Oaxaca Cheese (Quesillo)
Also known as: Quesillo
Dairy$6.49 / packApproximate price based on US supermarkets.
Oaxacan string cheese, also known as quesillo. Similar to mozzarella, it shreds and melts easily. Essential in quesadillas, tlayudas and stuffed chiles.
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How it's used in Mexican cooking
Oaxaca Cheese (Quesillo), part of the dairy section of the Mexican pantry, appears in 12 recipes in our collection, including Courgette Flower Quesadillas, Birria Tacos (Quesabirria) and Cheese-Stuffed Chillies. 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 oaxaca cheese (quesillo)
Courgette Flower Quesadillas
Birria Tacos (Quesabirria)
Cheese-Stuffed Chillies
Chilli Strips in Cream
Chilli and Cheese Tamales
Oaxacan Tlayudas
Squash with Corn (Calabacitas con Elote)
Puebla-Style Sandwich
Oaxacan Memelas
Sincronizadas (Mexican Pressed Tortilla Sandwich)
Huitlacoche Quesadillas (Corn Truffle)
Chimichangas (Crispy Fried Burritos)
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 Oaxaca Cheese (Quesillo)?
Oaxaca Cheese (Quesillo) is used in 12 recipes in our collection, such as Courgette Flower Quesadillas and Birria Tacos (Quesabirria). The full list, with a photo and link for each recipe, is on this page.
Where can I buy Oaxaca Cheese (Quesillo) in the US?
You can buy Oaxaca Cheese (Quesillo) online via the Amazon link on this page, or look for it at Mexican and Latino grocery stores in the US.
How should Oaxaca Cheese (Quesillo) 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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