Blue cheese, also commonly known as bleu cheese, is one of the most versatile cheeses that is really going to help you improve your cooking. It can be used in almost any other dish that you find.
There are plenty of different ways by which you can add and use blue cheese in your cooking, so in most cases, you won’t even have to worry about going to buy other cheeses regularly.
Today, as the need for innovation continues to rise, more and more people are now looking for interesting ways by which they can use the same ingredients for different dishes.
Because so many people are experimenting with different ingredients, there are plenty of unique recipes and choices available to people when making different dishes.
The good thing about using blue cheese is that it really improves the taste. It’s not just something that you put in your dish for the sake of it; the blue cheese actually makes a profound impact and really improves the dish in general.
Substitutes For Bleu Cheese
Bleu cheese was first produced in France. As the name implies this cheese has shades of blue color depending upon the mold used. Most people are disgusted by the smell of Bleu cheese, but once they get familiar with it, it really stops becoming much of a problem.
This might be because of the type of mold used or the bacteria grown on cheese. You might be surprised to know that quite a few people avoid using this cheese because they cannot handle the bad smell.
However, there are plenty of experienced chefs who now use blue cheese in their dishes, and they also know how to process it in a way that really reduces the smell and in fact brings out the true taste of the dish.
Taste-wise it can be a bit salty and spicy, which often helps bring the perfect balance to most dishes. But, if you don’t have blue cheese available and are looking for a viable substitute, there are plenty of other options available for you to consider.
In the following paragraphs, we are going to talk about some of the most popular alternatives to blue cheese, especially those that aren’t going to affect the taste all that much.
- Gorgonzola Cheese
Unlike Bleu cheese, which originated in France, Gorgonzola cheese was first made in Italy. However, both of these cheeses have distinct veining that is very easy to distinguish. Depending upon which brand you buy, the texture is likely to be either a bit buttery or a little bit firm.
When it comes to taste, this cheese is quite similar to Bleu cheese and provides that same salty and spicy bite. It has the same shades of blue on the inside too, which is one of the main reasons why it’s such a popular choice.
And, this might come as a surprise to most people, but the same pungent smell that you might know blue cheese for is also present in Gorgonzola.
And, just like blue cheese, the number one reason why people still prefer using Gorgonzola is because of the rich flavor that it adds to their dishes. If you’re looking for something that’s definitely going to improve the quality of your dish, you can’t go wrong with Gorgonzola.
- Feta Cheese
Another substitute you can use for Bleu cheese is feta cheese. Feta has very tiny holes on the inside and is made from sheep’s milk. Relative to Gorgonzola cheese, it can prove to be quite soft and easier to work with.
It provides the same salty flavor as bleu cheese and generally has a bit of a spicy aftertaste. The best thing about using this as a substitute is that the smell is nowhere as bad as bleu cheese.
If you’re really finicky about smells and simply don’t want to choose something that may put you off, then using feta cheese instead of blue cheese does make a lot of sense. It often makes for a fantastic addition to any dish that you choose to add it to.
- Stilton Cheese
Stilton cheese was first produced in Ireland, so it’s one of the popular English cheeses that you might know about. It offers the same intensity in flavor as Bleu cheese, which is why it often makes for a viable alternative.
It is softer as compared to Gorgonzola cheese, so if you’re planning to add it to different dishes, it’s generally much easier to work with. The one difference between blue cheese and Stilton cheese would be how much creamier Stilton cheese can be.
If you melt it in the dish (as it normally would), this cheese might even overpower the flavor. It provides that same spicy and mildly salty taste that you’d expect, which makes it a great substitute for Bleu cheese. Even the smell is the same as blue cheese!
People who are trying to increase the creaminess in their dish should opt for Stilton cheese. Stilton cheese is generally readily available, so you won’t have to worry about running about and looking in different stores. Almost all the big dairy brands offer Stilton cheese too.
- Halloumi Cheese
Halloumi cheese can be compared with feta cheese in terms of texture, as both of these are generally quite salty. It can be made with either goat’s milk or cow’s milk, and there are several brands that offer different varieties.
Just like Bleu Cheese, Halloumi Cheese brings that salty flavor to your dish. However, don’t expect Halloumi to have that tinge of spice that most people expect from bleu cheese. This isn’t one of these spicy cheeses, though it does taste great when added to different dishes.
It can also be quite expensive depending upon which area you are situated in, as availability often tends to vary. Due to its moderate to high melting point, you should have no trouble while frying or grilling it.
- Habanero Cheddar cheese
If you are unable to get your hands on any of the above-mentioned cheeses, then you may want to go for a slightly more processed choice, and habanero cheddar cheese might prove to be the best option for you. It brings you that extra kick of spicy flavor along with a touch of saltiness.
As compared to most other substitutes, this cheese has significantly more spice than other options. So, if you were looking for a spicier variant of bleu cheese, you can’t go wrong with habanero cheddar cheese.
Originating in Mexico, queso fresco is a fantastic alternative for blue cheese. It is slightly bitter, but if you want that tangy and spicy kick that bleu cheese has to offer, you should absolutely consider using it.
However, it’s important to note that queso fresco is still relatively mild as compared to bleu cheese, so you may have to add a bit more than general.
As always, if you’re using it for the first time, it’s imperative that you start with lesser quantities so that you can get a better understanding of the flavor of the cheese. Once you do, you can always add more!
- Goat Cheese
Arguably the most commonly available alternative to bleu cheese is goat cheese. During its early stages, goat cheese is often tangy, with a sharp tinge and earthy notes. Over time, as the cheese matures, the consistency tends to change, and the texture becomes crumbly.
The flavor also starts to evolve, and it begins to taste more like dried herbs, with just a bit of hazelnut thrown in the mix. Goat cheese is generally saltier when compared with blue cheese, so you need to control the quantity. Start with small quantities, and then continue adding more.
Since it’s so popular, you’re going to find plenty of different flavors out there. For replacing it with blue cheese, it’s recommended that you only go with plain goat cheese.
You can choose from any of the substitutes for bleu cheese depending upon your personal preference and the flavor you are looking for. With so many alternatives available, it’s really easy to just pick one up and start using it!