However, this type of cheese can go bad quickly. Whatever the reason is, it is always a good idea to know what other cheeses or ingredients can go well in a recipe in place of farmer’s cheese.
What Is Farmer’s Cheese?
Farmer’s cheese is made from cow’s milk, goat’s milk, or sheep’s milk. It is essentially pressed cottage cheese, which is created by using bacteria to coagulate and acidify the milk. As a result, this cheese is soft and can often be used as a spread.
This type of cheese is lightly salted and has a mild tanginess. Often, farmer’s cheese is used in desserts, such as cheesecake, or as a snack with fruit, or in crackers.
Many people make this cheese at home, through skimming the cream of milk that is boiled on the stove, then strained carefully to remove the whey.
What Can I Replace Farmer’s Cheese With?
If you don’t want to do it yourself or can’t find any anywhere, use these farmer’s cheese substitutes instead:
#1. Ricotta
Usually considered an alternative for many other kinds of cheese, ricotta is a soft and mild cheese that is made from the whey of cow’s milk or sheep’s milk.
Often, the milk is used to make other cheese, and the whey is reserved for ricotta. This cheese is common in pasta dishes, such as lasagna, ravioli, or manicotti.
Ricotta is a common cheese, so you can find it in grocery stores or delicatessens. You can replace farmer’s cheese for equal parts of ricotta, but consider that you may need to add more salt.
This fresh cheese is common in Indian cuisine and the Middle East. Paneer is a soft, unaged, non-melting cheese with a strong acidity – thanks to the curdling of the milk with lemon juice. This cheese is used as a vegetarian alternative, as it can become crunchy when fried or sauteed.
You can find paneer in some grocery stores, but it may be easier to find one in specialty stores or organic supermarkets. You can replace farmer’s cheese for the same amount of paneer, but keep in mind that it is not salted at all.
#3. Neufchâtel
From the Normandy region of France, this cheese is a traditional breakfast item and sometimes eaten as part of desserts.
Neufchâtel is soft and crumbly, but it is also a bit tangier than farmer’s cheese. You can use it in place of farmer’s cheese, but keep in mind that the texture is a bit less soft and the taste is not as salty.
Neufchâtel is often used in place of cream cheese for bagels, bread, or sandwiches, which is why it can be found in many grocery stores or delicatessens. It is also a healthier option than other cheeses because it has a low-fat content.
#4. Queso Blanco
This traditional Mexican cheese has become widely popular in many places because it is soft, mild, and very creamy. Often, this cheese is used to top soups, salads, and meat dishes in Mexican and Latin American cuisines.
You can buy Queso Blanco in many grocery stores, but if it is not available, you can try a Mexican or Latin American specialty store.
To substitute farmer’s cheese, we suggest you use the same amount of this cheese, but make sure you like the flavor, as some people find it too tangy. The texture and taste are very similar to paneer, so it can also be used as the main protein instead of meat.
#5. Goat Cheese
Though slightly more tart, goat cheese can be used instead of farmer’s cheese, as it is made in a very similar process that uses an acid, such as lime juice or rennet, during fermentation.
The texture is less soft and more crumbly. It is commonly used in Mediterranean cuisines and has now become a popular choice for those looking for a higher protein and lower fat content cheese.
Some recipes won’t work well with goat cheese, such as sweet desserts, but you can use it in salads, as a topping for foods, and as a dip. You can use the same amount of goat cheese, but consider the texture change and the tartness.
You can buy goat cheese in bulk to save more money. You can also freeze goat cheese for later use.
#6. Harvati
Also made from curdled milk that has been cooked with rennet, this is a Danish cheese that comes from cow’s milk. It is semi-soft and slightly acidic but has buttery aroma and taste.
This cheese is extremely popular in the vegetarian community, as it can be prepared in many ways and used as a protein alternative.
Since it is not completely soft, using Harvati may have to be reserved for specific dishes, such as salads, soups, or stews.
This cheese can be bought in most grocery stores, organic markets, and some farmer’s markets, but keep in mind that this cheese is not white, but yellow.
FAQs
Is farmer’s cheese the same as cottage cheese?
Think of farmer’s cheese as a variant of cottage cheese, which is made by pressing the whey from the curds, instead of just draining. The result is a more acidic cheese with a firmer and softer texture.
What is the difference between a farmer’s cheese and ricotta?
Ricotta has a milder flavor than farmer’s cheese. It is also a bit drier, and it is not as a salty either. Farmer’s cheese is considered a spread cheese, that is salty and soft, while ricotta is often used for stuffing pasta and desserts.
Can I substitute farmer’s cheese for cream cheese?
In some cases, yes, you can substitute farmer’s cheese for cream cheese. Some of these situations include, in the process of making some sweet desserts, like cheesecake, or in using it as a spread for bread or with crackers. Cream cheese lacks the texture and tartness, though.
Conclusion
Many people like to make farmer’s cheese at home since the process is relatively quick and easy. However, these days, having the time and putting in the effort may seem crazy, so instead of having to find it in grocery stores, why not use one of these 6 choices?
These are all great choices that bring a unique taste to your dish and may become a regular in your kitchen.
Juliana has a BA in Journalism and Creative Writing as well as a M.S. in Nutrition, Dietetics, and Sensory Sciences. She loves traveling, trying new foods, and cooking. When she isn’t busy working, you can find her running with her dog Milo or reading a book in the sun.
