Queso cotija
Dairy$15.99 / eachApproximate price based on Canadian supermarkets.
Queso cotija - an authentic Mexican cooking ingredient (dairy). Find it in Mexican and Latin American grocery stores across Canada or online via Amazon Canada. The recipes below show how to use this ingredient step by step.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Can't find it? Look in Mexican and Latin American grocery stores in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver or Calgary, or order online via Amazon Canada.
Buy online
Can't find Queso cotija near you? You can also buy it online:
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How it's used in Mexican cooking
Queso cotija, part of the dairy section of the Mexican pantry, appears in 12 recipes in our collection, including Esquites (Mexican Corn Salad), Prepared Corn on the Cob and Grilled Corn on the Cob. Each recipe shows step by step how it is added, in what quantity and which other ingredients it is paired with - the most reliable guide to how it is actually used in Mexican cooking.
Recipes using queso cotija
Esquites (Mexican Corn Salad)
Prepared Corn on the Cob
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Esquites with Bone Marrow
Mexican Chilli Fries (Papas a la Francesa)
Ricotta Flautas (Vegetarian Mexican Flautas)
Crispy Fried Chicken Tacos (Tacos Dorados)
Poblano Pepper and Cheese Empanadas
Chipotle Cream Soup with Sweetcorn
Mexican Street Corn with Mayo and Chilli (Elote)
Mexican Corn Dog
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Storage and substitutes
How to store it
Keep cheese refrigerated and well wrapped, ideally in waxed paper or a container that lets it breathe. Fresh cheeses (panela, queso fresco) last only a few days once opened, while aged ones such as cotija or añejo keep considerably longer.
Substitutes
Common stand-ins outside Mexico: Oaxaca cheese is closest to fresh mozzarella, cotija to aged feta or Parmesan, and queso fresco to a mild white cheese. Not identical, but they work in most recipes.
Frequently asked questions
How many recipes use Queso cotija?
Queso cotija is used in 12 recipes in our collection, such as Esquites (Mexican Corn Salad) and Prepared Corn on the Cob. The full list, with a photo and link for each recipe, is on this page.
Where can I buy Queso cotija in Canada?
You can buy Queso cotija online via the Amazon link on this page, or look for it at Mexican and Latin American grocery stores in Canada.
How should Queso cotija be stored?
Keep cheese refrigerated and well wrapped, ideally in waxed paper or a container that lets it breathe. Fresh cheeses (panela, queso fresco) last only a few days once opened, while aged ones such as cotija or añejo keep considerably longer.