We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Food

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Queso Fresco?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 130,471
Share

Queso fresco is a traditional Mexican cheese which is a common ingredient in a wide range of dishes. The cheese is a quintessential part of Mexican cuisine, and is often available in Mexican markets and grocery stores. In Mexico, queso fresco is often a raw milk cheese, but in the United States the cheese is made from pasteurized milk, due to concerns about bacteria in raw milk. Both cheeses behave slightly differently, with the American cheese being more prone to melting.

In Spanish, the name of the cheese means “fresh cheese.” Classic queso fresco is snow white, very soft, moist, and mild in flavor. The cheese is also rather crumbly, making it ideal for crumbling over dishes like salads and enchiladas. The creamy cheese is also used as a filling in many Mexican dishes. It will soften and become creamy when heated, but it will not melt.

The cheese is always made from cow's milk, and could be likened to farmer cheese or pot cheese. To make queso fresco, milk is curdled, salted, and lightly pressed. The aging process for the cheese is very brief, usually no more than a few days, and then the cheese is sent to market. Traditional queso freso is good for around five days, although many dairies add stabilizers and handle the cheese slightly differently to extend the shelf life.

Since queso fresco is best when it is as fresh as possible, the cheese should be purchased on the day it is to be used, ideally. It can be kept wrapped in the fridge for several days, but it will start to lose texture and flavor. In addition to being used in Mexican dishes which call for this cheese, it can also be used like other mild crumbly cheeses in dishes from other nations.

There have been documented cases of illness in the United States relating to pasteurized queso fresco which was handled improperly at the manufacturer. This illustrates the potential danger which can lurk in any food which is not cared for with respect. Try to purchase all cheeses from reputable dairies which are inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture or similar international regulatory agencies. In most countries, a cheese must be labeled with a plant number where it was produced, allowing consumers to look up safety inspection data on that plant.

Share
DelightedCooking is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By anon159893 — On Mar 13, 2011

sometimes it's good straight from the package. good snack.

By anon80812 — On Apr 28, 2010

You can buy frecso in 12,15,18,24oz rounds at wallmart and other stores made in the usa by ole foods.

By succulents — On Jan 31, 2010

It's not always sold in rounds or square chunks, some stores only carry it in tubs, like cottage cheese is packaged.

If you can't find queso fresco, you can substitute with a mild Feta cheese instead.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.delightedcooking.com/what-is-queso-fresco.htm
Copy this link
DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.