Holiday Gift Guide for Cheese Lovers Shop gifts

Cow Milk Cheeses from Mexico

Discover cheeses made from cow milk in Mexico, from historic recipes to contemporary creations.

Clear Filters

Chihuahua Cheese (Menonita)

Menonita, also known as Queso Chihuahua or Chihuahua cheese, is a semi-soft cheese from Mexico. Made from cow's milk, it can be crafted using either pasteurized or unpasteurized milk. The cheese has a pale yellow color and a natural rind. …

Country: Mexico
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Semi-soft
Flavor: Buttery, mild

Cotija

Cotija is an aged Mexican cheese from the town of Cotija in Michoacán, made by hand from cow's milk. It is white, firm and salty, and it is used crumbled or grated over tacos, soups, salads and elote.

Country: Mexico
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Hard
Flavor: Salty, strong

Queso Fresco

Queso fresco is a fresh cow's milk cheese made by curdling and draining milk with little other processing. Soft, mild and crumbly, it is a staple of Latin American cooking and is eaten within days of being made.

Country: Mexico
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Fresh, crumbly
Flavor: Mild, Tangy

Panela

Panela is a fresh Mexican cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk, sold in bright white inverted cones. Its flavor is bland because the cheese is mostly unsalted, and it softens without melting, so it can be fried or crumbled over …

Country: Mexico
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Fresh
Flavor: Bland, mostly unsalted

Anejo Enchilado

Añejo enchilado is an aged Mexican cheese from Zacatecas, made from skimmed goat's or cow's milk and rolled in paprika. It tastes salty and sharp, close to Parmesan, and gets grated over enchiladas, tacos, and tostadas.

Country: Mexico
Milk Type: Cow's or goat's milk
Texture: Semi-hard
Flavor: Salty, sharp, spicy, strong

Queso Para Frier

Queso Para Frier is a popular cheese from Mexico and the Caribbean, known for its ability to hold its shape when cooked. Made from pasteurized cow's milk, this cheese has a soft texture and a mild, salty flavor. It is …

Country: Mexico and Caribbean
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Soft
Flavor: Mild, salty

Criollo Cheese

Criollo cheese is a semi-hard raw cow's milk cheese from the area around Taxco, in northern Guerrero, Mexico. Its yellow to orange paste is full of eyes, the taste is mild and slightly sweet, and it browns well under a …

Country: Mexico
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Semi-hard
Flavor: Savory, sharp

Queso Blanco con Frutas - Pina y Mango

Queso Blanco con Frutas - Piña y Mango is a soft cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk, popular in Mexico and the Caribbean. It has a natural rind and a straw-colored interior. The cheese is infused with the flavors of …

Country: Mexico and Caribbean
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Soft
Flavor: Fruity, lemony

Oaxaca

Oaxaca cheese is a white, semihard, low-fat cheese from the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. It is stretched into long ribbons and rolled up like a ball of yarn, and its texture is like mozzarella or string cheese.

Country: Mexico
Milk Type: Cow's milk
Texture: Semi-hard, stringy

Also Made With Cow Milk

These cheeses are mainly made from another milk, but some versions use cow milk.

Asadero

Asadero is a white, flat, mild cheese from Chihuahua, Mexico, made fresh from goat and cow's milk. It melts well and is often eaten with bread or tortillas.

Country: Mexico
Milk Type: Cow's and goat's milk
Texture: Melts well
Flavor: Mild