Queso Fresco

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Queso fresco is a Mexican semi-soft cheese made from cow’s milk, acclaimed for its iconic crumbly texture. This popular cheese has a mild, slightly tangy flavor and is not aged, making it a versatile addition to a variety of dishes.

It is commonly crumbled over popular Mexican dishes like taquitos dorados, enchiladas, sopes, empanadas, and gorditas. Making queso fresco at home is both simple and economical, costing under $5.00, and allows you to enjoy this delicious cheese fresh and at its best.

Delicious Flavors! 

Growing up, I had the pleasure of enjoying some of the finest cheeses Mexico has to offer, including cotija, requesón, and of course, the beloved queso fresco!

In fact, I fondly remember trucks driving around our town, stopping at homes to sell baskets of queso fresco wrapped in banana leaves. My mother would always buy some, and I recall us devouring it with homemade fresh tortillas and a classic salsa.

This recipe draws from the unique, classic, and fresh flavors that sparked my deep affection for Mexican cheeses. With just a few simple steps, you can easily create unforgettable flavors and everlasting memories.

Vinegar vs. Lemon Juice 

Vinegar and lemon juice are two of the most natural acid options for making cheese. Personally, I’ve found that vinegar provides better and more consistent results. Here are a few things to consider when choosing between these two acidity options.

White Distilled Vinegar

• Consistent Acidity: Vinegar has a standardized acidity level of about 5%, ensuring consistent results every time.
• Clear Flavor: It imparts a clean, neutral flavor to the cheese.
• Curd Formation: Vinegar helps create firmer, more defined curds, resulting in a firmer cheese.

Lemon Juice 

• Variable Acidity: Lemon juice can vary in acidity levels depending on factors like growing conditions and ripeness, leading to inconsistent results.
• Curd Formation: The variability in acid levels can produce softer, smaller curds, resulting in a softer queso fresco.
• Flavor: It imparts a subtle, mild lemon flavor that adds a sweet, tangy note to the cheese.

Having said that, both options will create queso fresco, but I find vinegar to be the easier and more reliable choice, resulting in better-tasting cheese. If you prefer to experiment with lemon juice, the decision is ultimately yours.

Choose The Correct Milk 

When making queso fresco, it’s important to use whole pasteurized milk rather than ultra-pasteurized milk. Doing so will help avoid the following issues:

• Poor Curd Formation
• Texture Issues
• Inconsistent Results
• Flavor Imbalance

Ingredients 

• Whole milk is essential for achieving the best results and should be the only type used for making queso fresco.
• White distilled vinegar provides a consistent, clean flavor and produces the best curds for queso fresco.
• Iodized salt seasons the cheese evenly and enhances all the flavors effectively.

Prep the Banana Leaves

Preparing fresh banana leaves is essential; this process softens and cleans them, making them ready for use.

• Remove Stems: Cut off any remaining rough and hard stem parts.
• Blanch: Immerse the leaves in hot water for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Rinse: Quickly rinse the leaves under cold water.
• Dry: Pat the leaves dry with a towel.

I prefer using fresh banana leaves, which I typically find at my local Mexican store. However, frozen banana leaves will work as well.

Equipment 

Making queso fresco is simple and doesn’t require fancy equipment. With just a few basic tools you likely already have, you can easily get the job done. Here are the tools you’ll need:

• Large Stainless Steel Stock Pot
• Instant-Read Thermometer
• Skimmer
• Fine-Mesh Strainer
• Cheesecloth
• Measuring Cups

Feel free to click on each tool to check out the products I recommend and use for this recipe.

How To Make Queso Fresco 

In a large pot over medium heat, slowly heat a gallon of whole milk to 185-190°F. Stir occasionally at first, then continuously as the milk warms to prevent it from sticking to the bottom and burning. It’s important to stay attentive and not walk away, ensuring the milk doesn’t boil.

Once the milk reaches 185-190°F, remove the pot from the heat. Add the vinegar in two portions, mixing well after each addition to ensure it is evenly distributed. Let the mixture sit undisturbed for 20 minutes.

Place a fine-mesh strainer inside a large bowl and cover it with a large piece of cheesecloth. Using a skimmer, break apart the firm yet smooth curds and scoop them into the cheesecloth, leaving the whey behind.

Close and secure the cheesecloth, letting it sit in the strainer for a few minutes to slightly cool down. Then, carefully squeeze out most of the whey by twisting or pressing down while it remains inside the strainer.

Transfer the curds into a large bowl and break them apart. Add salt to taste and knead by hand for about 2 minutes, until the mixture becomes smooth but maintains a crumbly texture.

Line a round glass container with the squeezed cheesecloth. Add the cheese in sections, pressing down each time to mold it smoothly until all the cheese is in the container. Use the bottom of a glass to press the top, ensuring a smooth surface.

Remove the cheese from the mold and cheesecloth. Wrap it in banana leaves (or parchment paper if preferred) and then wrap it in plastic wrap to keep out odors and prevent further drying.

Refrigerate for 8 hours before serving.

Recipe Video Tutorial 

Below is my easy to follow video tutorial on how to make this Queso Fresco.

It will give you an additional in-depth knowledge and the visuals of the step-by-step process to enhance your understanding.

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Cheese Consistency

The consistency of the cheese is achieved by kneading the curds together. 

• For a more crumbly texture, knead until the curds are still crumbly but can be smoothly pressed into shape. This usually takes about 1-2 minutes.

• For a creamier queso fresco, perfect for spreading or serving as a side to a main course, knead for 4-5 minutes until it reaches a smooth texture with minimal crumble. 

How To Use

Queso fresco does not melt but softens and crumbles beautifully, making it ideal for a variety of Mexican recipes. It’s commonly used in or with:

• Enchiladas
• Sopes
• Chilaquiles
• Refried Beans
• Mexican Street Corn
• Crunchy Tacos
• Corn Tortillas

How To Store 

• Always wrap the cheese tightly to prevent it from drying out and absorbing odors.
• Always store the wrapped cheese in the refrigerator. Properly stored, homemade queso fresco will last for about 1 week.
• Queso fresco is best enjoyed fresh, as its name suggests. Freezing is not recommended, as it can alter the cheese’s texture.

Periodically inspect the cheese for signs of spoilage, such as an off odor, mold, or excessive moisture. If any of these are present, discard the cheese.

More Condiments To Try

• Salsa Macha Onions
• Pineapple Salsa
• Pickled Carrots
• Mexican Salsa
• Roasted Habanero Guacamole

FAQs : Your Questions Answered

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