18 Amazing And Illustrative Feta Cheese Substitutes That You Must Try

Are you wondering for Feta Cheese Substitute? Feta cheese is one of the most sought-after cheeses. The cheese is bright white and is made from a mixture of sheep’s and goat’s milk. It is generally very soft and compact with a crumbly texture.

The cheese has Greek origins and is generally used as a top for salads and wraps but is more famous for pizzas and burgers.

Feta cheese is high in vitamins K, A, and B. It also has a significant amount of calcium and sodium. It is slightly salty and tangy, making it the perfect finish for most salty dishes.  

Feta cheese is perfect in many instances and goes with a lot of dishes. Here are 18 cheese substitutes to use instead of Feta cheese and how to substitute them.

Quick Table: Feta Cheese Substitutes

Substitutes For Feta Cheese

1. Goat Cheese

Goat cheese is the closest cheese to feta cheese available in the food industry. It is similar to feta cheese which has over 40% of goat’s milk. The similarities also extend to the taste; they are both creamy and mouthful when chewed in. 

Depending on the recipe in question, the cheese can be used while soft, hard, fresh or left to age to a fine smooth taste. Similar in texture, it also has a crumble texture to it. 

How To Substitute

Goat cheese has a tangy flavor similar to feta cheese and will generally behave the same when used in different recipes. When substituting the cheese, use it in a ratio of 1:1 for burgers and salads and especially on Pizzas.

2. Cotija

Cotija cheese is a Mexican cheese made from 100% cow’s milk. Its classic name tells of its rich history and its name. It is white and has a firm, almost hard texture to it. It has a combined flavor of both salty and milky. 

When made fresh to eat, it tastes like a milder form of feta cheese, although it is more comparable to parmesan cheese when aged.

Cotija salad is perfect for tacos and burgers. Avoid using it for ready-to-eat salads as it needs to be heated under a strong fire to become bubbly and melt (it doesn’t melt all that well). 

How To Substitute

Cotija cheese has a strong salty flavor and is similar to feta cheese. When replacing it for Mediterranean dishes or Greek salad, use the same amount or a ratio of one to one as there is not much difference in the cheeses.

3. Halloumi

Halloumi cheese is perfect for any salad as it is very mild and has a surprisingly sweet taste. Compared to feta cheese, it is considered mild, although it is considerably tangy than feta.

Still, it is not so strong to cause distress and gives just the right kind of kick.

The Greek cheese also has a sweet taste to it that makes it ideal to be enjoyed as a snack. It can be cut into salads or used as toppings in casseroles without the need to melt it.

Looking at the cheese, it can easily be differentiated from feta as it has a smooth and almost silky texture.

How To Substitute

If you are looking for cheese for a sweeter version of feta cheese, then the halloumi cheese is the right one. When substituting, it uses a 1-to-1 ratio. For pizzas, expect it to taste a little sweeter, though.

4. Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is a cheese similar in texture to feta cheese but has a mellow flavor. When looking for a cheese with low-fat content, then cottage cheese is the way to go.

On the plus side, the higher the fat content of the cheese, the milkier and creamier it will taste.

Although it will be perfect for your diet, it crumbles easily and looks more like large chunks of huge cream, perfect for creamy, cheesy recipes.

The cheese is an excellent substitute for feta cheese, although a great tip to go by is to reduce the salt content the recipe is calling for, as it is a lot saltier. 

How To Substitute

Substituting cottage cheese for feta cheese calls for a ratio of one to one but with less salt added to the original recipe.

RELATED: The 7 Best Velveeta Cheese Substitutes

5. Queso Fresco

Queso Fresco is a Mexican cheese that tastes better the more it is left to age. In comparison to feta cheese, it is milder in taste. 

Queso fresco cheese going through the fermenting process is slightly tangy, making it a perfect topping for tacos (it’s widely used in most Mexican restaurants).

When biting into it, expect a mild and milky taste similar to cotija cheese.

How To Substitute

Queso fresco cheese makes an excellent substitute for sandwiches, tacos, burgers, and even Greek wraps in a ratio of 1:1. However, this is only possible if the cheese is rinsed in cold water to remove the salty and unique taste.

6. Roquefort

When seeking a little bit of color in your food, Roquefort is the cheese to pick. Blue cheese is similar to feta cheese in both flavor and texture.

However, aged Roquefort has a distinct taste that is slightly pungent combined with a sharp, sweet caramel taste. 

