cotija cheese. Cook the egg mixture in a skillet over medium heat, stirring with a spatula until the eggs are cooked to your liking. The high melting point of cotija cheese will give your scrambled eggs a unique flavour and texture. You can serve these scrambled eggs with a variety of sides, such as beans, potatoes, or toast.
Breakfast Tacos
If you're feeling adventurous, try making scrambled egg tacos with cotija cheese. Start by cooking vegetables like shallots, jalapenos, garlic, and spices. Then, add the egg mixture and sprinkle with black beans. Cook the eggs until they are set, and then scramble them with a wooden spoon. Serve the scrambled eggs in tortillas with cotija cheese sprinkled on top. These breakfast tacos are a fun and tasty way to start your day.
Breakfast Bowls
Create a hearty breakfast bowl by combining scrambled eggs with cotija cheese and a variety of ingredients. You can include beans, such as pinto or black beans, chorizo, potatoes, and vegetables. Season the bowl with spices like cumin and turmeric. Top it off with a generous amount of cotija cheese for added flavour and texture. Breakfast bowls are a great way to incorporate a variety of nutrients into your morning meal.
Frittatas
Frittatas are another excellent option for a breakfast or brunch dish. You can add cotija cheese to your frittata recipe for a unique flavour. Try combining the cheese with vegetables, meats, or other cheeses. Bake your frittata until it is set and golden, and then serve it in slices with a side salad or roasted potatoes. Frittatas are a versatile and impressive dish to share with family or friends during a leisurely morning meal.
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Pasta
Cotija cheese has a similar flavour profile to Parmigiano Reggiano, making it a great substitute for pasta dishes that traditionally use Parmesan, such as carbonara.
One recipe for a fusion carbonara-style pasta with Cotija cheese includes the following steps:
- Boil a pot of water with a tablespoon of coarse salt and add spaghetti, cooking until al dente.
- In a large bowl, stir together egg yolks, whole eggs, smoked salt, grated Cotija cheese, and diced poblano peppers.
- In a large pan, melt butter and vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Once the pasta is cooked, transfer it to the pan, stirring to combine with the butter and oil.
- Garnish with Cotija cheese and poblano peppers.
Another option is to make an Elote Pasta Carbonara, which combines the flavours of Elote with a creamy, saucy Italian-inspired pasta. This dish includes shrimp, cabbage, avocado, cilantro, and taco sauce, served over toasted corn tortillas.
Cotija cheese can also be used in pasta dishes such as macaroni, where it can be combined with mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, steak, and other cheeses.
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Soups
Cotija is a mild, salty cow's milk cheese, often referred to as the 'Parmesan of Mexico'. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including soups.
Cotija is a great addition to soups, providing a tangy, salty flavour and a crumbly texture. It can be used in traditional Mexican soups, such as pork pozole or tortilla soup, or in a Mexican street corn-style soup. It can be sprinkled on top of the soup as a garnish, or cooked into the soup itself.
For a Mexican street corn-style soup, blend frozen corn and heavy cream into the broth for a thick, smooth result. Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle over a generous amount of cotija, along with some chopped cilantro, lime wedges, and fresh jalapeño slices.
Another idea is to combine cotija cheese with crumbled tortilla chips, croutons, or crispy bacon as a soup topping medley. Cotija can also be added to any meat or veggie-based stew for a tangy upgrade. It pairs well with creamy soups, such as mushroom, chicken, or roasted tomato soup.
Cotija can also be used in place of Parmesan or Romano cheese in pasta dishes, such as lasagna. It can be sprinkled on top of pizzas or added to omelets for a salty, tangy flavour.
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Frequently asked questions
Cotija cheese is a firm, crumbly, salty cheese made from cow's milk. It is popular in Mexican and Latin dishes.
Cotija cheese is commonly added to Mexican dishes such as tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, nachos, and elotes (Mexican street corn). It can also be used in place of Parmesan cheese on pasta or sprinkled on salads.
Cotija cheese can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month.
