Frederic Melton
Whether it's due to dietary restrictions, personal preference, or simply a lack of availability, there are many reasons why one might need to replace goat cheese in a recipe. Fortunately, there are several alternatives that can be used instead, depending on the desired taste and texture. For those seeking a similar taste profile, feta, blue cheese, and parmesan are all salty and tangy options that can be crumbled or sprinkled over salads, roasted vegetables, or pasta dishes. For those who prefer the creamy texture of goat cheese, cream cheese, mascarpone, ricotta, and Greek yogurt can be used as substitutes in dips, dressings, and baked goods.
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What You'll Learn
Soft goat cheese alternatives
Soft goat cheese, also known as goat curd or chèvre, is a creamy and mildly tangy type of cheese. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes, from salads and pizzas to desserts and baked goods. If you're looking for a substitute for soft goat cheese, here are some alternatives you can consider:
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese has a similar texture to soft goat cheese, although it is usually a little stiffer. It has a milder flavour and lacks the tangy taste of goat cheese. However, you can add a small amount of Greek yogurt to cream cheese to increase its tanginess and soften its texture. Cream cheese works well in pasta recipes, spreads, and cheesecakes.
Feta Cheese
Feta cheese is a Greek cheese made from sheep's milk or a combination of sheep and goat's milk. It has a crumbly texture and a salty, tangy flavour. Feta is a good substitute for soft goat cheese in salads, Mediterranean-inspired dishes, roasted vegetables, and pastries like Spanakopita.
Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta is a mild and creamy cheese that can be used as a substitute for soft goat cheese in spreads and stuffed vegetables. It has a loose texture, so it is best to use it in recipes where the cheese is spreadable or stuffed, rather than melted or baked. You can add salt to ricotta to enhance its flavour.
Mascarpone Cheese
Mascarpone is a rich, sweet, and creamy Italian cheese commonly used in desserts. It has a similar creamy texture to soft goat cheese but differs in flavour, as it is sweeter and less tangy. Mascarpone can also be used in savoury dishes, such as spreads or appetizers.
Tofu
Tofu is a fantastic dairy-free alternative to soft goat cheese. It has a neutral flavour and can easily absorb the flavours of other ingredients it is cooked with. For a crumbly texture similar to goat cheese, use firm or extra-firm tofu and combine it with cheesy seasonings like nutritional yeast or garlic salt. For a spreadable or creamy vegan substitute, silken tofu can be blended with salty or sweet additives.
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Hard goat cheese alternatives
Aged goat cheese has a strong flavour and a hard, flaky, crumbly texture. If you're looking for a substitute for this type of goat cheese, there are several options, depending on whether you want to prioritise flavour or texture.
Alternatives prioritising flavour
If you're looking for a similar flavour profile to aged goat cheese, try blue cheese, which can be made from goat, sheep, or cow's milk. Blue cheese is creamier and softer than goat's cheese, but it has a crumbly texture and strong flavour that is similar to aged goat cheese.
Alternatives prioritising texture
If you're looking for a hard cheese with a similar texture to aged goat cheese, you could try Emmental, Parmesan, or Manchego. Emmental is a cow's milk cheese with a mild, slightly sour flavour and a creamy, fatty, and hard texture. Parmesan is a hard cow's milk cheese with a strong, salty, nutty flavour. Manchego is a hard sheep's milk cheese with a slightly sweet flavour.
Other alternatives
If you're looking for a vegan alternative to hard goat cheese, you could try nuts such as almonds, pine nuts, pistachios, macadamias, or cashews. These will add a crunchy texture and a burst of flavour to your dish.
Alternatively, you could try adding a squeeze of lemon or lime juice to your dish to replicate the tangy flavour of goat cheese.
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Dairy-free alternatives
Tofu
Tofu can be used to make a dairy-free goat's cheese without the need for culturing or fermenting at home. It is a more cost-effective option than cashew nut cheese and is easier to work with as it doesn't need to be soaked ahead of time. The result is a creamy cheese with a crumbly texture that tastes tangy and fresh.
