Bushra Griffith
While cheese is not a common ingredient in traditional Mexican tacos, it is now a popular addition, especially in Tex-Mex cuisine. The best cheese for street tacos depends on personal preference, but common choices include cotija, queso fresco, queso añejo, queso asadero, queso de Oaxaca, and crema. Cotija is a dry, crumbly, salty cheese with a strong flavour, resembling feta or parmesan. Queso fresco is a crumbly, fresh, lightly salted cow's milk cheese. Queso añejo is the aged version of queso fresco, with a harder texture and a sharper flavour. Queso asadero is a mild-flavoured melting cheese, similar to queso Oaxaca. Queso de Oaxaca is a creamy, mildly-flavoured melting cheese, resembling mozzarella. Crema is a naturally-sourced, thickened cream, similar to a combination of sour cream and crème fraîche.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Cotija, Feta, Queso Fresco, Queso Añejo, Queso Asadero, Queso de Oaxaca, Crema, Chihuahua, Cheddar |
| Texture | Crumbly, moist, creamy, dry, melty |
| Taste | Salty, mild, sharp, tangy |
| Origin | Mexico |
| Use | Topping, garnish, filling, taco shell |
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What You'll Learn
Crumbly vs melty cheese
While cheese is not a common ingredient in traditional Mexican tacos, it is often included in taco recipes in Tex-Mex cuisine. Crumbly and melty cheeses can be used in tacos in different ways.
Crumbly Cheese
Queso fresco, literally meaning "fresh cheese", is a soft, moist, and crumbly whole milk cheese that is commonly used in Mexican cuisine. It is often sold wrapped in a banana leaf or corn husk and can vary in saltiness. Queso fresco is perfect for sprinkling over tacos, beans, and salads. Queso añejo, or "old cheese", is aged queso fresco with a harder and drier texture. It is often served crumbled over enchiladas. Cotija is another aged cheese with a strong salty flavor, making it an ideal topping for tacos, beans, and salads. At room temperature or colder, it has a dry and crumbly texture, but it will soften slightly when warmed. Feta is another crumbly cheese that can be used in tacos.
Melty Cheese
A mild cheese that melts easily, such as queso asadero, queso de Oaxaca, or queso menonita, can be placed on top of a flour tortilla as it is grilling. When the tortilla is crispy and the cheese has melted, the meat and vegetables are added, and the tortilla is folded in half to create a crispy, cheesy treat. Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and mozzarella are other melty cheeses that are commonly used in American Mexican restaurants. To make a cheese taco shell, cheddar cheese can be melted on a baking sheet until it forms a disk, which can then be shaped into a hard taco shell.
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Queso fresco
One popular recipe for street tacos with queso fresco includes steak, cabbage slaw, and salsa. The steak is seasoned with garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika, and cooked with Worcestershire sauce. Each tortilla is filled with queso fresco, steak, and cabbage slaw, and then served with salsa.
Another recipe for ground beef street tacos with queso fresco includes kale, pickled jalapeños, onion, and cilantro. The ground beef is seasoned with salt and pepper and cooked with the onion, cilantro, and jalapeños. The tortillas are brushed with oil and toasted until crispy, and then filled with the beef mixture, queso fresco, and other toppings.
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Cotija
When preparing street tacos with Cotija cheese, it is recommended to use mini tortillas, which are perfect for little hands and allow individuals to create their own tacos with their favourite toppings. Corn tortillas are a popular choice, but flour tortillas also work well. In addition to Cotija cheese, other common toppings for street tacos include cilantro, jalapeno, onion, avocado, and lime juice. These ingredients come together to create a versatile and flavourful dish that can be customised to suit individual preferences.
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Crema
While cheese is not a common ingredient in traditional Mexican tacos, crema is a popular topping for street tacos. Crema is a naturally-sourced, thickened cream that is a combination of American sour cream and French crème fraîche. It has a tangy, creamy flavour and adds a rich bite to soups, vegetables, and tacos.
Some recipes suggest adding garlic or garlic-infused olive oil to the crema for a more complex flavour. Other recipes suggest adding a touch of clove and cinnamon to the mix.
Lime crema is a popular choice for street tacos, and it can be purchased ready-made or made at home. It is a creamy lime sauce that combines well with salty, savoury meats. It can be drizzled over tacos, soups, and vegetables, or used as a dip or salad dressing.
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Chihuahua cheese
When using Chihuahua cheese in cooking, it is important to note that it has a mild flavor and may be better suited for dishes with stronger flavors. The cheese can be purchased pre-shredded or in blocks, and shredding the cheese from a block may improve its melting ability.
While some people enjoy using Chihuahua cheese in their recipes, others have found it flavorless or bland when used on its own. It is recommended to pair this cheese with seasoned or flavorful dishes to enhance its mild taste.
Overall, Chihuahua cheese is a versatile and popular option for those seeking a mild and melty cheese for their culinary creations, especially in Mexican cuisine.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several types of cheese that can be used for street tacos, including Cotija, Feta, Queso Fresco, and Queso Añejo.
Queso Fresco is a soft, moist, and crumbly Mexican cheese made from curdled milk. It is often used as a topping for dips, salads, and soups.
Queso Añejo is the aged version of Queso Fresco. It has a harder and drier texture and a sharper flavor due to the aging process.
Cotija is an aged, dry, and crumbly Mexican cheese with a strong salty flavor similar to Parmesan. It is a popular topping for beans, salads, and tacos.
Yes, you can use other types of cheese such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend. Some people also use queso asadero, queso de Oaxaca, or crema.
