Home » Ingredient Substitute » Cheese Substitutes » Pecorino Cheese Substitute: Similar Taste & Substitution Ratios

Pecorino Cheese Substitute: Similar Taste & Substitution Ratios

Lisa Price
Last Updated on
by Lisa Price

There are many different types of cheese out there, but few have the versatility of pecorino. Unfortunately, not everyone has pecorino cheese available to them at all times.

As a result, we will look at a few alternatives to pecorino cheese in the paragraphs below.

What Is Pecorino Romano Nutritional Value?

Pecorino Romano
Pecorino Romano

While most of us love eating cheese, it is not always the healthiest food in the world. As a result, it is essential to find healthy cheeses when you can.

One serving size of pecorino romano cheese is typically listed at 5 grams. That portion size, contains 20 calories.

Additionally, it has 1.5 grams of fat, 4 mg of cholesterol, 115 mg of sodium, and 1 gram of protein. Finally, there is 60 mg of calcium in a serving of pecorino romano cheese.

Furthermore, pecorino is one of the healthiest cheeses available to customers. It is made from sheep’s milk which is rich in conjugated linoleic acid.

Several studies have found that the presence of CJL in Pecorino results in lower BMIs, and risks for diseases such as diabetes and cancer.

What Does It Taste Like?

Pecorino cheese dates back thousands of years to the days of the Roman Empire. Its flavor was even legendary back then, as Legionnaires were given 27 grams every day.

Although it is unlikely that the flavor has remained the same since the days of the Roman empire, it still speaks well to the taste of this cheese.

Pecorino Romano has a slightly tangy flavor that almost makes it taste spicy. Most cheese critics believe that this contrast is ideal as it gives a mixture of rich and earthy flavors.

However, you should note that not all pecorino cheeses taste the same. Those that have aged for longer have a sharper taste.

Most pecorino that you can purchase at the store is aged for a minimum of five months.

However, if you want the version with a more distinct flavor, it needs to age for at least eight months.

Unfortunately, pecorino might not be available to you. Fortunately, we have a few good alternatives for you to choose from in the absence of pecorino cheese.

Parmesan Cheese

Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan Cheese

Parmesan cheese is one of the best alternatives to pecorino because it tastes very similar. This fact is especially true when it is used in a recipe instead of pecorino.

Furthermore, parmesan has a similar texture to pecorino. However, despite having a different texture, parmesan has versions that are much saltier than others.

With that in mind, you must check the quantity of salt in the parmesan you purchased before using it as a replacement.

If you think parmesan is too salty, all you need to do is reduce the salt quantity in your recipe or remove it altogether.

Manchego Cheese

Manchego Cheese
Manchego Cheese

If you are looking for something harder, you can go with manchego cheese as an alternative. This cheese is an appealing option because it has a high melting point.

As a result, you can get it nice and warm without worrying about it melting.

When you bite into this cheese, you will notice a nutty flavor with hints of sweetness. This flavor makes it a great option with salads.

Additionally, this cheese is salty like pecorino because it is also made from sheep’s milk. It is for this reason that manchego cheese has a similar flavor to pecorino cheese.

We must note that this type of cheese comes in several aging states.

However, if you are going to use it as a pecorino alternative, you should only use cheese aged for a year or longer.

Typically, even the versions that have aged for longer are still a little sweeter than pecorino cheese. As a result, you might need to add more salt to your recipe before serving.

Grana Padano Cheese

Grana Padano Cheese
Grana Padano Cheese

Grano Padano is another cheese from Italy that is often used as a replacement for pecorino. It has a similar taste and texture, making it an ideal alternative.

One of the reasons people love this cheese as an alternative to pecorino is that it has fewer calories. Despite tasting similarly, you can lower your calorie intake by using Grana Padano.

Your dish will taste different using Grana Padano as a replacement depending on the type you purchase.

You see, Grana Padano cheese is available in salty and sweet flavors. As a result, if you want to use it as a pecorino replacement, you should purchase the salty version.

As for the texture, it is very similar to pecorino. If you use this cheese as a pecorino replacement, use a one-to-one ratio.

Piave Cheese

Piave Cheese
Piave Cheese

Another cheese from Italy that you can use as an alternative is Piave cheese. This cheese provides you with a delicious sweet and nutty taste.

Unfortunately, this is not a good option if you plan to make a dish that needs to be cooked or get hot in general. The reason for this is that it gets hard very quickly.

This cheese is very similar to both pecorino and parmesan cheese. It resembles parmesan, but it tastes very similar to pecorino.

You should note that Piave cheese has five different aging stages, and cheesemakers sell it in all sections of the aging process.

The older the cheese, the harder it gets, and as a result, it is harder to use it in recipes. However, the first stage of Piave is not a great alternative to pecorino.

As a result, stages two and three are usually considered the best pecorino replacements in hot recipes.

Asiago Cheese

Asiago Cheese
Asiago Cheese

Asiago cheese is one of the few kinds of cheese on this list that you have probably heard of if you are not a cheese connoisseur.

It is an iconic cheese from Italy and the final option we will look at today.

When you bite into a piece of asiago cheese, you will notice a slightly sweet taste. Typically, people use this cheese in soups and sandwiches rather than in large dishes.

However, it can be used in large dishes more than it is. Its creamy taste helps it enhance and improve the flavor of many main dishes.

Most cheese fanatics have asiago towards the top of their lists in terms of flavor. Unfortunately, the high demand makes it one of the hardest cheeses to get your hands on.

With that in mind, if you can get your hands on asiago, it is an excellent replacement for pecorino.

The reason for this is that it provides a more mild flavor compared to other alternatives.

Furthermore, many people will enjoy asiago cheese because it is softer than other substitutes. Hard cheese isn’t for everyone, and asiago is great for those people.

Since it is a softer option, it melts quicker than most alternatives. As a result, it is a good option for hot dishes that require cheese to melt.

Finally, it is essential to note that asiago gets harder as it ages. In the later stages of the aging process, it more closely resembles parmesan and pecorino.

About Lisa Price
Lisa Price
Lisa is Food Champ's resident fitness enthusiast and nutrition expert. She holds a nutrition degree in her home state of Florida and works for a large health system to ensure sound nutrition and dietetics information is passed on to all members.
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *