Is Manchego cheese similar to the real thing?
Luckily, there are a lot of variations of Manchego cheese which are surprisingly similar to the real thing. So if you fancy a change from Manchego cheese, but still want a gooey and runny cheese, then you’re in the right place.
What is the difference between Asiago and Manchego?
Asiago originates from Northern Italy, and its texture can vary from medium to hard, depending on the level of maturity. Just like Manchego, asiago can also be bought both fresh, semi-aged, and aged, so the color may vary from white to pale yellow.
Where can I find Manchego in grocery store?
Manchego is a widely distributed product that you may likely find in your local well-stocked grocery store. You can find it at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Market too. Look for brands that mark La Mancha origin on the label to indicate a quality, authentic manchego.
What is the difference between Manchego and Comté?
Just like Manchego, this cheese is also semi-hard, usually of pale yellow color, and the texture becomes even firmer and more grainy the older it gets. When it comes to flavor, Comté is a mixture of savory, smokey, and nutty on one hand, and sweet and fruity on the other.
What can replace Manchego?
MozzarellaMozzarella makes an ideal substitute for manchego cheese if you're making a recipe that involves melting the cheese. When heated, it takes on a gooey, runny texture like it does manchego cheese. Because this cheese has such a mild flavor, you can use the same amount in your recipe as you would with manchego cheese.
What is the closest cheese to Manchego?
zamorano. An excellent substitute to Manchego cheese, the zamorano cheese is a sheep's milk cheese from the province of Zamora, Spain. It is hard in texture and ages for about 6 months.
Is Manchego similar to cheddar?
Like cheddar and Tomme de Savoie, Manchego is an uncooked, pressed-curd cheese; it must be made using the tangy, fatty milk of manchega sheep in their native provinces of Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, and Toledo, an area due south and southeast of Madrid that makes up the region of La Mancha.
Are Manchego and parmesan similar?
Manchego is another cheese with a complex, nutty flavor and a comparable texture that can be shaved in a similar way to parmesan due to its hardness.
Is Gruyere like Manchego?
Is Manchego Cheese Similar to Gruyere? No, they are not necessarily similar but can be used as substitutes. If you don't have Manchego or mozzarella, which is the closest substitute, Gruyere serves as a good alternative. The only downside is the stronger flavour and pungency.
What cheese does Manchego cheese taste like?
What does Manchego cheese taste like? All varieties of Manchego cheese have a sweet and fruity flavor, with other variations. Younger cheeses have a rich, and grassy flavor; on the other hand, older Manchegos like Curado and Viejo have deeper notes of sweetness and caramel.
What is queso manchego in English?
Queso is the Spanish word for cheese, however, it has multiple meanings in different contexts and can actually refer to a particular Mexican dish k...
Are pecorino and manchego similar?
Pecorino is another popular cheese that may be a little less well known than parmesan, but has a very storied history and has its own unique flavor...
How does Manchego cheese taste?
Manchego has one of the most notable and distinguished flavors of any hard cheese and is also known for its distinctive yellow appearance. One of i...
manchego cheese substitutes
For those of you who are lactose intolerant, this article may seem like it’s difficult for you to read due to the tempting nature of cheese. Trust me, at some point, I would have sacrificed all the chocolate in the world for a slice of cheese.
Manchego cheese history
Manchego cheese is a Spanish cheese from the La Mancha region. For more details, click here. You might also know it as ‘queso manchego’. It is made with sheep’s milk and usually requires at least 60 days to age. Generally speaking, it can age from 60 days to 2 years.
semi-firm cheese
Depending on age and maturity, there are 4 different varieties you can get when it comes to Manchego cheese:
how to serve manchego cheese
You usually serve it in very thinly cut slices with some quince or chutney. The other day I ate Manchego cheese with an extraordinary honey-date and garlic chutney. An incredible combination of the intense flavours of the cheese.
substitutes for manchego cheese
Also known as ‘Tomme de Brebiou’ in French, this cheese is mainly home to the French Alps and Switzerland. However, you can also find it in places such as Corsica, where milk from the herbs of Corsican sheep breeds is used to produce Tomme de Brebis.
