12 Mouth-Watering Substitutes For Taleggio Cheese To Know

So, picture the following scenario. You’re in your kitchen. You’re preparing a great meal of Substitutes Taleggio Cheese for yourself, your friends, or your family.

Before checking your ingredients, you’re confident that you have all the right utensils, and you’re ready to begin, only to realize before you start that the recipe calls for Taleggio cheese.

And, as lady luck is away for the day, your pantry is fresh out of this cheese!

Are there any other types of cheeses that you do have that can be used instead?

Or, if you need to go to the nearest store, and they don’t have any either, what other cheeses can do the same job?

Given that Taleggio is a somewhat rarer cheese to source, this isn’t an unlikely scenario. So it pays to know what other cheese can work with your recipe in its place.

This is where our guide comes in.

Packed with more than enough substitutes for you to work with, as well as what qualities you’re looking for in an effective Taleggio cheese substitute, this little list of ours will serve your culinary needs well!

Quick Table: Taleggio Cheese Substitute

What Makes A Good Taleggio Cheese?

Before we start throwing cheeses from across the world at you, you probably want to know what exactly makes Taleggio such a distinct cheese in its own right, as well as the qualities that you need to be on the lookout for in your searches.

Origins

Taleggio is considered a semi-soft cheese to work and cook with and is one of the oldest varieties of this type of cheese that we know of in the world, with some recipes and records making note of it as far back as the 1200s.

Appearance & Texture

The cheese itself is named after the Italian valley where it was first made, Val Taleggio.

Once the hard rind of the cheese has been cut through, you can easily see the much softer inside that is spongy to the touch, thanks to the soaking and fermentation process that it goes through.

Taste & Cooking

The taste of this softer cheese is quite mild when compared to harder cheeses, and contains elements of fruity flavors alongside the tangy undertones.

However, where this cheese shines is when it is used in cooking.

The soft cheese melts very easily when mixed with heat and other ingredients, making it an ideal ingredient for using in pasta and rice recipes.

A good risotto that uses Taleggio is a treat that everyone should experience at least once!

Why Use A Replacement?

So, if this cheese is so perfect for cooking these types of dishes, why would you want to replace it with another cheese?

Well, as we’ve already mentioned, Taleggio isn’t the most widely purchased cheese in the United States and is nowhere near as common or easy to source as more popular soft cheeses like Camembert or mozzarella.

Whilst it may be possible to purchase Taleggio from a dedicated dairy store, you may struggle to find this Italian cheese in a normal supermarket.

Plus, some people, while they love the texture of this cheese, simply aren’t massive fans of the tangy flavor, and prefer something a little lighter, or vice versa.

1. Gruyère

So, if you’re looking for a Taleggio substitute that is easier to source, your first port of call should be Gruyère, a variety of Swiss cheese that is very popular across the world.

While the exact texture will vary depending on the maturity of the block of Gruyère, this Swiss cheese is generally slightly harder than Taleggio is.

However, it still has a mild, slightly tangy flavor to it, and melts beautifully into a variety of dishes, including many of the same recipes that traditionally use Taleggio.

Plus, and very crucially for buying it, Gruyère and other similar Swiss cheeses are generally a lot more popular and widely manufactured across the United States.

This means that you’re unlikely to have the same amount of trouble finding a block of this cheese in a typical store.

Overall, while Gruyère isn’t an ideal substitute for Taleggio, it is an adequate replacement for most of the latter’s cooking needs and is much easier to get a hold of for yourself.

How To Substitute

This is a great substitute for taleggio cheese because of its strong flavor. It is firm but not hard, with some amount of cream added. It can be used in place of different recipes.

2. Brie

Quite possibly one of the most iconic soft cheeses in the world, brie has become a go-to for cheese boards across the world, including across the United States.

This cheese is made from 100% cow’s milk and has a much milder and creamier flavor to it than Taleggio.

However, it has a very similar texture that makes it soft to touch and taste, which is what makes it so popular to eat with other cheese board foods such as crackers and various fruits.

However, brie also works amazingly as an incredibly gooey and runny cheese when it is heated or baked in an oven, where the spongy texture turns into a molten cheese that makes for an incredible dip.

Melting this cheese before adding it to a recipe in place of taleggio might be the perfect way to get that cheesy, creamy effect in your food, without needing to go to a dedicated dairy store.

On that note, brie is also a very popular cheese that can be bought in stores and supermarkets across the United States, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble buying it near you!

