Goat Cheese vs Pecorino Cheese

Q: Is Goat Cheese the same as Pecorino Cheese?

No. Goat Cheese and Pecorino Cheese are distinct cheeses. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Goat Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?

In most recipes you can swap Goat Cheese for Pecorino Cheese, though the result will shift in richness and milk character.

Q: Does Goat Cheese taste like Pecorino Cheese?

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

Q: Which should I choose, Goat Cheese or Pecorino 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.

Goat Cheese is a soft, semihard or hard goat-milk cheese, while Pecorino Cheese is hard and made from sheep milk, originating in Italy.

What Is Goat Cheese?

Goat cheese, also called chèvre, is cheese made from goat's milk. It is produced around the world in styles ranging from fresh and soft to aged and hard, and is known for the tart, goaty flavor that comes from the milk's medium-chain fatty acids.

What Is Pecorino Cheese?

Pecorino is an Italian hard cheese made from sheep's milk, and its name comes from pecora, the Italian word for sheep. Six main varieties carry PDO status, with Pecorino Romano the best known outside Italy.

What's the Difference Between Goat Cheese and Pecorino Cheese?

Milk type: Goat Cheese (goat), Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk)
Texture: Goat Cheese (soft, semihard or hard), Pecorino Cheese (hard)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Goat Cheese	Pecorino Cheese
Country of Origin	—	Italy
Specific Origin	Worldwide	Italy
Milk Type	Goat	Sheep's milk
Texture	Soft, semihard or hard	Hard
Aging	—	Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato
Taste	Tart, goaty	—

Taste Comparison: Does Goat Cheese Taste Like Pecorino Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Goat Cheese shows tart goat character from caproic and caprylic fatty acids, while Pecorino Cheese leans toward buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk.

Can You Substitute Goat Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?

Goat Cheese can stand in for Pecorino Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect soft, semihard or hard bite and body where the recipe calls for hard.

Which Is Better, Goat Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a soft, semihard or hard cheese, go with Goat Cheese. For a hard profile, Pecorino Cheese is the better fit.

Which is your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Goat Cheese the same as Pecorino Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Goat Cheese is made from goat milk; Pecorino Cheese uses sheep.

Is Goat Cheese similar to Pecorino Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Goat Cheese for Pecorino Cheese?

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

Does Goat Cheese taste like Pecorino Cheese?

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

What is Goat Cheese made of?

Goat Cheese is made from goat milk.

What is Pecorino Cheese made of?

Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk. It's typically aged fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Goat Cheese or Pecorino Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Goat Cheese is soft, semihard or hard, while Pecorino Cheese is hard.