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Oaxaca cheese is the best creamy, stretchy, and meltable Mexican cheese ever! It’s similar to mozzarella, and great in enchiladas, chile rellenos, nachos, and quesadillas! Top this luscious Mexican cheese on all your favorite recipes.
You’ve probably heard of cotija cheese and queso fresco, but you must try Oaxacan cheese!
What Is Oaxaca Cheese?
Oaxaca cheese [pronounced wah-ha-kah] is a white, semi-soft cow’s milk cheese from Mexico. Considered a fresh cheese, it’s traditionally made by kneading the curd in hot water and then stretching it. Thin strips form from the cheese, which are cooled in salted water and cut into rope-like segments. The segments are then gently braided or wound into a knot resembling a ball of yarn. The presentation is unusual, and you can cut off little pieces as you need them, which is kind of fun.
This creamy and stringy Mexican cheese melts beautifully and is commonly used as fillings for quesadillas or toppings for enchiladas or nachos. It gives a great cheese-pull and screams decadence.
Where Is Oaxaca Cheese From?
It comes from the state of the same name, Oaxaca, in southern Mexico, where it was first produced. Sometimes it’s referred to as Mexican mozzarella, quesillo (“rope cheese”), Queso Oaxaca, or Oaxacan-Style String Cheese.
What Does Oaxaca Cheese Taste Like?
The flavor of Oaxaca cheese is mellow and buttery, similar to a string cheese, with a creamy texture and a slight saltiness to it. It’s perfect for melting and is similar to mozzarella or unaged Monterey jack cheese. The taste is mild, providing a nice balance to the spicy and highly flavorful Mexican foods with which it’s often paired.
What Is Oaxaca Cheese Best For?
Oaxaca cheese is the best when used as a melting cheese, so pile it on nachos, in quesadillas or chile rellenos and top dishes like enchiladas for the ultimate gooey and delicious cheese pull. Here are some ideas:
- Make creamy and delicious quesadillas with Oaxaca cheese and black bean quesadillas, chicken quesadillas, or try with my sheet pan quesadillas.
- Fill chile rellenos, tetelas, or use in tortas.
- Top sheet pan nachos or bell pepper nachos.
Where to Find Oaxaca Cheese
Oaxaca cheese can be found in many large grocery store chains and smaller Hispanic specialty grocers here in the U.S. You can usually find it in the specialty cheese section or the refrigerated cheese aisle.
Though it’s typically sold in a ball form, you may also find it pre-shredded in bags.
Substitutes for Oaxaca cheese
- Asadero: Asadero is a mild, semi-soft cheese. It also has a creamy and mild salty taste and is the closest substitute for Oaxaca cheese.
- Mozzarella: Creamy and melty mozzarella is also a great option. Mozzarella has more milk content than Oaxaca but they have a similar flavor profile.
- Monterey Jack: Monterey jack has a stronger, more buttery flavor than Oaxaca cheese, but works just as well.
- Muenster: Muenster cheese has a buttery and slightly nutty taste compared to Oaxaca cheese.
More Mexican Ingredients
This post was originally published in August 2020 and has been updated with more helpful information.
I am hooked!!! kid you not, your recipes are from my childhood!
I don’t remember alot of the recipes from my mother but as I am reading through yours they are coming back and the best is that there are measurements! My mother did not use measurements just her hand cupped for a cup or a pinch etc. I will be using some of your recipes to add to my Sunday Family Dinners.
Hi Raquel! Thank you so much for the compliment! That’s definitely what we strive for with the recipes.
The Oaxaca cheese I bought just melted into a blob that looked very similar to the product in the wrapper. Not worth a flip!