Queso de Burgos vs Swaledale Cheese

Q: Is Queso de Burgos the same as Swaledale Cheese?

No. Queso de Burgos and Swaledale Cheese are distinct cheeses from Spain and England respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Queso de Burgos for Swaledale Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Queso de Burgos for Swaledale Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Does Queso de Burgos taste like Swaledale Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. See the side-by-side table above for details.

Q: Which should I choose, Queso de Burgos or Swaledale Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture and flavor rows in the table above are the best guide. Pick the one whose profile fits your recipe or board.

Queso de Burgos

Swaledale Cheese

Queso de Burgos is a fresh, slightly grainy or buttery, elastic, slightly fatty cow and sheep-milk cheese from Spain, while Swaledale Cheese is moist, medium firm and made from cow, goat, or sheep milk, originating in England.

What Is Queso de Burgos?

Queso de Burgos is a fresh white cheese from the province of Burgos, Spain, eaten within days of being made. Once a sheep's milk cheese sold at the Burgos market, it received EU Protected Geographical Indication status in September 2025.

What Is Swaledale Cheese?

Swaledale is a full fat hard cheese from Richmond in Swaledale, North Yorkshire, made with unpasteurised cow, sheep or goat milk. It is known for its moist medium firm texture and a rind of grey-blue mould or natural wax.

What's the Difference Between Queso de Burgos and Swaledale Cheese?

Origin: Queso de Burgos (Spain), Swaledale Cheese (England)
Milk type: Queso de Burgos (Cow’s and sheep’s milk), Swaledale Cheese (cow, sheep, goat)
Milk treatment: Queso de Burgos (Pasteurized), Swaledale Cheese (raw)
Texture: Queso de Burgos (Fresh, slightly grainy or buttery, elastic, slightly fatty), Swaledale Cheese (moist, medium firm)
Rind: Queso de Burgos (None), Swaledale Cheese (grey-blue mould or natural wax)
Aging: Queso de Burgos (Fresh, not matured), Swaledale Cheese (3 to 4 weeks)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Queso de Burgos	Swaledale Cheese
Country of Origin	Spain	England
Specific Origin	Province Of Burgos	Swaledale, North Yorkshire
Milk Type	Cow’s and sheep’s milk	Cow, sheep, goat
Milk Treatment	Pasteurized	Raw
Texture	Fresh, slightly grainy or buttery, elastic, slightly fatty	Moist, medium firm
Rind	None	Grey-blue mould or natural wax
Aging	Fresh, not matured	3 to 4 weeks
Taste	Mild, milky, and slightly sweet	—

Taste Comparison: Does Queso de Burgos Taste Like Swaledale Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Queso de Burgos shows slightly salty or not salty, no acidity or bitterness; varying intensity of sheep’s milk aftertaste depending on type, while Swaledale Cheese leans toward fresh and bracken-like, with a sweet caramel undertone from ewes' milk. Aging plays into this as well. Queso de Burgos at fresh, not matured develops a different profile than Swaledale Cheese at 3 to 4 weeks.

Can You Substitute Queso de Burgos for Swaledale Cheese?

Queso de Burgos can stand in for Swaledale Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect fresh, slightly grainy or buttery, elastic, slightly fatty bite and body where the recipe calls for moist, medium firm.

Which Is Better, Queso de Burgos or Swaledale Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a fresh, slightly grainy or buttery, elastic, slightly fatty cheese, go with Queso de Burgos. For a moist, medium firm profile, Swaledale Cheese is the better fit.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Queso de Burgos the same as Swaledale Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Queso de Burgos originates in Spain, while Swaledale Cheese comes from England. Queso de Burgos is made from cow and sheep milk; Swaledale Cheese uses cow, goat, or sheep. Aging also differs: Queso de Burgos is typically aged fresh, not matured, Swaledale Cheese 3 to 4 weeks.

Is Queso de Burgos similar to Swaledale Cheese?

Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.

Can I substitute Queso de Burgos for Swaledale Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.

Does Queso de Burgos taste like Swaledale Cheese?

They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.

What is Queso de Burgos made of?

Queso de Burgos is made from cow and sheep milk (pasteurized). It's typically aged fresh, not matured. It originates in Spain.

What is Swaledale Cheese made of?

Swaledale Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (raw), using rennet added after culturing rennet. It's typically aged 3 to 4 weeks. It originates in England.

Which should I choose, Queso de Burgos or Swaledale Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Queso de Burgos is fresh, slightly grainy or buttery, elastic, slightly fatty, while Swaledale Cheese is moist, medium firm.