7 Delicious Substitutes for Farmer’s Cheese

Farmer’s cheese is a staple ingredient in many cuisines and recipes. Its mild, tangy flavor and soft, crumbly texture make it versatile for both savory and sweet dishes. However, finding authentic farmer’s cheese can be difficult depending on where you live. Luckily, there are several excellent substitutes that mimic the taste and texture of farmer’s cheese.

In this article, I’ll explain what exactly farmer’s cheese is and why you may need substitutes. Then I’ll suggest 7 delicious alternatives that you can use in place of farmer’s cheese for smooth dips, cheesecakes, pasta fillings, and more.

What Is Farmer’s Cheese?

Farmer’s cheese, also known as pot cheese, is a simple, soft, white cheese made by curdling milk. It has a mild, tangy flavor and a moist, crumbly texture.

Authentic farmer’s cheese is made from the leftover whey from making hard cheeses. The whey is re-cooked and curdled to produce the soft, spreadable cheese. That’s why it’s sometimes called “whey cheese.”

The milk used can be from cows, goats, or sheep. Farmer’s cheese made from goat’s milk will be tangier. Sheep’s milk makes a richer tasting cheese.

Farmer’s cheese is lower in fat than cream cheese but creamier than ricotta. It contains about 5-8% milk fat. The cheese is also preservative-free when homemade on farms.

Its versatility in cooking comes from its subtle tang paired with a smooth and spreadable texture. Farmer’s cheese works well in both sweet and savory dishes.

You’ll find authentic farmer’s cheese is easiest to get if you live near dairy farms. But for many home cooks, it’s an elusive ingredient. That’s where these 7 substitutes come in handy!

1. Ricotta Cheese

Italian ricotta is probably the most common substitute for farmer’s cheese. Both cheeses have a similar dairy-fresh, slightly sweet flavor.

Ricotta is made from the whey leftover after making cheeses like mozzarella or provolone. Like farmer’s cheese, it captures those delicious milk solids before they go to waste.

The two cheeses can be used interchangeably in recipes. However, there are a few differences:

• Farmer’s cheese is tangier while ricotta is mildly sweet.
• Ricotta is creamier and wetter. Farmer’s cheese is drier and crumbles more easily.
• Ricotta works better in baked goods where you want moisture. Farmer’s cheese is better for dips.

For best results, choose fresh, whole milk ricotta. Part-skim varieties tend to be grainier and drier when cooked. Whipped ricotta also has a lighter texture close to farmer’s cheese.

Recipes to try:

• Lasagna
• Gnocchi
• Cheesecake
• Pizza

2. Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese makes another excellent farmer’s cheese swap. Choose dry curd cottage cheese rather than creamed for the closest consistency.

Dry cottage cheese consists of soft, crumbly curds in whey. It has a mild, fresh dairy flavor like farmer’s cheese. The curds break down easily and blend smoothly into dips or cheesecake filling.

Small curd cottage cheese works best as the small grains mimic farmer’s cheese closely. You can also drain the cottage cheese through cheesecloth overnight to remove more whey and concentrate the curds.

Cottage cheese has a bit more tang than farmer’s cheese. So add cream cheese or milk to mellow out the flavor if needed.

Recipes to try:

• Homemade Cottage Cheese
• Baked Farmer Cheese
• Pancakes
• Savory Cottage Cheese Bowl

3. Queso Blanco

Queso blanco is a Mexican-style farmers cheese made from pressed curds. It has a salty, milky taste and velvety texture similar to farmer’s cheese.

Unlike farmer’s cheese, queso blanco doesn’t melt when heated. It browns and crisps up for an excellent frying cheese. The flavor is mildly tangy and pairs well with bold seasonings.

You can find queso blanco at many grocery stores near other Hispanic cheeses. For a homemade version, heat milk and vinegar to curdle, then drain and press the curds.

Queso blanco is delicious crumbled over enchiladas, tacos, black beans or eggs. It also works well in cheese dips and sauces. Play with different spice rubs to coat the cheese for extra flavor.

Recipes to try:

• Chorizo and Queso Blanco Tacos
• Queso Blanco Dip
• Crispy Queso Blanco Bites
• Baked Queso Blanco

4. Neufchâtel

Neufchâtel is a soft French cheese that makes a great farmer’s cheese substitute. It has a creamy, spreadable texture with a tangy, citrusy flavor.