How To Substitute

Blue cheese Roquefort is a strong-tasting cheese compared to feta cheese. The cheese is substituted differently depending on the purpose and the recipe in question. If the cheese is used for its taste, it is advisable to use a ¾ cup to a full cup of cheese. If it’s for the creaminess, then it’s a 1:1 substitute that is perfect, just with a little bit of sweetener.

7. Mizithra

Mizithra feels and even looks like feta cheese. It’s made from goat and sheep’s milk and follows the same process. However, the difference lies in how it tastes.

Mizithra is milky and extremely sweet, differing from feta cheese which is relatively sharp and tangy.

The white and fluffy sweet cheese is mainly used in desserts and makes delicious appetizers. Surprisingly when dried, it is crumbly and relatively salty, making it one of the few kinds of cheese with different features.

How To Substitute

The substitute for feta cheese is 1:1. It’s a great substitute for those seeking a nutty sweet flavor instead of a tangy one. When fresh, it can be used on fruit or as a side dish when dried.

8. Ricotta

When craving sweets and savory dishes, ricotta cheese is the perfect cheese. Due to its creamy and mild taste, it offers a fluffy mouthful feel with every bite. What makes it a superior cheese is the low salt content.

Note that the cheese has high moisture content and needs considerable time to be cured or dried in an oven to make it harder. The process makes it harder, with a sharp taste that makes the cheese come alive, especially when melted.

How To Substitute

Ricotta cheese is similar to feta cheese, especially in its taste, except for its high moisture. To substitute feta, use it in a ratio of 1:1. It is perfect for sweet-flavored recipes.

RELATED: The Best 6 Manchego Cheese Substitutes

9. Camembert

Camembert cheese is big buttery cheese that is presented as a small wheel. It is richer in flavor than feta cheese with an intense flavor.

The French original cheese wheel is made from cow’s milk and soft-ripened to make for a creamy texture. The more the cheese is ripened, the more nitty, milky, and fruity the cheese will be.

How To Substitute

Camembert cheese is a blooming cheese that is perfect for a casserole, burger, pizza, and any other bubbly dish. Although it is sweeter and mimics many flavors, it is substituted with feta in a ratio of 1:1.

10. Tofu

When seeking a cheese that will crumble just as easily as feta cheese, tofu takes first prize. Tofu, a soy product, is 100% vegan. It comes in two types: firm and soft tofu.

Unlike feta cheese, tofu needs some seasoning to make it taste better as it has a highly mild, almost bland taste leaning to the sour side.

With the right ingredients, it can be sweet, savory, and even crunchy and perfect to be incorporated into many recipes.

How To Substitute

When it comes to taste, tofu tastes more aligned with feta cheese than any other kind of cheese and thus can be substituted in a ratio of 1:1.

11. Gorgonzola

Gorgonzola is one of the few blue kinds of cheese that makes for a great feta cheese substitute.  The taste, although similar, is a bit stronger in flavor than feta and is often described as rustic and nestle.

To others, the cheese has a full earth flavor that is more of a salty side. Its texture is also significantly creamy and smoother, making it particularly suitable for all your pasta needs.

How To Substitute

Substituting Gorgonzola for feta calls for a ratio of 1:1 for soups and casseroles. Be prepared for a stronger but smoother and creamier flavor.

12. Mozzarella

When you think of mozzarella cheese, the forty things that come to mind, it is pizza night. Compared to feta cheese, it is less tangy, has a milder taste, and is also a bit sweeter.

The taste is milky and grassy, with a hint of tanginess.  When biting into it, expect a cool effect as the cheese melts in your mouth.

How To Substitute

Mozzarella cheese is the perfect sunset for pizzas or sandwiches; low in sodium and less tangy than cheese. Substitution is on a ratio of 1:1 but expect a higher moisture content.

RELATED: Want A Substitute For Ricotta Cheese? We Have 5 Options!

13. Almond Cheese

Almond cheese is nutty flavored and closely resembles feta cheese when it comes to its texture. It is made from almond cheese and is perfect for those seeking an animal-free cheese alternative. 

If you have unexplained food allergies, try almond cheese. Apart from tasting nitty, it is soft to the touch, creamy, and savory.

How To Substitute

The lactose-free cheese taste, texture, and behaviors are similar to feta cheese and can be substituted in a ratio of 1:1.

