Need a tasty blue cheese substitute? Welcome. Alternatives are easy to locate for allergies, dietary restrictions, and taste preferences.
Blue cheese’s sharp flavor isn’t shared by many other foods – it’s unique and authentic. But, this same quality also makes it unfit for some people because of its intensity.
So I’ve made a list of healthy blue cheese substitutes that will make your salads, sauces, and dips taste better – from creamy, tangy feta to handmade bleu cheese.
Let’s choose a tasty blue cheese alternative!
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What is blue cheese?
You can identify blue cheese by the distinctive green or blue veins that run through it.
This cheese prepared from cow, sheep, or goat milk is matured for several months to allow the introduction of mold cultures.
The mold cultures are responsible for the distinctive veining and also contribute to the cheese’s distinctively sharp and acidic flavor.
Blue cheese is a versatile component that can be used in everything from salads and sandwiches to pasta and pizza. It’s also a common addition to cheese boards, where it can be enjoyed with fruit, crackers, and wine.
Although some may find the strong, pungent aroma of blue cheese off-putting, many cheese enthusiasts adore it for its one-of-a-kind taste and texture.
Blue cheese substitutes (blue options)
There are so many types of blue cheese that one can usually be substituted for another.
- Gorgonzola Dolce
Gorgonzola Dolce is a moderate blue cheese with a creamier texture. It replaces blue cheese in milder sauces and salads. Italian pasta, risotto, and meats work nicely with the tangy taste of Gorgonzola cheese.
This cheese variety, like most other blue cheeses, isn’t vegetarian so I usually opt for vegetarian or vegan alternatives.
- Roquefort
Another blue cheese option, Roquefort, is matured in caves and has a distinct flavor and scent. Roquefort cheese enhances salads, spaghetti, and dips.
It tastes fantastic with fruits and nuts on a cheese board.
- Cambozola
Cambozola is a Gorgonzola-Camembert blend. It’s a great substitution for blue cheese in milder dishes since it’s creamy like Camembert and sour like Gorgonzola.
This type of cheese goes nicely with sweet fruits and nuts.
To test its versatility, I used vegan Cambozola as to substitute for blue cheese dressing. It was creamier than I had expected and very delicious.
- Danish blue (Danablu)
Danish blue cheese is milder than regular blue cheese and creamier. It’s a good substitute for blue cheese if you don’t like its sharpness.
I love using vegetarian Danablu in salads. It tastes amazing combined with apples, arugula and honey mustard dressing.
Would you try a salad like that? These arugula substitutes might spark more ideas!
- Bleu d’Auvergne
French cheese Bleu d’Auvergne has a creamy texture. Its milder tangy flavor makes it a good replacement for blue cheese.
- Blue Stilton
Stilton is a mild English blue cheese. It can add a crumbly texture and sour taste to salads, burgers and more.
Stilton is almost always vegetarian and for me, it stands out among other blue cheese varieties. The intricate flavors it gives mac & cheese are unbeatable.
- Maytag
Maytag blue cheese is a mild American blue cheese. It’s creamy and slightly sweet, substituting for the blue cheese taste in salads and sauces.
- Monte Enebro
Monte Enebro is a Spanish blue cheese. Its intense flavor and aroma make it a great choice for salads, sauces, and pizzas.
- Vegan blue cheese
Vegan blue cheese substitutes let lactose-intolerant and vegan people enjoy blue cheese. Made from cashew, tofu, or nutritional yeast, these alternatives taste and feel like blue cheese.
In my opinion, you can substitute blue cheese with vegan blue cheese in any recipe. On top of that, a homemade version is so much easier to whip up.
Blue cashew cheese and almond cheese are amazing options!
Non-blue substitutes
Non-blue types of cheeses similar to blue cheese can also have powerful flavor profiles to replace the original strong flavor.
- Feta cheese
Feta cheese like blue cheese crumbles easily and tastes sour and salty, making it a great topping for salads, pizzas, and sandwiches. This Greek cheese has a milder flavor, making it a good substitute for blue cheese crumbles.
In place of blue cheese, I used feta in a veggie wellington dish. It didn’t have the same punch but enough salty flavor and tangy nuances to taste fantastic!
- Goat cheese
Goat cheese, acidic and creamy, can replace blue cheese. While milder, it has a distinct and nuanced flavor that works well with acidic and somewhat aromatic dishes.
I love using this creamy cheese as a blue cheese alternative in hot dishes like cheese and broccoli pasta bake or roasted Brussels sprouts. Each combination is a game-changer!
- Cheddar cheese
Cheddar cheese has a sharp flavor that complements dishes like salads and cheese sandwiches. It can be used in some blue cheese recipes as well.
While making a creamy sauce for a pasta dish, I substituted cheddar for blue cheese. The result was a sharpness in flavor reminiscent of blue cheese.
Cheddar cheese can also be replaced, and it’s discussed in my article on cheddar cheese substitutes. Check it out!
- Queso fresco
Queso fresco is a mild cheese with a crumbly texture similar to feta. It goes well with salads and tacos and can be used as a blue cheese substitute in some tasty dishes.
- Blue cheese and cream cheese mix
Use equal parts cream cheese and blue cheese for a softer flavour. This cheese mixture makes a creamy and zesty dip for vegetables. Perfect with some herbs or spices!
Is blue cheese vegetarian?
Blue cheese is typically not considered vegetarian, as it is often made using animal rennet. Animal rennet is an enzyme found in the stomachs of mammals like cows and sheep, which helps coagulate milk when making cheese.
A few blue cheeses, however, are produced without the use of animal rennet. The packaging of such cheeses will normally indicate whether or not it is suitable for vegetarian or vegan diets.
Some brands with vegan blue cheese products are Violife, Follow Your Heart and Miyoko’s Creamery.
The vegan status of different foods is a frequent topic on my blog.
If you’re interested, you can find answers to the questions like: are energy drinks vegan? or can vegans eat Lay’s chips? And more.
Blue cheese substitute FAQs
A 100g serving of blue cheese contains 353 calories.
Yes, vegan cheese is a delicious and healthy alternative to blue cheese. It can be created from soy, nutritional yeast, almonds, or cashews.
Feta cheese is the best substitute for blue cheese in salads. A salty and somewhat sour taste and crumbly soft texture are a welcome addition to any cuisine.
Yes, cheeses like blue cheese are almost always prepared using cow milk. Using sheep milk or goat milk will yield a blue cheese with a somewhat distinct flavour profile.
Blue cheese is a good source of bone- and tooth-healthy minerals – calcium and phosphorus.
Blue cheese’s antioxidants may help your body fight against the damaging effects of free radicals.
It also has probiotics, which are good for your gut, and immune-boosting zinc and vitamin B12.
Curious about them? Learn what the probiotics are and whether they’re vegan!
Is it easy to make homemade blue cheese?
Yes, blue cheese can be manufactured at home with little effort. But, it is necessary to be patient as the cheese ages and acquires its own flavor.
BOTTOM LINE: feta, goat cheese, cheddar, vegan blue cheese, or a blend of cream cheese and blue cheese will give you the taste of blue cheese. Try these replacements and pick one that matches your taste.
Are there any blue cheese lovers here? What is a good substitute for blue cheese in your mind?
In need of a little extra cheese? Check out these Cheshire cheese substitutes!
If you’re after something milder maybe brie and ideas for what to eat with brie are more up your alley!