If you are making a recipe that calls for famer’s cheese and you don’t have any, there are a number of great cheeses you can substitute for it.
While famer’s cheese is simple to make, not everyone has time, or even wants to make their own. So if you are making a recipe that calls for famers cheese you will find multiple alternatives you can use no matter what you are making.
So what are the top substitutes for famer’s cheese?
The best farmers cheese substitutes are goat cheese, cream cheese, paneer, quark, neufchâtel, havarti, ricotta, and cottage cheese.
Make sure to read on for the essential tips for using each of these farmers cheese replacements in your recipe.
Farmer’s Cheese Alternatives
Farmer’s cheese can be made from cow or goat milk. It is soft and to semi-soft and offers a rich, buttery flavor that makes it well suited for all types of recipe.
Farmer’s cheese is a popular breakfast cheese, and is equally well suited for serving with pasta and even making dips.
Because farmers cheese is so versatile, it’s important to find an alternative with a similar flavor and texture. And fortunately, there are a number of popular types of cheese that can be used instead of farmers in any type of recipe.
Here are some of the easiest to find cheeses that you can use to make a recipe that calls for famer’s cheese.
Goat Cheese
Goat cheese is a semi soft cheese that offers a wonderful flavor that is rich and tangy. While it’s flavor is a bit stronger than most farmer cheese varieties, it is an exceptional substitute in all types of dishes.
Goat cheese works wonderfully in breakfast recipes as well as pasta and dips. In fact, it is my favorite substitute for farmers cheese.
Goat cheese tends to be a bit higher priced than many other options on this list, but it can be found at most grocery stores.
Related: Goat cheese substitutes
Equivalent
1 cup of goat cheese equals 1 cup of farmers cheese
Cream Cheese
This kitchen staple is an excellent alternative to using farmers cheese. And it can be used in most recipes that call for farmers.
Cream cheese is a soft and tangy option, and it’s flavor is a bit stronger than farmer’s cheese. But it’s flavor pairs well with most recipes that call for farmer’s cheese.
When using cream cheese as a farmers cheese substitute, start by using 2/3 cup for each cup of farmers cheese you recipe calls for. From there, add more only if your texture is not too moist.
Related: Cream cheese substitutes
Equivalent
2/3 cup of cream cheese equals 1 cup of farmers cheese
Paneer
While not as commonly stocked at many grocery stores, paneer is none the less an excellent substitute for famers cheese. Paneer is a common cheese used in Indian cuisine, so you can find it at specialty grocery stores.
Paneer offers a similar flavor and texture to farmers and it can be used in any recipe that calls for famers.
Equivalent
1 cup of paneer equals 1 cup of farmers cheese
Quark
Common in the some European cuisine, quark cheese is an excellent substitute for farmers cheese. This soft cheese is quite similar to cottage cheese, and it can be used in most any recipe that calls for famers.
It offers a rich, creamy flavor and texture that makes it a great option as a breakfast cheese. Some quark does have a higher moisture content than farmers cheese, so you will want to use a bit less to avoid a runny consistency.
Related: Quark substitutes
Equivalent
2/3 cup of quark equals 1 cup of farmer’s cheese
Neufchâtel
Quite similar to cream cheese, neufchâtel also is a great alternative for farmers cheese. With a slightly tangy flavor, neufchâtel will add some complexity to any recipe that uses farmer’s cheese.
This cheese can be found in different consistencies, some creamy and others crumbly, but any variety can be used.
Related: Neufchatel substitute
Equivalent
1 cup of neufchâtel cheese equals 1 cup of farmers cheese
Havarti
This semi soft cheese has a wonderful flavor and texture that makes it a great farmers cheese replacement. It is a bit more acidic than farmers, but it still works well in many types of dishes.
Havarti is easy to find at most grocery stores, but it is a bit higher priced than farmers cheese. Go with a high quality variety and avoid pre-sliced Havarti cheese.
Related: Havarti alternatives
Equivalent
1 cup of Havarti equals 1 cup of farmers cheese
Ricotta
Fresh ricotta is made from either cow or sheep milk and it offers a subtle flavor that makes it an ideal substitute for farmers cheese.
Ricotta does contain salt, so you may need to reduce the amount of added salt in your recipe. Just give it a taste test before adding additional salt and adjust according to taste.
Related: Ricotta vs mascarpone
Equivalent
1 cup of ricotta equals 1 cup of farmers cheese
Cottage Cheese
Farmers cheese is quite similar to cottage cheese before it has been pressed. And that means it makes a great cheese to use in place of farmers cheese in most recipes.
Cottage cheese has a high moisture content with curds and creamy flavor. You can strain your cottage cheese before adding it to your recipe for a moisture content more similar to farmers cheese.
Related: Cottage cheese vs quark
Equivalent
1 cup of strained cottage cheese equals 1 cup of farmers cheese
Famers Cheese Replacement FAQ
Is farmer’s cheese the same as ricotta?
No, but ricotta and farmer’s cheese offer a similar flavor and texture. Both of these cheese can be used in similar recipes but some cooks find farmers cheese better suited for savory dishes while ricotta is an excellent cheese option for desserts.
What kind of cheese is farmer’s cheese?
Farmers cheese is technically a pressed cottage cheese. That means it has had much of it’s natural moisture content squeezed out of it. Farmer’s cheese texture makes it well suited for all types of recipes.
Is feta cheese similar to farmers cheese?
Feta has a stronger, tangier flavor than farmers cheese. But it can be used in place of farmers cheese in many types of recipes. Use a 1:1 ratio of feta to farmers.
Can cream cheese be substituted for farmers cheese?
Yes, cream cheese can be used instead of farmers cheese. It does have a tangier flavor than farmers cheese, so your final dish’s flavor will reflect that. Use a 2/3 of a cup of cream cheese for each cup of farmer’s cheese.
Is baker’s cheese the same as farmers cheese?
Baker’s cheese and farmer’s cheese are very similar. They are both pressed cheeses and offer a similar flavor and texture. These cheese can be used interchangeably.