14. Panela Cheese

Another Mexican cheese to use instead of feta cheese is Pamela. The white cheese mimics feta in terms of taste, just a bit sourer. Its texture, on the other hand, is different and is particularly rubbery.

How To Substitute

Pamela cheese is a Mexican cheese that can be substituted in a ratio of 1:1.

15. Cashew Cheese

Cashew cheese is deeply flavored, and nutty but manages to be mild.  In terms of texture, the cheese is crumbly and similar to feta cheese. Most cashew homemade cheese is spreadable and perfect for making dips or sauces. 

The vegan cheese is very soft, does not hold up and can’t be used in place of other cheeses for pizza, such as mozzarella or cheddar.  

How To Substitute

Cashew cheese is creamy and indulgent and a perfect substitute for feta in soups. Rich in its nutty taste, it is easy to melt due to its high-fat content. It is substituted in a ratio of 1:1.

16. Sharp Cheddar

Sharp Cheddar is a creamy, spicy cheese perfect for a grilled cheese sandwich. It’s great for making homemade macaroni and cheese and is a perfect complement to fruit and veggies.

It is hard-aged cheese, full of flavor and crunch. This sharp and tangy flavor is a great snack to enjoy by the pool or beach.

The cheddar has a sharp, tangy flavor often enjoyed on crackers or in sandwiches. The texture of this cheese is firm and smooth, with a granular rind that gives it a sharp and crumbly bite.

How To Substitute

When cooking with feta cheese, it is essential to substitute a less expensive and less acidic cheese, such as sharp cheddar, to avoid causing off flavors in the dish.

17. Homemade Vegan Feta

Feta has a pleasantly tart flavor. It is made with almond milk, lemon juice, sea salt, black pepper, and nutritional yeast.

It is made with cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic, sea salt, and tapioca flour. The recipe for homemade cheese is an excellent alternative to the feta cheese you might be used to. 

It’s made with plant-based ingredients and is a healthy vegan food you can enjoy on a sandwich or as a topping for your favorite salad.

How To Substitute

Homemade vegan feta is the perfect cheese substitute for any recipe that calls for feta. It is rich and creamy but not as salty as regular feta. It’s easy to make and can be flavored with whatever herbs or spices you have.

18. Nutritional Yeast

Nutritional yeast is a natural, flavorful, gluten-free, and vegan protein source that is made by a process called fermentation. The fermentation process makes the yeast doughy, sour, and nutty in taste.

It’s used to make vegan cheese, cream sauces, and many other dishes, but the best way to eat it is to add it to soups and other recipes that boost flavor.

How To Substitute

In the time it takes to grate a block of feta, you can make this quick and easy vegan substitute. Just replace the feta with nutritional yeast. The product is commonly used as a substitute for cheese in other recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Does Feta Cheese Taste? 

Feta cheese is so tasty as it has a slightly salty flavor that combines well with its tanginess. However, what makes it stand out is it acquires a peppery taste the more it ages. 

What’s An Excellent Non-Dairy Substitute For Feta Cheese?

Several substitutes can be used in place of feta cheese, such as cashew cheese or almond cheese. Please note that although they are great substitutes for feta cheese, they cannot be substituted for all types of cheese.

Can You Eat Feta Raw?

Generally, feta cheese is eaten raw or uncooked, although there are recipes that call for the cheese to be cooked. To enjoy raw feta cheese, sprinkle it on salads, top or over sandwiches, or mix it in dips.

How Long Can Feta Cheese Last?

Feta cheese lasts up to one month when left unopened. When opened, it will serve you for about a week before it goes bad. When soaked in brine, it can last for six months when unopened. 

15 Amazing Feta Cheese Substitutes

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

3

hours 

20

minutes

Total time

3

hours 

30

minutes

Feta cheese is a delicious, tangy cheese that is used in many recipes. If you are looking for a substitute, we have the best options for you.

Ingredients

• Goat cheese

• Cotija

• Halloumi

• Cottage Cheese

• Queso Fresco

• Roquefort

• Mizithra

• Ricotta

• Camembert

• Tofu

• Gorgonzola

• Mozzarella

• Almond Cheese

• Panela Cheese

• Cashew Cheese

Directions

• Choose your favorite substitute from the list given above
• Follow the directions given in the recipe after having substituted the ingredient in the correct ratio.

Recipe Video

• Author
• Recent Posts

Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!

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