1. Asiago cheese
You can use Asiago cheese instead of Manchego cheese and your dish will still taste delicious. This type of cheese is made of whole cow milk and has a delicious taste.
2. Chihuahua cheese
Yes, Chihuahua is not only a dog breed name but it is also a tasty type of cheese that you can use instead of Manchego cheese.
3. English cheddar cheese
A more popular type of cheese that you can use if you don’t have Manchego is the Cheddar cheese. This yellow cheese can replace Manchego and any other type of cheese while keeping the taste of every recipe. You will love to use it in sandwiches, salads, and different baked dishes.
4. Monterey Jack cheese
If you are looking for an American cheese to replace the Manchego cheese, you will be glad to know that Monterey Jack is one of your best options.
5. Mozzarella cheese
A common replacement for Manchego cheese is the classic Mozzarella. You can use Mozzarella on more dishes than just pizza. It goes great on sandwiches but also sauces, Mexican, and Italian dishes.
6. Muenster cheese
Muenster cheese is an Americanized version of French cheese with the same name. It is made of cow’s milk that has been pasteurized and it has a pale color with a yellow tint.
7. Parmesan
If you are a fan of salty cheese, replace your Manchego cheese with Parmesan. It has a distinct taste that can enrich the flavor of almost any recipe. You can use it on pasta and pizza but you can also bake it and add it to different salads or soups.
Mozzarella: Best Substitute for Manchego Cheese
Originating just a few countries over from Spain, mozzarella cheese is from Italy and is an excellent manchego cheese replacement. Traditionally, Italians made mozzarella with buffalo milk. Nowadays, most people make mozzarella cheese with cow’s milk.
English Cheddar
One of the best cheeses for matching manchego’s richness and melting quality is English cheddar cheese. With its roots in Cheddar, England, cheddar cheese soon became an American favorite when settlers brought it to the New World. Today, the northeast continues to have large cow farms and cheddar factories.
Monterey Jack
You might be scratching your head at how Monterey Jack cheese is similar to manchego, for Monterey Jack commonly comes in intense dry and pepper flavors. However, traditional Monterey Jack cheese has a creamy and mild flavor similar to manchego cheese.
Asiago Cheese
We’ve talked a lot about excellent manchego cheese alternatives when it comes to recipes calling for melted cheese, but you might wonder—what about substitutes for using it as a solid? Asiago cheese is a great choice if you want to use solid or grated cheese in a recipe that calls for manchego cheese.
Zamorano
Zamorano cheese isn’t typically a household name, but it shares several key features that make it an excellent substitute for manchego cheese. Most notably, Zamorano is a Spanish cheese and comes from sheep’s milk. Like manchego cheese that originates from the Manchega sheep breed, Zamorano cheese must come from a specific sheep variety.
6 substitutes for manchego
Pecorino is an Italian sheep’s milk cheese that is readily available in the United States. It has a strong tangy and nutty flavor which is delicious on chicken parmigiana or grated over pasta. Pecorino makes a great substitute for manchego and can be used in any dish or application that calls for it.
Fast facts
Manchego is high in protein and contains 25g per 100g, which is higher than most meat.
Summing up
Manchego is a lovely melting cheese and its flavor and aroma are likely to appeal to most. However, if you can't or won’t eat this cheese, then the best replacements are Pecorino Romano, asiago, Monterey Jack, Parmesan, Comté, or mozzarella.
1. Queso Blanco
We have our first manchego cheese replacement here. This white cheese is truly delicious. Made from the milk of sheep and goats in northern Spain, queso Blanco is a delicious substitute for manchego cheese. It doesn’t taste too salty like many other versions of cheese do and has a nice mild flavor – perfect with jamón serrano on crusty bread!
2. Fresh ricotta
Ricotta is a good manchego cheese substitute. The creamiest, softest ricotta to ever touch your lips. Seriously, you won’t believe it until you try! Imagine chewy chunks of manchego cheese…but with barely any fat or calories and packed into a healthy container.
