
Panela is a Mexican cheese with a mild flavour and soft, crumbly texture. It is made from pasteurised cow's milk and is typically consumed shortly after production. Panela is a rare cheese that keeps its shape when grilled or fried. It is often used in Mexican dishes such as enchiladas, tacos, or quesadillas, but can also be crumbled over salads.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Queso panela, queso canasta, queso de la canasta, queso blanco, queso fresco |
| Origin | Mexico |
| Texture | Soft and crumbly |
| Flavour | Mild with a hint of tanginess |
| Colour | White |
| Melting properties | Does not melt, only softens when heated |
| Uses | Frying, grilling, baking, garnishing, filling, topping |
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What You'll Learn
- Panela is a Mexican cheese, made from pasteurised cow's milk
- It's a fresh, firm, curd-style cheese with a mild flavour and soft texture
- Panela is a non-melting cheese, which means it can be grilled or fried without losing its shape
- It's used in Mexican dishes such as tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas and tostadas
- It can also be crumbled over salads

Panela is a Mexican cheese, made from pasteurised cow's milk
Panela is a Mexican staple, found in tacos, quesadillas, and enchiladas, but also works well crumbled atop salads. It is often used as a garnish or filling in its crumbled form, and can be sliced or diced and added to refried beans, tostadas, and tacos.
Panela is similar to the Indian cheese paneer, and is derived from the Greek word for basket cheese. It can be found in the Latin food section of most grocery stores, or you can look for queso blanco, queso fresco, or, in a pinch, feta.
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It's a fresh, firm, curd-style cheese with a mild flavour and soft texture
Queso panela is a Mexican cheese with a mild flavour and soft texture. It is a fresh, firm, curd-style cheese made from pasteurised cow's milk. It is similar to the Indian cheese paneer and is often used as a garnish or filling in its crumbled form. It is also suitable for grilling or frying without losing its shape, as it does not melt. It is typically consumed shortly after production and can be sliced or crumbled and added to salads, tacos, refried beans, tostadas, and quesadillas.
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Panela is a non-melting cheese, which means it can be grilled or fried without losing its shape
Queso panela, or panela cheese, is a Mexican fresh cheese made from pasteurised cow's milk. It is a curd-style cheese that is famous for its mild flavour and soft, crumbly texture. Panela is a non-melting cheese, which means it can be grilled or fried without losing its shape. It is often used in Mexican dishes such as enchiladas, tacos, or quesadillas. It can be sliced or crumbled and added to salads and tacos. It is also used as a garnish and as a filling in its crumbled form.
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It's used in Mexican dishes such as tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas and tostadas
Queso panela, or panela cheese, is a Mexican staple. It is a fresh, firm cheese made from pasteurised cow's milk. Panela is famous for its mild flavour and soft, crumbly texture. It is one of the rare cheeses that keeps its shape when grilled or fried, making it perfect for use in Mexican dishes such as tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas and tostadas.
Panela is often used as a garnish or filling in its crumbled form. It can be sliced or crumbled and added to salads and tacos. It is also great cubed over salad, sliced over refried beans, or in tostadas.
As it does not melt, panela is also well-suited to baking. It can be used in place of queso blanco, queso fresco, or even feta.
Panela is derived from the Greek word for 'basket cheese' and is similar to the Indian cheese paneer.
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It can also be crumbled over salads
Queso panela is a Mexican cheese made from pasteurised cow's milk. It is a fresh, firm cheese with a mild flavour and soft, crumbly texture. Panela is a rare cheese that keeps its shape when grilled or fried. It is often used in Mexican dishes such as enchiladas, tacos, or quesadillas. It can also be crumbled over salads. Panela is a curd-style cheese that does not melt and is best used diced or sliced into blocks. It is a smooth, white cheese with a tangy flavour.
Panela is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes. When crumbled, it can be used as a garnish or filling. It can also be sliced or cubed and added to salads, providing a soft and crumbly texture. The cheese's mild flavour and tanginess make it a good choice for salads, as it will not overpower the other ingredients.
When adding panela to a salad, it is important to consider the other ingredients and flavours. Panela pairs well with fresh, crisp vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers. It can also be combined with fruits such as apples or pears, adding a creamy texture and mild flavour. Nuts and seeds, such as walnuts or pumpkin seeds, can also be added to provide a crunchy contrast to the soft cheese.
Dressings and toppings can also be used to enhance the flavour of the panela. A light vinaigrette or balsamic dressing can add a tangy flavour that complements the cheese. Crumbled bacon or grilled chicken can also be added for a heartier salad.
Overall, panela is a delicious and versatile cheese that can be used to enhance the flavour and texture of salads. Its mild flavour and soft, crumbly texture make it a good choice for those who want to add a creamy element without overwhelming the other ingredients.
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Frequently asked questions
Panela is a Mexican cheese made from pasteurised cow's milk. It is a fresh, firm, curd-style cheese that does not melt and is often grilled or fried.
Panela has a mild flavour with a hint of tanginess.
Panela has a soft, crumbly texture.
Panela is a Mexican staple used in tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and salads. It can be sliced, crumbled, or diced.

























