If you are a fan of Mexican food, then the chances are that you might have heard of Oaxaca cheese.
This is a creamy cheese that melts very easily, making the perfect binding agent in tacos, quesadillas, and burritos. But what if you cannot get your hands on this cheese?
Well, luckily there are many cheeses that are very similar in terms of their constitution and flavor.
Whether it is mozzarella or Monterey jack cheese, there are plenty that will blend nicely with the rich and smoky flavor of ground beef.
So, what cheese can you get to replace Oaxaca? Will these cheeses melt in the same way? Are there any cheeses that taste like Oaxaca?
Well, we have trawled the internet and found some cheese that is identical to Oaxaca cheese. So, keep reading to find out!
Best Substitutes For Oaxaca Cheese
Asadero Cheese (28g)
- Calories: 101
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5.1g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2.3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 200mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 0.8g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 0.8g
- Protein: 6.4g
Mozzarella Cheese (28g)
- Calories: 85
- Total Fat: 6.3g
- Saturated Fat: 3.7g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 1.9g
- Cholesterol: 22mg
- Sodium: 178mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 0.6g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 0.3g
- Protein: 6.3g
Monterey Jack Cheese (28g)
- Calories: 106
- Total Fat: 8.6g
- Saturated Fat: 5.4g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 170mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 0.2g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 0.1g
- Protein: 6.9g
Muenster Cheese (28g)
- Calories: 104
- Total Fat: 8.5g
- Saturated Fat: 5.4g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 27mg
- Sodium: 178mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 0.3g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 0.3g
- Protein: 6.6g
Queso Blanco (28g)
- Calories: 104
- Total Fat: 8.5g
- Saturated Fat: 5.4g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 27mg
- Sodium: 178mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 0.3g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 0.3g
- Protein: 6.6g
Oaxaca Cheese Nutrition (28g)
- Calories: 90
- Total Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 180mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 1g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 6g
What Does Oaxaca Cheese Taste Like?
This type of cheese is very soft and has a mild taste that is not unlike mozzarella or camembert.
It melts very well, and you can unlock more of the flavor after you have heated it. Oaxaca is made from cow’s milk, although it can also come from a goat.
This cheese is used for a lot of Mexican dishes, including tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and burritos. You can also eat this cheese raw, grating it over the top of your salad.
You can usually pick up this cheese from Mexican whole food markets, although you can buy it in a few mainstream stores.
Oaxaca has a yellowish tinge like a lot of mild cheese. It is very low in fat and described as a semi-hard cheese. It has a pungent odor which distinguishes it from a lot of other cheeses.
This cheese is stretched into long ribbons and then wound into balls in much the same way as mozzarella.
So what is the best substitute cheese for Oaxaca? Well, we’ve chosen a list of cheeses that mirror Oaxaca in terms of texture, flavor, and what they can be paired with.
Best Substitutes For Oaxaca Cheese
1. Asadero Cheese
This is another cheese that is very soft and smooth, as well as melting in the same way as Oaxaca. It is also used as a topping for many types of Mexican dishes like tacos and quesadillas.
It goes well with smoky ground beef and grilled vegetables.
This is traditionally made from cow’s milk, and it is often used as dips for sliced vegetables, tortilla chips, and beef strips.
You can usually buy this cheese from Latin American food markets. It is not widely available in mainstream supermarkets.
2. Mozzarella Cheese
This is probably one of the best substitutes for Oaxaca cheese because it is widely available in most stores, and you can get it relatively cheap.
This is made from curdled milk which is then stretched and kneaded into a white cheese.
This cheese should ideally be melted before you eat it, as that will release a lot of the flavor. However, you can chop up mozzarella to be eaten raw in salads.
This has a mildly sweet aftertaste, and it can be cooked on a wide range of Italian foods such as pizza and pasta.
3. Monterey Jack Cheese
This next cheese is very flavorful yet mild, perfect for melting on ground beef and pork dishes.
This is another widely available cheese, so if you can’t find any Oaxaca at your local store, then substitute it for Monterey Jack, which is slightly smokier.
This is made from whole cow’s milk, which makes it a lot thicker than most cheeses. This cheese comes with a natural rind, which you will have to remove before you cook it.
This cheese is aged for a few months, which is what accounts for its mild texture.
4. Muenster Cheese
This is another soft and melty cheese made from cow’s milk that has a very similar texture to Oaxaca cheese.
This is a great cheese for you to heat up and drizzle over your vegetables or beef sandwich. This is an incredibly versatile cheese that can be used in Italian and Mexican dishes.
This has a touch of sweetness to it, which makes it great for balancing out spicier dishes or dishes that use an excessive amount of tomato.
You can also eat this cheese raw, slicing it up thinly and eating it with pork or chicken.
5. Queso Blanco
This is a cheese that is made by curdling and stretching out, kneading into a block shape that is then sold at delicatessens in parts of Latin America.
You might be hard pushed to find this cheese in your local store, but you can order it online.
This can be used in a wide array of dishes, including salads and soups. You can either choose to melt this or have it raw. This has a semi-firm texture and is slightly less salty than Oaxaca.
Popular Recipes That Call For Oaxaca Cheese
Oaxacan Cheese Fritters
This is a great appetizer that you can make in under 30 minutes.
This requires some Oaxaca cheese, some flour, eggs, and other ingredients. You can also have black bean dip on the side.
Oaxacan Cheese Sticks
These are handy snacks that you can make for the kids to keep them quiet.
They are slightly spicy, as they are made with cayenne peppers. They also come with black pepper and other spicy herbs.
Steak And Oaxaca Cheese Tacos
This is a great main meal that serves 6 people.
It will only take you around 25 minutes and you can be sure of a wonderful combination of contrasting flavors and textures.
Conclusion
Oaxaca cheese is an amazing addition to your tacos if you can find it.
Unfortunately, it is not that widely available, but you can rely on these substitutes to give you a similar flavor and texture.
