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Cotija Cheese
MexicanDairy

Cotija Cheese

Cotija cheese is a dry, firm, and very salty cheese, similar in texture to Parmesan. It is crumbled over prepared corn, tacos, beans, Aztec soup, and enchiladas. Its name comes from the town of Cotija in Michoacán. The more aged it is, the harder and more intensely salty and lactic its flavour becomes.

Estimated retail price

~£6.99 / 200g

Typical price at UK Mexican grocers

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How it's used in Mexican cooking

Cotija Cheese, part of the dairy section of the Mexican pantry, appears in more than 20 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 with Cotija Cheese

Esquites (Mexican Corn Salad)Street Food

Esquites (Mexican Corn Salad)

Prepared Corn on the CobStreet Food

Prepared Corn on the Cob

Grilled Corn on the CobStreet Food

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Esquites with Bone MarrowStreet Food

Esquites with Bone Marrow

Mexican Chilli Fries (Papas a la Francesa)Street Food

Mexican Chilli Fries (Papas a la Francesa)

Ricotta Flautas (Vegetarian Mexican Flautas)Street Food

Ricotta Flautas (Vegetarian Mexican Flautas)

Crispy Fried Chicken Tacos (Tacos Dorados)Tacos

Crispy Fried Chicken Tacos (Tacos Dorados)

Poblano Pepper and Cheese EmpanadasStreet Food

Poblano Pepper and Cheese Empanadas

Chipotle Cream Soup with SweetcornSopas Y Caldos

Chipotle Cream Soup with Sweetcorn

Mexican Street Corn with Mayo and Chilli (Elote)Street Food

Mexican Street Corn with Mayo and Chilli (Elote)

Mexican Corn DogStreet Food

Mexican Corn Dog

Mexican Street Corn SaladStreet Food

Mexican Street Corn Salad

CodzitosStreet Food

Codzitos

Crazy Fries (Papas Locas)Street Food

Crazy Fries (Papas Locas)

Trolelote - Corn Cup with Crushed TakisStreet Food

Trolelote - Corn Cup with Crushed Takis

Gazpacho MorelianoStreet Food

Gazpacho Moreliano

Grilled Corn with Chipotle ButterStreet Food

Grilled Corn with Chipotle Butter

Chorizo and Bean SopesStreet Food

Chorizo and Bean Sopes

Zacatecas Ground Enchiladas with PotatoEnchiladas

Zacatecas Ground Enchiladas with Potato

Corn Cups with Chamoy (Esquites)Street Food

Corn Cups with Chamoy (Esquites)

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 Cotija Cheese?

Cotija Cheese is used in more than 20 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 Cotija Cheese in the UK?

You can buy Cotija Cheese online via the Amazon link on this page, or look for it at Latin American grocers in the UK.

How should Cotija Cheese 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.

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