3. Feta cheese
Feta is also a manchego cheese alternative. This is a traditional Greek cheese made from fresh goat’s milk. This type of cheese has a crumbly texture and it tends to be less salty than other types of cheeses.
4. Goat cheese
Enjoy a creamy, tangy manchego cheese alternative: goat cheese. Ever heard of it? Us either! But this rich and decadent meat is one of the oldest types available for human consumption.
5. Brie cheese
Try the newest thing in cheese: brie. Considered as a substitute for manchego cheese and other soft cheeses, brie has that distinctive taste you love but without taking up much of your time to prepare! Just take it out of the container and enjoy.
6. Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese, thanks to its mild and slightly sour flavor, is a substitute for manchego cheese in many dishes. A wholesome dairy product, it needs no refrigeration until opened and is low in sodium too! Try the cottage cheese with some sliced apples for a sweet but salty treat!
7. Monterey Jack cheese
Manchego cheese, often found in paninis and omelets, is more popular than ever. Trying to impress your friends with what they consider an advanced palate? Worry no more, we have the solution! Monterey Jack is a hard yet mild cheese that has a great flavor team and turns any dish from basic to bougie.
1. Monterey jack
Monterey jack, also known simply as Jack cheese, is a semi-hard American cheese, high in fat, and extremely smooth and mild.
2. Tomme de Brebis
Tomme de Brebis is a semi-soft French cheese, mostly made from sheep’s milk, which makes it an adequate Manchego cheese replacement.
3. Pecorino
This is, without a doubt, one of the most famous and widely available Italian hard cheeses. The base of pecorino is also sheep’s milk, but in this case, the flavor is quite dominant, and it may be a lot for some people.
4. Comté
Comté comes from France, the region of Jura Massif, and it is generally made from unpasteurized cow’s milk. Just like Manchego, this cheese is also semi-hard, usually of pale yellow color, and the texture becomes even firmer and more grainy the older it gets.
5. Asiago
Even though it is made from cow’s milk, asiago cheese is a quite good replacement for that unique Manchego cheese taste. Asiago originates from Northern Italy, and its texture can vary from medium to hard, depending on the level of maturity.
6. Zamorano
Zamorano is a delicious Manchego cheese alternative that is also produced from fresh, unpasteurized sheep’s milk. It comes from Spain, the region of Castilla-Leon, Zamora, and it has a bit harder texture than Manchego cheese, especially when mature.
7. English cheddar
While there are numerous variations of the cheddar cheese, the original cheddar comes from England, and it is a hard cheese made of unpasteurized cow’s milk. For a milder taste, you want to look for an English cheddar aged for no longer than 3 months.
What Is Manchego Cheese?
So, what is manchego cheese made of and looks like? – It is a type of sheep’s milk cheese originating from Spain. Queso-manchego is light yellow and has a round shape. Whether its texture is firm or soft depends entirely on the aging time.
Recommended Manchego Cheese Substitutes
There are 20 alternatives below. Let’s learn more about each of them together!
FAQs
Queso-Manchego melts well. It is one of the best cheeses to use for grilling. When cooked, it turns into a slab that has a greasy and fragrant taste.
Final Thoughts
In short, our blog has listed down some highly-recommended cheeses that can be used in your recipe to replace the La Mancha one. Although they all belong to the daily product category, each of them might bring a distinctive flavor to your dish.
What is Manchego cheese?
Manchego cheese is a a Spanish sheep's milk cheese with a natural, inedible rind. The cheese is traditionally sliced and served with membrillo (quince paste). Manchego adds a nice salty, nutty flavor to dishes.
Where To Buy Manchego Cheese
Manchego is a widely distributed product that you may likely find in your local well-stocked grocery store. You can find it at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Market too. Look for brands that mark La Mancha origin on the label to indicate a quality, authentic manchego. The better quality products are typically found in good speciality cheese shop.
