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Cotjia cheese is a popular salty and crumbly cheese used in many Mexican recipes to enhance savory dishes. Try it on tacos, enchiladas, tostadas, and soups!
If you like a good salty, crumbly cheese, then you’ll love the popular Mexican cotija cheese! I use it all the time in my recipes, and it’s one of my favorites.
What Is Cotija Cheese?
Cotija is a Mexican cheese made from cow’s milk that’s salty in flavor and crumbly in texture. Named after the town of Cotija in the state of Michoacan, cotija cheese comes in two different types – fresh and aged (or añejo).
Though both types are relatively salty, the fresh version is soft, while the aged version is much harder, similar to Parmesan.
What does Cotjia Cheese Taste Like?
Cotija has a strong and salty flavor. It’s very similar to feta cheese in that they’re both salty, bold, and tangy. Fresh cotija has a softer and fluffy texture, whereas aged cotija has a harder crumb and a stronger flavor.
Cotija Versus Queso Fresco
Cotija and queso fresco are commonly used interchangeably. They’re both crumbling Mexican cheeses and are used in the same way. Queso fresco has a much more mild and milkier flavor and is creamier than cotija. They both achieve a similar texture and taste, so feel free to swap one for the other.
How to Use Cotija Cheese
Cotjia cheese doesn’t melt, making it best as a finishing cheese. It’s great for topping tacos, salads, enchiladas, and sides.
You can find cotija packaged in a block or pre-grated in most grocery stores. The pre-grated version has a very fine and fluffy texture, and the block version gives you more control over the crumb and can give you larger chunks.
Here are a few recipes that pair well with cotija:
- Load up elotes or esquites.
- Top main dishes like cheese enchiladas, entomatoadas, flautas, and chilaquiles.
- Sprinkle on top of refried beans, frijoles puercos, Mexican zucchini, or Mexican quinoa salad.
Cotija Cheese Substitutes
- Queso fresco and Feta cheese: These cheeses are the best substitutes for fresh cotija since they have a softer and fluffy texture. They are more mild in taste but offer the most similar texture and flavor.
- Parmesan: Parmesan is the best substitute for aged cotija since they have a similar fine texture and harder crumb. They are both salty and have a strong flavor.
Storage Instructions
Store cotija in an airtight bag or container in the refrigerator once opened if it comes in block form. If it comes pre-grated, it should come in a resealable bag.
More Mexican Cheeses
What’s your favorite way of using cotija cheese? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below!
This post was originally published in April 2019 and has been updated with more helpful information.
Love your website and instas. Keep ‘em coming. Making two of your salsas with my daughters this weekend. Next weekend your chili rellenos
What will be a good name corn, to use?
Is animal rennet used in making cotija cheese? Or, is vegetable enzymes used? Thank you.
Hi Katy! We aren’t sure about that since different brands can use different ingredients. We recommend double checking the ingredients on the label or contacting the brand directly if this is a dietary concern.
Does it contain rennet?
Hi Carole! We aren’t really sure since ingredients can differ between different brands. We recommend checking the ingredients list on the labels or contacting the brand directly.
Does Cotija cheese contain GARLIC.
Hello Fran, in general it does not! However we suggest double checking the ingredients list on the packaging to make sure.
I am looking for a source of Cotija for my client who makes RTE salads. This would be one 6 ingredients in this salad. These salad are package in two facilities–one in the Detroit are and one in Seattle.
I can’t wait to try this cheese in my salad!
I just discovered this cheese and I love it. I put it in my tacos, scrambled eggs, on a hot dog, in a salad. I think it can go on everything.
hey! i just made your flan recipe and its coming out amazing, its chilling in the fridge right now, so im super excited. a lot of your recipes look so good, but i live in a city where there’s almost no mexican selection in the store and I don’t know what to do? have you ever had this problem? how should i go ab getting the ingredients i need?
Hi! I’m sorry to hear that! I’d recommend searching for Mexican grocery stores in your area. If there aren’t any, you can try different food delivery services. You can also check out Isabel’s Shop page (https://www.isabeleats.com/shop/mexican-ingredients/) for shelf-stable ingredients like dried chiles. There she links to products you can find on Amazon which will usually ship anywhere. Hope this helps!
My oldest son reminded me of these old, but traditional recepies on your site.
Our Christmas will be full of good memories. I forget the recepies. Thanks for reminder.