If youve never heard of farmers cheese, you might be a little put off or even confused by the name. Technically, we can credit farmers with the origination of pretty much every type of cheese that we enjoy today. But farmers cheese is an extra special one that you dont want to miss out on!

Farmers cheese is much more than it sounds like. If youve ever had this special kind of cheese before in pierogies, on a sandwich, crumbled on a breakfast parfait, or as part of a charcuterie board, then youll know its distinctive, smooth and somewhat tangy taste by heart. There are also plenty of farmers cheese substitutes that taste equally as good.

What is Farmers Cheese?

This special type of cheese is an old-school, spreadable soft cheese with curds that is somewhat reminiscent of ricotta. However, its extra special in that, like kefir, its nearly totally lactose-free. Since its dairy content is so low, its a great option for lactose-sensitive people who dont want to sacrifice taste.

But what exactly is farmers cheese? When you break it down, farmers cheese is a fresh and unaged white cheese with a crumbly but spreadable texture that originates in old-world Europe. Its creamy and slightly tangy flavor is mild enough for use in desserts as well as flavorful enough to complement savory dishes.

There are several ways to make this delicious cheese, all of which require varying amounts of commitment. However, many grocery stores carry it, so you dont have to worry about making it at home unless you want to!

Top 5 Farmers Cheese Substitutes

Here are the top 5 farmers cheese substitutes:

1. Dry and Creamed Cottage

Firstly, creamed cottage makes a great substitute for farmers cheese specifically in creamy dishes like dips or baked and cooked goods like pancakes. The creaminess of this cheese comes from the cream added into the cheese after its curdled. This cuts down on the acidity and adds to the mild flavor that draws comparison to farmers cheese.

Next, dry cottage can be used in place of farmers cheese, although it can be a little more difficult to find. If you live near a farmers market, this might be a great first place to look.

The main difference between regular and dry cottage cheese is right in the name! Dry has had all the liquid drained from it, making the texture more crumbly and similar to that of farmers cheese. It makes a great addition to most dishes as a crumbled topping.

2. Paneer

The reason Paneer is such a good substitute for farmers cheese is in its very close taste and texture match. Its made from curdled milk in a very similar process as farmers cheese, with added acid, producing a very similar outcome.

One of the biggest differences between Paneer and farmers cheese is that farmers cheese, although it has a similar mild taste, is often salted, whereas Paneer is not. So if youre using it as a topping for a lasagna or salad, you might want to consider grinding a bit of salt over it for an authentic farmers cheese taste.

3. Neufchâtel Cheese

In France, this soft white cheese is made from raw, unpasteurized cows milk thats left to ripen. The American version uses pasteurized milk and cream to create a milder tasting, higher moisture, lower fat-content, and legal counterpart perfect for use in place of farmers cheese.

Although farmers cheese is already healthy, choose Neufchtel as an even healthier substitute option that will pack an extra nutty, tangy punch that will up-play everything you love about farmers cheese.

4. Goat Cheese

Goat cheese is, however, a little more tangy than farmers cheese, so its best used in savory dishes instead of desserts. However, if eaten very fresh, goat cheese can retain a much milder flavor and be more versatile in sweeter dishes if needed.

All in all, goat cheese is lower in fat, calories, and cholesterol than most other types of cheeses and, due to its low lactose content, is considered easily-digestible for those with sensitive stomachs. Crumble it into savory dishes to experience its full range as a great substitute for farmers cheese.

5. Ricotta Cheese

Ricotta is made from whey, a component of all kinds of milk from cows milk to goats milk to sheeps milk. As such, it has a higher dairy content than farmers cheese and also features a lighter, sweeter taste.

This Italian cheese is also creamier than farmers cheese but makes a great addition to any baked dish or recipe that could benefit more from a creamier texture than the slightly crumbly one offered by farmers cheese.

If youre looking to use ricotta as a farmers cheese substitute, it will likely work best in dessert recipes or smooth, creamy dinner recipes that can be complemented by its sweet taste and smooth texture. Try it out in a cheesecake or even honor its heritage by including it in fresh-churned gelato!

What Can You Make With Farmer’s Cheese?

Whatever way you decide to procure it, farmers cheese is a great addition to a healthy diet since it supplies high amounts of protein, calcium, and a great probiotic content. Its versatility also owes to the fact that its such a great option for lactose-sensitive and gluten-free diets.

One reason that farmers cheese is so popular is that you can do just about anything with it! Its loose texture is perfect for spreading. But its slightly crumbly nature means that its also easily pan-fried or used as a topping on anything from salads to lasagna or a breakfast bagel.

Many people also swear by its merits as a base ingredient for yogurt or cheese spreads, as well as the addition of texture it can give when added to baked pudding or casserole dishes.

However, watch out, because once you get addicted, youll want to use it in everything! In the event that you run out and cant find farmers cheese or the ingredients to make it at your local grocery store, what do you do next?

What Makes a Good Substitute for Farmer’s Cheese

Thankfully, several other types of cheese products can serve as a good farmers cheese substitute in many cases. When selecting a good substitute for farmers cheese, the two important things to remember are taste and texture.

Because of the slightly tangy but still mild flavor of farmers cheese, youll want to choose a substitute with a similar mild taste that wont intrude on the flavors of the dish youre using it in. Youll want the substitute you choose to serve as a good complement to your dish.

Secondly, texture is worth noting because, although farmers cheese is spreadable, it does have a more solid texture than cream cheese or other soft cheeses. In any dish that benefits from the texture of farmers cheese curds, youll want to choose a suitable texture substitute that isnt too creamy.

Final Thoughts

Is your mouth already watering? There are so many wonderful and healthy farmers cheese recipes to explore. From filled ravioli to a pita spread and even sweet pastries and cheesecake, farmers cheese is a highly versatile and enjoyable addition to your diet.

Even if youre unable to get your hands on it, there are many great substitutes for farmers cheese that can supply you with a similar texture and flavor for use in all your favorite dishes.

When it comes down to which is the best farmers cheese substitute, its really up to you! Use ricotta in a rich, creamy dessert and make use of Neufchtel as an amped-up version of farmers cheese in all your most savory creations.

At the end of the day, you cant go wrong with farmers cheese or these flavorful substitutes. Go enjoy all the newfound recipes you can now cook and, even better, eat!

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