If you’re seeking Pecorino cheese replacements, you’ve come to the correct place. Because of its strong flavor and distinct texture, Pecorino cheese complements a wide range of recipes.
However, this does not preclude you from successfully substituting with other cheeses and producing a delicious recipe. Here are 9 other Pecorino Cheese Substitutes.
- Parmesan Cheese
- Asiago Cheese
- Manchego Spanish Cheese
- Grana Padano
- Piave Cheese
- Ossau Iraty Cheese
- Iberico Cheese
- Romano Cheese
- Nutritional Yeast
Pecorino is made from sheep’s milk. Because Pecorino is saltier than other cheese varieties, you can quickly identify it by its distinct aroma and straw-white color.
Various sorts of Parmesan cheese are the best Pecorino cheese substitutes. Still, you can substitute other kinds of cheese and still have a tasty dish to share with your family and friends.
9 Great Pecorino Cheese Alternative
Pecorino cheese can be pricey and difficult to find in the United States, so the following are the most popular and tasty Pecorino cheese substitutes you can use in your dishes. You’ll love the way your food tastes if you replace Pecorino cheese with some of the following.
Parmesan Cheese
Parmesan cheese is one of the most common substitutes in recipes and one of the first alternatives you should try. Parmesan cheese has a salty flavor and a texture comparable to Pecorino’s.
However, it should be noted that some varieties of Parmesan cheese have a higher salt content than others, and you may need to use a smaller amount in your dish.
If you must substitute Parmesan cheese for the Pecorino, be sure to taste it before proceeding. If it turns out to be saltier than you anticipated, you may need to minimize the quantity of additional salt you use or maybe eliminate it.
Pecorino cheese has a higher salt and sour content than Parmesan cheese; therefore, when substituting, taste the cheese first before putting salt into recipes.
DID YOU KNOW?
Because it is a Denominazione di Origine Protetta or DOP cheese, Pecorino can only be manufactured in specific regions of Italy, such as Bologna, Manua, Modena, and Parma, among others.
It must be aged for at least two years to develop the rich, savory flavor, flaky texture, and strong scent that distinguishes it.
Since Parmesan is not controlled in the United States, cheese labeled as Parmesan does not have to be cured as long, and it does not taste nearly as authentic as the real thing.
Parmesan melts quickly and can be used in various baked goods, including pastries, slices of bread, and pasta dishes.
Asiago Cheese
Asiago is a kind of cheese that can be substituted for Pecorino cheese if available in your area. This cheese is delicious, but it isn’t easy to get worldwide.
However, if you do get it, you will undoubtedly love it. Asiago has a relatively milder taste than other Pecorino cheese substitutes and a softer texture.
As a result, if you put it on top of hot meals, it will melt more quickly. It is best served as a side dish or on its own, and it will be a cooking pleasure. The texture of this cheese becomes harder as it ages, bringing it closer to Parmesan and Pecorino.
Asiago cheese is commonly used for grating in a variety of dishes and slicing and serving in cold or hot sandwiches.
Manchego Spanish Cheese
The Manchego Spanish can be used to substitute for Pecorino well, and you can proceed with the recipe as you usually would. It is created from a salty sheep’s milk type; thus, there will be several parallels when talking about the taste between this cheese and the previous one.
There are several different forms of Manchego cheese, each categorized according to how old the cheese is. Semi curado is a younger Manchego Spanish cheese that is soft and has a nearly fruity flavor with hints of grassiness. As Manchego cheese ages, it becomes crumbly and adopts a crisp, somewhat sweet taste with a touch of sweetness.
You’ll get all the Manchego flavors you love with fewer fat and calories without sacrificing taste or texture.
If you’re lactose intolerant, this product is naturally lactose-free. No preservatives are required because the cheese is safe in its original state.
Manchego, an all-natural cheese, will elevate your next salad. This tasty treat contains fewer calories than cream cheese despite its creamy consistency. You can appreciate the taste and texture of its creaminess without gaining weight.
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Grana Padano
Grana Padana is another acceptable alternative for Pecorino, and it can give your food a unique flavor.
Grana Padano cheese, like Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, comes from the Po River Valley in Northern Italy.
Grana Padano, one of the authentic cheeses, is hard enough to scrape when mature. It is lean and savory, and it can be used as a substitute in any cooking without sacrificing flavor or texture.
This cheese’s rich flavor becomes more intricate as it matures; aged variants have a fruity taste of almonds.
Grana Padano contains a lot of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, and riboflavin, so you can eat it even if you prefer gluten-free.
Piave Cheese
Piave is very similar to Parmesan and is sometimes thought to be the best alternative. However, it can also be used in place of Pecorino in various recipes. Piave cheese is available in five distinct aging phases.
