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Queso Fresco (which translates to “fresh cheese”) is a mild, fresh, soft, and slightly tangy white cheese that’s a staple in many Mexican kitchens.
It’s easily crumbled and often topped on dishes like enchiladas and tacos just like cotija cheese, but it isn’t as salty and is much more mild with a light milky flavor.
What is queso fresco made of?
Queso Fresco is traditionally made with raw cow’s milk or a combination of cow and goat milk. This is what provides it with it’s slightly salty, but mildly tangy fresh taste. As a result, it’s very similar to farmer’s cheese.
In the United States, you’ll typically find pasteurized versions of queso fresco in grocery stores.
Serving Suggestions
Typically with spicy Mexican dishes, you’re going to want to balance that “hot’ with something that will help bring the temperature down. Queso fresco is great for balancing the sensation your palate is craving when you use it as a topping or stuffing. It will provide you with a subtle hint of slightly salty, slightly sour, and slightly milky flavors that is sure to freshen up any dish.
Although it’s a soft cheese, it doesn’t melt well. However, it does brown to a nice golden color, making it great to use as a topping. If you will be using queso fresco for the first time, keep these tips in mind.
Some of the best ways you might want to consider using it are as a taco topping or crumbled on various spicy Mexican dishes.
Popular recipes made with queso fresco
Other great uses for queso fresco are to roll it up in some warm homemade flour tortillas or corn tortillas and eat it as a little snack!
How to store queso fresco
Be sure to use this cheese within a 5-7 day time period. If you do store longer, keep it in your refrigerator in vacuum sealed bags or airtight containers in the back on a colder bottom shelf. This may allow you to stretch that to 2 weeks beyond the sell by date. As always, if you see any mold or discoloration, throw it away immediately.
Is Queso Fresco Healthy?
Queso Fresco is a great choice for people conscious about a healthy diet. A lower sodium and fat content make it a great choice over other aged cheeses. For those on a lacto-vegetarian diet, this will be a great addition to your recipes.
Please think outside the box and beyond Mexican because this crumbling, healthy cheese would also be great as a garnish on everything, as is or browned somehow, on top of everyday scrambled eggs or omelets, salads, soups, sides, entrees, and on or in sandwiches, casseroles, snack foods, etc., and ought reduce the carbohydrate absorption rate being consumed within the meal because the goat milk content provides medium-chain-tryglicerites (MCT) oils that reduce carbohydrate absorption and improve cognitive abilities – in fact, this can be said, I would think, of almost all types of crumbling cheeses containing goat milk or certain bacterial cultures. Bon appetite and good health to everyone! 🙂
I’ve found that Queso Fresco truly elevates my enchiladas, chile rellenos, and quesadillas with its unique texture and taste. Plus, it’s a game-changer when grilled – I’d recommend trying it with queso panela for a delightful twist!
Thanks for sharing,
Alex
slices of Queso Fresco are great with a sliced ripe pear–for dessert or nutritious snack.
Hi Rikki! That sounds delicious! Thanks for the tip!
Can you grill queso
Hi Donald! You actually can! Queso panela is good for grilling, and Queso fresco should also be able to hold up with the grill!
Have a question how do you use queso blanco cheese .
Hi Michael! Queso fresco can be used for filling inside of enchiladas, chile rellenos, and quesadillas. It’s not a super stringy cheese when it’s melted, so it can also be used crumbled as a topping for pretty much any Mexican food you like (chile rellenos, enchiladas, tacos, chilaquiles, tostadas).
Hello Isabel.
What is the name of the dish pictured in this article about queso fresco with tortilla and eggs on top?
Hi Lucia! That is a photo of our red chilaquiles recipe that you can find on our website. Thanks!
This was a very nice read, thanks!
Thank you..
can I freeze this cheese, bought to much and can’t use within 6-7 days,
Thanks
Hi! Isabel doesn’t recommend freezing queso fresco. Sorry!
VERY HELPFUL. THANK YOU!