Cheese And Tacos: Perfect Pairing For A Delicious Snack

Tacos are a traditional combination of meat and vegetables in a fresh flour or corn tortilla. Cheese is also a popular ingredient for tacos, especially in Tex-Mex cuisine. The best cheese for tacos is a queso fresco or cotija that's been crumbled atop freshly grilled meat nestled in a warm corn tortilla. However, authentic Mexican tacos usually don't have any cheese at all. If you're looking for melty cheeses, asadero, Chihuahua, Oaxaca, and Manchego are good options.

Crumbly vs melty cheeses

When it comes to choosing the right cheese for your tacos, you might want to consider whether you prefer a crumbly or a melty cheese. Crumbly cheeses are often used as toppings, while melty cheeses are ideal for quesadillas and other dishes where the cheese needs to bind the ingredients together.

Crumbly Cheeses

Queso fresco, cotija, and queso de cincho are examples of crumbly cheeses that can be crumbled atop freshly grilled meat nestled in a warm corn tortilla. Queso fresco, which translates to "fresh cheese," is similar to feta in that it is fresh, crumbly, and white. You can find both salty and non-salty versions, and it is often used as a topping for dips like guacamole or other appetizers. Cotija is another popular Mexican white cheese that is aged and has a dry and crumbly texture. It is sharp, salty, and similar to Parmesan. It is often used as a topping for grilled street corn (Elote), but can also be added to salads, soups, or beans.

Melty Cheeses

If you're looking for a cheese that melts well, asadero, Chihuahua (also known as Chester), Oaxaca, and Manchego (made from cow's milk) are good options. These cheeses are ideal for quesadillas, tacos, or other dishes where you want the cheese to melt and bind the ingredients together. For example, Oaxaca cheese, a type of white string cheese that is quite soft, is a popular choice for fillings. It melts very easily, making it a key ingredient in recipes like enchiladas and chili relleno. Manchego, while sharing the same name as a Spanish cheese made from goat's milk, is made with cow's milk and is easy to shred and melt. It can be enjoyed on its own as a snack or used in quesadillas.

Vegan cheese options

There are several vegan cheese options that can be used in tacos. Here are some suggestions:

Cashew Cheese

A popular option for vegan cheese is cashew cheese, which can be made by soaking cashews overnight and then blending them with water, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, and garlic salt. This creates a spreadable cheese that can be used on tacos or as a dip. Some recipes also include spices like cumin and chili powder to add a Mexican flavor.

Sweet Potato Sauce

For a dairy-free cheese sauce, a blend of cooked sweet potato, carrots, onions, vegetable broth, white beans, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and spices can be used. This sauce has a creamy texture and can be used on tacos, nachos, or in mac and cheese.

Hummus

Hummus can be a great vegan alternative to cheese in tacos. It can be used as a spread or added to other ingredients like avocados, rice, or corn to create a cheesy flavor.

Store-Bought Vegan Cheese

There are also several store-bought options for vegan cheese that can be shredded or melted on tacos. Some popular brands include Violife and Daiya.

Avocado

Avocados are a simple and healthy option to replace cheese in tacos. They can be mashed with salt, pepper, and lime to create a creamy and tangy texture similar to cheese.

Other Options

In addition to these options, there are also recipes for vegan cheese made with tahini, carrots, or potatoes. Freezing cheese is also an option to extend its shelf life and ensure you never run out.

The best store-bought shredded Mexican blends

While authentic Mexican tacos don't usually have cheese, cheese is a popular ingredient in tacos, especially in Tex-Mex cuisine. If you're looking for a shredded Mexican cheese blend, you can find many options at your local grocery store. Here are some of the best store-bought shredded Mexican blends to consider:

Velveeta Mexican Style Blend

Velveeta Shreds are known for their excellent melting properties. While it is not a cheese per se but rather a "shredded pasteurized prepared cheese product", it can be a good choice for those seeking a creamy, melty texture. However, it lacks specificity regarding the types of Mexican cheeses it aims to emulate.

Field Roast Chao Creamery Plant-Based Shreds Mexican Style Blend

For vegan taco lovers, the Chao plant-based shreds offer a pleasant, slightly vegetal flavour with a peppery kick. While they can be a bit grainy when eaten cold, they shine when paired with seasoned veggie crumbles in a crunchy corn shell, making for a memorable vegan taco experience.