The texture becomes harder as it ages. Young Piave may not be the best replacement for Pecorino, but aged Piave is much more similar in flavor and taste.
When replacing Pecorino cheese with Piave, you can maintain the 1:1 ratio. However, you may have to add salt to your dish. When adding seasonings, taste your meals and work to your liking to get the taste and texture you want.
When young, Piave cheese has a white and sweet taste that darkens with age. It makes an excellent substitute for Pecorino due to its ease of availability and use.
Ossau Iraty Cheese
Ossau Iraty is made from sheep’s milk and tastes very similar to Pecorino, despite not being one of the first replacements you might see in shops. Ossau Iraty cheese is a hard French cheese that crumbles well on various dishes.
Because Ossau is mineral-rich and vitamin-packed, it can replace Pecorino cheese.
It’s an excellent way to manage a restricted diet – whether diabetes, food allergies, or consuming too much sodium – if you want a wider range in your diet.
Of course, it goes well with almost everything. It’s like shaving cream in that it can be used to make other recipes, such as macaroons.
The only tricky part of cooking with Ossau Italy cheese is peeling back its firmly folded outer layer. All your hard work will be rewarded once the sweet aroma wafts up from your plate.
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Iberico Cheese
Iberico is also another option that can be substituted for Pecorino cheese. Iberico cheese is made from three different varieties of milk: cow’s milk, sheep’s milk, and goat’s milk.
Iberico has a distinct flavor due to this combination, which will make your recipes stand out. It can be used in cold and hot dishes. It has a hard texture and works well as a topping for pasta or salads. You will, however, enjoy it plain.
Romano Cheese
The crumbly texture of Romano cheese is similar to that of Pecorino cheese. Moreover, it is manufactured from cow’s milk and sheep’s milk; it is comparable to Parmesan cheese in flavor and texture.
Because Romano has a flavor similar to Pecorino, the taste of your meal will be similar.
Remember that Romano, particularly in its initial state, might be challenging to come by in some parts of the country. Still, if you manage to track down any, Romano cheese makes an excellent substitution for your recipes that call for Pecorino as an ingredient.
Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional yeast is a vegetarian food with a pleasantly cheesy flavor and potent dietary benefits. It tastes cheesy and savory and is high in vitamins, protein, and antioxidants.
Nutritional yeast has a rich, intense flavor and is available in flakes, powder, or granules. Nutritional yeasts are high in amino acids and a variety of bioavailable minerals, and they make an excellent alternative for Pecorino cheese.
Other Store-Bought Alternatives
Many cheese substitutes are available online and in stores, if you don’t like nutritional yeast.
These substitutes are commonly marketed as Parmesan substitutes. When purchasing alternatives, look for common allergens such as soy, gluten, or tree nuts on the label.
Recheck the label because some soy substitutes contain casein, a milk protein that is neither dairy-free nor vegan-friendly.
Store-bought substitutes are intended to be used in a 1:1 ratio to replace Pecorino cheese, but take a look at the packaging for specific instructions.
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Pecorino Cheese Substitute Related FAQs
Is Pecorino cheese the same as Romano?
Pecorino is a type of Romano cheese. They are not, however, identical. The distinction between these two kinds of cheese is that Pecorino is made entirely of sheep’s milk, whereas Romano can be prepared from cow’s milk and sheep’s milk.
Because of this primary distinction, Romano has a relatively milder flavor than Pecorino. The texture is likewise not as flaky. Furthermore, Pecorino cheese is saltier than Romano.
What does Pecorino cheese taste like?
Because Pecorino cheese is made from sheep’s milk, it is sharper and saltier than other cheeses. It has a nutty, rich taste that is complemented by dried herbs.
If you’re hoping for something tasty when you try Pecorino cheese for the first time, ensure to get some olive oil on hand. This will assist in cutting through the fuller protein flavor of Pecorino Cheese.
Is Pecorino cheese suitable for Keto diet?
Known for its exceptionally low carbohydrate content and high concentration of nutritional features such as antioxidants, Pecorino is a keto-friendly cheese choice due to its low carbohydrate content and high concentration of dietary characteristics.
What is the proper way to consume pecorino cheese?
In addition to being served as a table cheese, Fresh Pecorino cheese can be consumed on its own with a piece of freshly made bread or with other cheeses.
Pecorino cheese can also be served as an appetizer or with cold meats; it is also used in many traditional Italian dishes, such as pasta, sauces, soups, salads, pizza, and risottos. It is grated or flaked to improve the flavor.
Can I use pre-shredded cheese as a substitute?
Do not replace Pecorino cheese for the pre-sliced cheeses sold in supermarkets. It appears to be convenient but not when you learn how many additives are in pre-shredded cheese.
Purchase your cheeses fresh from the wheel or vacuum-sealed and keep them in the fridge. At home, you can then shred or grind them as desired.