Nuts
A nut-based cheese is another option for a dairy-free alternative to goat cheese. This can include cashews, almonds, macadamia nuts, or a combination of these. The nuts are soaked and then blended with vinegar, lemon juice, the contents of a probiotic capsule, and water. This mixture is then left to culture at room temperature overnight before being transferred to the refrigerator.
Olives
Olives can be used as a dairy-free and vegan alternative to goat cheese to add a salty burst of flavor to a dish.
Feta
Feta is a Greek cheese with a similar taste and texture to goat cheese. It is a bit firmer and saltier than goat cheese, so it is best to use a little less when substituting. Feta works well as a substitute in salads and Greek dishes.
Fromage Blanc
Fromage blanc is a French cheese with a similar texture to cream cheese but a milder, slightly tart flavor. It is best used as a substitute in recipes where goat cheese is not the star ingredient due to its milder flavor.
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Salty flavour alternatives
If you're looking for salty flavour alternatives to goat cheese, feta is a great option. It has a crumbly texture and a salty tang, making it an excellent stand-in for goat cheese in many dishes. It is particularly good in salads and Mediterranean-inspired recipes. You can crumble it over roasted vegetables or use it in a spinach pie for a delicious twist. However, be mindful of the salt content and be prepared to use less seasoning in your dish.
Another option is halloumi, which has a significantly harder and more crumbly texture than goat cheese. It has a much saltier flavour but provides a similar substance and cheesy goodness. Shaved parmesan also has a stronger, more savoury flavour profile than goat cheese. It has a harder and drier texture but will add similar bursts of flavour to your dish.
If you're looking for a dairy-free and vegan alternative, a handful of olives can provide a salty burst of flavour. For texture and a big flavour hit, roast almonds or other nuts like pistachios, macadamias, or cashews will take your dish in a different direction but won't lack flavour or crunch.
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Tangy flavour alternatives
If you're looking for tangy flavour alternatives to goat cheese, there are a few options to consider.
First is feta cheese, which has a crumbly texture and a salty tang. It is a good substitute texturally and flavour-wise without the gaminess. It is also the closest in terms of macronutrient makeup, with a high protein and low-fat content. Feta is a great option if you're looking for a low-fat, low-carb alternative. You can use it in salads, pastries, pasta, and dips.
Another option is cream cheese, which offers a similar creamy texture to fresh goat cheese. It is milder in flavour but can be blended with herbs and a touch of lemon juice to mimic the tanginess of goat cheese. Cream cheese works well in cheesecakes and as a spread.
Greek yogurt is also a tangy alternative to goat cheese. It has a thicker texture and a tangy flavour, making it a great healthy substitute. It works well in dips, dressings, baked goods, and creamy sauces. To enhance its flavour, you can add a squeeze of lemon juice.
If you're looking for a dairy-free option, tofu is a fantastic substitute. It has a neutral flavour and can easily absorb any flavour you marinade, bake, or saute it with. You can create a crumbly goat cheese-like texture by using firm or extra-firm tofu and combining it with cheesy seasonings like nutritional yeast or garlic salt.
Lastly, blue cheese is another alternative with a similar crumbly texture to goat cheese. It is made from goat's milk, sheep's milk, or cow's milk, and the fresh variety is recommended as a substitute.
These options will provide you with tangy flavour alternatives to goat cheese, depending on your preferences and specific use case.
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Frequently asked questions
Feta cheese is a great substitute for goat cheese in a salad. It has a crumbly texture and a salty tang, which makes it an excellent stand-in for goat cheese.
Greek yoghurt is a great substitute for dips and dressings. It has a thick texture and a tangy flavour. You can also use labneh, a Middle Eastern strained yoghurt cheese, which has a texture and tanginess similar to goat cheese.
Mascarpone, a sweeter and richer Italian cream cheese, is a good option for desserts. Tofu is another alternative, especially if you are looking for a vegan substitute.
