Looking for an alternative to Blue Cheese? You’re in the right place! Keep reading for my favourite simple Blue Cheese substitutes both dairy-free (below) and ideas containing dairy.
What is Blue Cheese?
Blue Cheese includes any cheese made with blue Penicillium moulds. The most famous blue cheeses are the French Roquefort and the Italian Gorgonzola. They range in texture from creamy to drier and crumblier like cheddar. And the flavour can be subtle or quite sharp and intense.
The Best Blue Cheese Substitutes – Dairy
1. Goats Cheese
Fresh goats cheese is tangier but lacks the distinctive ‘blue’ flavour of blue cheese. The creamy texture and freshness will work well pretty much everywhere you’d normally use blue cheese.
2. Cream Cheese
Similar to goats cheese but even less tangy and milder in flavour cream cheese will work fine to replace blue cheese Especially in dishes where there are a lot of other strong flavours.
3. Feta
The texture of feta is dryer and more crumbly than most blue cheese. The flavour is saltier and not as complex but I often use feta when I don’t have any blue cheese in the fridge. Just be mindful of the salt and be prepared to use less seasoning in your dish.
4. Persian Feta
Persian feta is generally marinated in oil and has a lovely tangy flavour and creamy texture that is a good match. You will be equally happy to have it scattered on your salad.
5. Cottage Cheese
Milder and creamier and way less flavoursome, cottage cheese will be better than nothing to replace your hunks of blue cheese.
6. Ricotta
Will work in a similar way to cottage cheese without the bumpy bits.
7. Halloumi
The texture of halloumi is significantly harder and more crumbly. Plus the flavour is way more salty but it will provide a similar substance and cheesy goodness.
8. Parmesan
Shaved parmesan has a stronger more savoury cheesey flavour profile to blue cheese. The colour is more yellow and the texture much harder and dryer but it will add similar bursts of flavour and umami.
9. Greek Yoghurt
Yoghurt of course is more liquid so won’t work in all areas but can provide an alternative source of tangy, creamy goodness.
10. Labneh
This creamy ‘cheese’ made from yoghurt isn’t as firm as blue cheese but it adds a lovely tang anywhere you’d normally use blue cheese.
The Best Dairy-Free Blue Cheese Substitutes
1. Roast Nuts
For texture and big flavour hit roast walnuts will take your dish in a different direction but it won’t be lacking in flavour or crunch. Other nuts like almonds, pinenuts, pistachios, macadamias or cashews will all work in a similar manner.
2. Olives
If you’re looking for a salty, briny burst of flavour, a handful of olives is the second best dairy-free and vegan alternative to blue cheese.
3. Hummus
This is a bit of an unusual idea but adding a big dollop of creamy hummus can add the tang and substance you’d otherwise get from blue cheese.
4. Avocado
Chunks of avo will add creamy goodness and substance to your dish. For an even closer match add in a squeeze of lemon or lime.
5. Babaganoush
Works in a similar way to hummus.
6. Sun Dried Tomatoes
A similar idea to olives, sun dried tomatoes are bursting with flavour and will add a little sweetness to your dish instead of a salt hit.
7. Capers
Work in a similar way to olives. Salted capers will be the best choice although capers in vinegar are better than nothing.
How to Store Blue Cheese
Blue cheese in sealed packages can be stored for months in the refrigerator. I generally ignore the best before date and eat it even weeks after it is out of date. As long as it still smells pleasantly blue cheesey.
Once opened I store blue cheese in glass jars or sealed plastic bags. Because the Penicillium roqueforti mould likes to spread to other cheese, I store blue cheeses separately to other cheese.
It can be frozen although there’s generally no need because it lasts so long in the fridge.
Blue Cheese Goes with…
- Dates & Blue Cheese
- Celery & Blue Cheese
- Eggs & Blue Cheese
- Parsley & Blue Cheese
- Sage & Blue Cheese
- Proscuitto & Blue Cheese
- Balsamic & Blue Cheese
- Walnuts & Blue Cheese
More Ingredient Substitutes
- Butter
- Cream
- Crème Fraîche
- Double Cream
- Greek Yoghurt
- Goats Cheese
- Feta Cheese
- Halloumi Cheese
- Parmesan Cheese
- Pecorino Substitutes
- Sour Cream
- Yoghurt
Also see see the Simple Ingredients Substitutes Index.
Have fun in the kitchen!
With love,
Jules x