How To Substitute

Brie cheese is a creamy and mild white cheese with a sweet, buttery flavor. It is a soft, crumbly cheese that can be spread, melted, or grated. It is typically served in wedges, and it is also used in cooking, as well as in desserts.

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3. Fontina

Of course, if you want to stick with Italian cheeses that have a similar effect to Taleggio, you can’t go wrong with a slice of good fontina cheese.

Like Taleggio, this Italian cheese has a very distinct pungent smell to it and is protected by a hard rind that hides the softer creamy cheese inside.

Like Taleggio, fontina is an amazing cheese to add to a pasta or risotto dish, as it melts in a very similar fashion to the former, whilst giving your food the cheesy flavor that you are looking for.

It makes for an excellent melted cheese topping on a classic Italian pizza too!

Fontina isn’t as easy to source as the options that we have already covered here, but there is a good chance that you can find this particular Italian dairy delight in the store that may not have Taleggio.

If you’re looking to find a cheese that can imitate the smell and taste of Taleggio, this is the cheese to do it with.

How To Substitute

A fontina is a type of hard Italian cheese made from cow’s milk. It has a nutty, sharp, slightly salty flavor and is often used in dishes such as baked macaroni and cheese, lasagna, and spaghetti and meatballs.

4. Bel Paese

Italy seems to be the place to go for exquisite cheeses, doesn’t it?

Bel paese is another soft cheese that hails from the Italian peninsula and can be identified as an Italian classic from the map of Italy that you will find on an authentic wheel of this cheese.

Like Taleggio and the more widely available mozzarella cheeses, this is a softer type of cheese that is very popular as part of a cheese board.

However, it can also be added to many of the same cooked or baked recipes that Taleggio is often used in to get that classic cheesy flavor of Italy!

However, if the emphasis on authenticity hasn’t already made it clear, finding true Bel Paese is unlikely to be much easier to find and source than Taleggio.

Still, if you happen to be lucky and stumble on a store or place near you that has this cheese, this is an easy recommendation as a Taleggio substitute!

How To Substitute

Bel Paese is a semi-hard Italian cheese made with cow’s milk. It is aged for six to twelve months and is aged in a mixture of whey, brine, and bread. Bel Paese is often used in pizza and antipasti dishes.

5. Limburger

Don’t worry, this cheese isn’t just for a classic American hamburger!

Limburger cheese is named after the region of Germany with the same name and is also considered a relatively soft type of cheese.

However, unlike Taleggio, which is known for its lighter and milder flavor underneath the strong odor, Limburger cheese is characterized by having a much stronger flavor to it to match that distinct smell.

Limburger is also quite a niche type of cheese, so it may be quite hard to source this cheese.

However, it does still melt and cook in a similar way to Taleggio, so do not write this option off if you have access to Limburger cheese.

How To Substitute

This creamy, tangy Limburger is one of the world’s best-known cheeses, enjoyed for centuries. The variety of Swiss cheese is a blend of unpasteurized cow’s milk and whey. This cheese is used for cooking and baking.

6. Havarti

Made from cow’s milk, this type of cheese is hard and dry. It has a rich, tangy flavor that can be found in many different dishes. It has a mild taste and can be used for sandwiches and grilling.

It is a soft, creamy, slightly moist cheese with a buttery texture. It is commonly eaten in slices, although it can also be grated. It has a somewhat sour flavor.

Havarti is a cheese aged in salt, so it has a slightly firmer texture. It has a natural rind and comes in a variety of colors.

How To Substitute

You can easily substitute Havarti for taleggio by adding a touch of orange zest to the mixture.

7. Urgelia Cheese

Urgelia is a complex, aged cheese most commonly used in the grating. It is made from unpasteurized milk from cows with a diet of herbs and plants that give the cheese its distinctive flavor. 

The cheese is then wrapped in netting and placed in a barrel for about two months. It is a creamy, crumbly, delicious artisan cheese made from raw goat milk. It has a rich, deep flavor with a hint of goat.

The Urgelia cheese is a perfect addition to your salad or snack.

How To Substitute

The Taleggio is a creamy, spreadable, and mild Italian cheese. The Urgelia is a semi-hard blue cheese with a firm texture and mild taste. If you’re looking for a substitute for the Taleggio, the Urgelia would be a good choice.

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8. Gorgonzola

Gorgonzola is a strong, blue cheese made from cow’s milk. It is aged for one year in oak barrels. The cheese is characterized by its intense aroma and a blue-green mold on the rind.

It has a rich, nutty, and creamy flavor. Gorgonzola is often served with dry white wine, a dark chocolate dessert, or in a fruit salad.