Great Value Taco Blend

Walmart's Great Value Taco Blend is a shredded Mexican cheese with a twist. It comes pre-spiced with taco seasoning, adding a unique flavour to your tacos. While it may seem unconventional, it delivers on taste and is a good option if you want your tacos to have an extra kick of seasoning.

Tillamook Mexican 4 Cheese Farmstyle Thick Cut

This premium shredded Mexican cheese blend from Tillamook features a beautiful balance of cheddar, Monterey Jack, queso quesadilla, and asadero cheeses. While the thick-cut ribbons may be better suited for nachos and quesadillas than tacos, it boasts an impressive resemblance to freshly shredded cheese.

Trader Joe's Fancy Shredded Mexican Style Cheese Blend

Trader Joe's Fancy Shredded Mexican Style Cheese Blend stands out for its sharpness, with a more prominent cheddar flavour. It still maintains the creaminess and tang that characterise a good Mexican blend, making it a solid choice for those who enjoy a sharper taco cheese.

Kraft Mexican Style Four Cheese Blend

Kraft's Mexican Style Four Cheese Blend is a winner when it comes to creaminess. This fine shred blend of Monterey Jack, cheddar, asadero, and queso quesadilla cheeses melts effortlessly, even on a warm taco. It has a mild saltiness that enhances the overall flavour, making it a delightful choice for those seeking a creamy, salty cheese to complement their tacos.

Authentic Mexican tacos and cheese

Tacos are a traditional Mexican dish that combines meat and vegetables in a fresh flour or corn tortilla. Cheese is also a popular ingredient, especially in Tex-Mex cuisine. However, it is worth noting that authentic Mexican tacos typically do not include cheese. The addition of cheese to a taco may be more common in regions close to the US border, as well as in certain styles of taco, such as the quesabirria or the taco de papas.

When it comes to choosing a cheese for your tacos, there are several varieties that are commonly used in Mexican cuisine. For a melty cheese, you could try asadero, Chihuahua (also known as Chester), Oaxaca, or Manchego. These cheeses are ideal if you want a gooey, stringy texture in your tacos. If you're looking for something with a crumbly texture, consider using queso fresco, cotija, or queso de cincho. These cheeses will add a salty, tangy flavour to your tacos.

One popular type of taco that does include cheese is the carne asada taco. This variety typically features flank steak, avocado, onion, cotija cheese, and fresh cilantro, all piled into a tortilla. The cotija cheese adds a salty, savoury note to the fresh ingredients in this style of taco.

While cheese is not traditional in authentic Mexican tacos, it can be a delicious addition, especially if you choose a Mexican variety. Experiment with different types of cheese to find your favourite, and don't be afraid to get creative with your taco fillings!

The most-used cheese in Mexico

Mexico has a rich history of cheese-making, with a variety of cheeses now being produced in the country. While cheese was introduced to Mexico by Spanish conquistadors, who brought cattle, goats, and sheep, as well as cheesemaking techniques, Mexico has since developed its own unique cheeses.

Cheese is a popular ingredient in Mexican cuisine, especially in tacos and quesadillas. So, which is the most-used cheese in Mexico?

Cotija cheese is one of the most commonly used varieties in Mexico. It is a white, dry, and crumbly cheese with a salty, sharp flavour similar to Parmesan. Cotija is a popular topping for enchiladas, tacos, beans, salads, and soups. It is named after a town in the state of Michoacán.

Another popular Mexican cheese is Queso Fresco, which translates to "fresh cheese". It is similar to feta cheese in that it is fresh, crumbly, and white, and comes in both salty and non-salty versions. Queso Fresco is often used as a topping for dips, such as guacamole, or other appetizers.

Other commonly used Mexican cheeses include Panela, a hard, smooth, and salty cheese made with skim milk; Requesón, a mild and spreadable cheese similar to ricotta or cottage cheese; and Manchego, a light yellow cheese made with cow's milk that is easy to shred and melt.

While not traditionally Mexican, Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses are also commonly used in Tex-Mex cuisine and can be found in many Mexican recipes.

Frequently asked questions