15 Most Delicious Mexican Cheeses
This is a post dedicated to all cheese lovers out there. If that’s what you consider yourself, then this research will have you longing to taste all the cheeses of Mexico.
Autochthonous cheese production has developed in many regions of the country, the most important being Oaxaca, Chiapas, Chihuahua, and Querétaro. The best cheeses are handmade and can be found in local markets, while commercial, industrially produced cheeses and European imitations can be found packaged in supermarkets.
Get ready for a cheesy Mexican tour!
1. Quesillo (Oaxaca Cheese)
A soft delicacy! Delicious and famous around the world, Oaxaca cheese is simply one of the best cheeses in Mexico. Its official name is Quesillo.
It takes a little time to produce and the strips that are wrapped up into balls are made by the kneading process.
2. Ahumado (Smoked)
Deliciously firm and strong in flavor, this one originated in Spain and was adopted by the state of Chiapas after the conquest. It is wood smoked for seven hours… (sigh!).
3. Panela
Moist, light, fresh, and soft! What else can you ask for? It’s also known as basket cheese and you can use it to fill enchiladas, a stuffed chili, or a tamale… divine!
Aromatic herbs, chilies, or quelites can be added when it is being produced. Mexican quelite, or epazote, gives it a fresher and more herbal aroma.
4. Botanero
This delicacy is prepared with different chilies (jalapeño, different green peppers, or chipotles). Peanuts and sesame seeds can also be added. Enjoy it in small bites and with a glass of red wine.
5. Asadero
Smooth with a taste like sour cream!
Also known as Menonita cheese, it is usually sold in the form of a thin tortilla, especially for quesadillas, stuffed zucchinis, or montados.
It is a personal favorite because its thin tortilla shape makes it very versatile for cooking. It can be used in many dishes; you just have to let your imagination run free.
6. Ranchero
Fresh and similar to panela, Ranchero crumbles easily, which is perfect for garnishing chilaquiles, flautas, or refried beans.
This cheese can be made with cow’s or goat’s milk and is also ideal for tacos or for topping a crispy chicken toast.
7. Chihuahua
Oh my… a real favorite! It’s soft and melts in the mouth. Mennonite communities were the first to make this cheese, also known as rueda cheese.
It has a delicate flavor and aroma, yellow color, and a consistency that allows it to melt easily.
8. Cotija
Delicious and aged, this cheese is also known as the “Mexican parmesan”.
It crumbles easily and does not need refrigeration, which means it continues to mature and age. It is ideal for pasta and salads.
9. Poroso
This is salty and delicious! Although it has a firm texture, when heated it melts easily. It’s great for putting in quesadillas or enchiladas.
10. Adobera
This is a cheese with a salty flavor and a crumbly texture and it simply melts in the mouth. You can eat it fresh on top of some refried beans or melted in quesadillas. Yummy!
11. Tenate
Excessively creamy! And simply beautiful to look at because it is made in a mold of woven palms. Proudly, 100% handmade.
12. Ocosingo or Bola (Ball)
Creamy and fresh! This one comes in a round shape and has a hard coating. It has an acidic flavor and a very characteristic aroma. This tasty cheese is definitely ideal for cheese lovers.
It is made with raw cow’s milk and is kneaded, shaped into a ball, and immersed in brine. You can also find it with green chilies added.
13. Cincho
Delicious and fresh, this cheese is white and has a soft texture. It is also made with raw milk. Cincho means belt or hoop, which is used to hold the cheese paste.
14. Sierra de Durango
Imagine a beautiful melting quesabirria with this one…
Smelly, greasy, creamy… gosh! It is usually covered with a chili, garlic, and salt paste which serves to protect it from bacteria and fungi and allows the cheese to ripen and age.
It is a seasonal cheese since it is only available from June to August. It is prepared in wooden molds and covered with a layer of guajillo pepper. This is what gives it its beautiful red color.
15. Queso Fresco
Queso fresco, also known as fresh cheese or queso blanco, is a staple in Mexican households, and is so easy to make, it’s a wonder why everyone isn’t enjoying this cheese all the time. It is pure white and super versatile.
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I can’t seem to find the same delicious tasting Mexican food I had as a child in the early 1960’s in Anaheim, CA. at the La Palma drive-in. It had yellow/orange cheese not the tasteless white stuff I see so much today. What style/state could that have been? Thanks!
Hi!
Hi Donald,
That’s a great question and you’re definitely not the only one who’s noticed the difference.
If you were enjoying Mexican food in Southern California in the early 1960s, the cheese was very likely mild cheddar, Longhorn cheddar, or a cheddar-Jack blend, rather than a traditional Mexican cheese. Many Mexican-American restaurants of that era—especially drive-ins and family-style establishments—used yellow or orange cheeses because they melted well and appealed to local tastes.
Today, many authentic Mexican dishes are made with white cheeses such as queso fresco, queso Oaxaca, queso Chihuahua, or queso panela, which have a milder flavor and a different texture. Those cheeses are delicious in their own right, but they’re quite different from the rich, tangy orange cheese that was common in classic California-style Mexican restaurants.
So the flavor you’re remembering was most likely old-school Cal-Mex cuisine rather than a cheese from a particular Mexican state. If you’re trying to recreate those nostalgic flavors, a good-quality mild or medium cheddar, Longhorn cheddar, or a cheddar-Monterey Jack blend will probably come closest.
Best,
Chef’s Pencil Team