The cheese flavor is unique, with a distinctive, sweet, earthy flavor. 

It is a true delicacy; the best part is that it comes in a wide range of shapes and flavors, such as blue cheese with truffles and blue cheese with cranberries.

How To Substitute

To create a Gorgonzola tart, the recipe calls for taleggio cheese, a blue cheese. If you want to make this recipe using Gorgonzola instead, substitute taleggio with Gorgonzola.

9. Robiola

This Italian cheese is a creamy, smooth, soft cheese that melts in your mouth. It has a mild flavor and a velvety texture. 

It is a soft, spreadable cheese made from sheep’s milk and traditionally produced in the Piedmont region of Italy. It is also known as robiola and ricotta salata.

Robiola cheese is a soft, spreadable, white cheese made from cow’s milk that has a slightly crumbly texture and a buttery, slightly sweet taste. 

It is the most famous Italian cheese in the world and is typically sold in blocks and tubs.

How To Substitute

One can substitute Taleggio for Rabiola or Taleggio for a milder, slightly firmer cheese like Gruyere.

10. Chevre

Chevre cheese is a soft, crumbly cow’s milk cheese from southern France. The consistency is similar to that of ricotta or cream cheese, with a slight tang and grainy texture. 

The taste of chevre cheese is also somewhat creamy, with a hint of tang. It can be used in salads, crostini, or as a dip with fresh vegetables.

It is creamy and smooth with a slightly tangy flavor. It is often eaten with crackers or fruit.

How To Substitute

As a substitute for Taleggio, try a wedge of chevre with fresh thyme and cracked black pepper on top.

11. Roquefort

The soft, creamy texture and rich flavor of Roquefort make it one of the most delicious cheeses in the world. 

It’s aged for up to six months, making it perfect for snacking, in salads, or melted over vegetables or pasta. 

Blue cheese is made from sheep’s milk, salt, and white mold. It is the world’s best-known blue cheese and is found in France.

How To Substitute

Taleggio is a type of cheese that can be substituted with Roquefort. The taste is similar, but the color is different. Roquefort has a deeper color and is a stronger-tasting cheese.

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12. Feta

Feta cheese is a soft, white cheese made from cow’s milk, salt, and yeast. The mixture is thickened with the addition of water and left to ripen. Feta is most commonly found in Greek cuisine.

A crumbly, white, salty cheese made from sheep or goat’s milk. It is a brined cheese aged for at least three months. 

The cheeses are usually served with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkled with herbs such as oregano, thyme, and basil.

How To Substitute

Feta cheese is a type of white cheese that is crumbly and tangy in flavor. This cheese is used in various dishes, including salads, pizza, and pasta. Substituting feta for taleggio cheese would allow for a different taste and consistency in the dish.

Final Thoughts

So, as you can see, Taleggio cheese has quite a distinct character to it, many other kinds of cheese can help fill the same culinary role as it, whether it is on a cheese board, or in a recipe.

All you need to do now is find one of these cheeses near you for your next meal!

Frequently Asked Questions

What Cheese Is Similar To Taleggio?

Taleggio is a cheese that has a slightly creamy texture and a smooth and soft flavor that is reminiscent of milk and cheese.

It has a slight nutty flavor, but is not overpowering. This cheese is commonly used in many Italian dishes and is often found on pizzas.

How Does Taleggio Cheese Taste?

Taleggio is a cheese that has a salty and sharp flavor that is perfect for grilling. The cheese is made from sheep’s milk and has a texture similar to mozzarella.

Taleggio is a mild Italian cheese that has a buttery and nutty flavor. It has a firm texture, is made from cow’s milk, and has a diameter of around 1.5 inches. It is usually sold in blocks or slices, and is typically eaten as a snack or in salads.

What Is Taleggio Cheese Good For?

Taleggio is a creamy Italian cheese that is made from cow’s milk. It is similar to other soft, mild cheeses like brie, camembert, and roquefort. The cheese has a slightly sweet flavor and is aged for a minimum of 60 days. 

Taleggio is good for eating on its own or for cooking. It is a popular cheese in Italy, but it is also made in other countries including the United States.

The 5 Best Substitutes For Taleggio Cheese

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Total time

1

hour 

Taleggio is a best cheese to work and cook with, but it can be a difficult cheese to find outside of Italy. Fortunately, there are plenty of others out there!

Ingredients

• Gruyère

• Brie

• Fontina

• Bel Paese

• Limburger

• Havarti

• Urgelia Cheese

• Gorgonzola

• Robiola

• Chevre

• Roquefort

• Feta

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

• 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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