The cheese is made by pressing soft curds together to form a wheel or square shape. It has an edible white rind that keeps the cheese intact.

Inside, the cheese has a smooth, fudgy consistency. The flavor is milky and fresh with lemony notes. It melts nicely for dips, grilled cheese, and baked dishes.

Neufchâtel contains about one-third the fat of cream cheese, with 45 calories per ounce. So it’s a nice lighter option, similar to farmer’s cheese.

Look for Neufchâtel wedges near the cream cheese or artisanal cheese at well-stocked grocery stores.

Recipes to try:

• Neufchâtel and Chive Omelet
• Strawberry Neufchâtel Spread
• Savory Neufchâtel Toast
• Asparagus and Leek Quiche

5. Chèvre

Fresh chèvre (goat cheese) has a crumbly texture and tangy flavor similar to farmer’s cheese. Young, mild chèvre offers the closest substitution.

Chèvre is made from curdled goat’s milk. It has a creamy, spreadable texture when fresh that mimics the mouthfeel of farmer’s cheese. The tanginess levels vary by brand.

For cooked applications like dips or cheesecake, a mild chèvre works best. The flavor remains delicate.

Aged chèvre tends to be too crumbly for many farmer cheese recipes. The sharper taste also overpowers more subtle flavors.

Chèvre is easy to find at grocery stores or farmer’s markets since goat cheese is growing in popularity. Try a few to compare the tanginess and texture.

Recipes to try:

• Goat Cheese Mushroom Tartine
• Savory Goat Cheese Cheesecake
• Baked Pasta with Goat Cheese
• Goat Cheese and Herb Spread

6. Panela

Panela is a fresh Mexican cheese that makes an excellent substitute for farmer’s cheese. It has a crumbly texture and mild, tangy flavor.

This cheese is made by curdling goat’s or cow’s milk with vinegar or lime juice. The curds are then scooped into molds to press together.

Fresh panela has a bright, clean flavor with hints of citrus. The smooth, spreadable texture works well in cooked dishes or crumbled over food.

Compared to farmer’s cheese, panela is less tangy in flavor. It also contains a bit more moisture, similar to ricotta.

Look for panela cheese near other Hispanic cheeses like queso fresco. Try crumbling it over tacos, nachos, beans, or soup for a tasty garnish. It also makes a fantastic cheese dip.

Recipes to try:

• Authentic Mexican Queso Dip
• Grilled Panela Quesadilla
• Homemade Panela Cheese
• 4 Fresh Panela Mexican Cheese Recipes

7. Greek Yogurt

For a non-cheese sub, try Greek yogurt! It has a rich, creamy texture perfect for mimicking farmer’s cheese in dips and dressings.

Greek yogurt is strained to remove excess whey, giving it a thick, spreadable consistency. It has a tangy, fresh flavor that works well in savory recipes.

Try substituting an equal amount of whole milk Greek yogurt for farmer’s cheese in recipes. The yogurt texture blends smoothly with other ingredients.

For a true farmer’s cheese flavor, mix in a touch of lemon juice, salt, and milk. You can also blend in crumbled feta or fresh herbs like dill, chives, or parsley.

Greek yogurt works wonderfully in chilled apps, sandwich spreads, and fresh salads or vegetables. Heat alters the texture, so avoid cooking it.

Recipes to try:

• Tzatziki Sauce
• Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing
• Lemony Dill Yogurt Cheese
• Veggie Wrap with Hummus

Give These Farmer’s Cheese Substitutes a Try!

Farmer’s cheese is prized for its tangy flavor and crumbly texture. Luckily, several supermarket alternatives mimic the freshness and versatility of this farm-fresh cheese.

Ricotta, cottage cheese, queso blanco, and chèvre all offer similar crumbly textures. Cream cheese, Neufchâtel, and panela provide creamy, spreadable options. And Greek yogurt works great in cold apps.

Try out a few of these substitutes in your favorite farmer cheese recipes. You may even find a new favorite cheese to stock in your fridge!

With options like ricotta, cottage cheese, and chèvre becoming more available, you can still enjoy those signature farmer’s cheese flavors. Don’t let a tricky ingredient stop you from whipping up tasty homemade dishes.