Pecorino Cheese vs Provolone Cheese
Pecorino Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Pecorino Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan and made from cow milk, originating in Italy.
What Is Pecorino Cheese?
Pecorino is a term for Italian cheeses made from sheep's milk. The most well-known varieties include Pecorino Romano, Pecorino Toscano, and Pecorino Sardo, each named after their region of origin. These cheeses vary in texture from soft and buttery to hard and granular, and they range in flavor from mild to sharp and salty, often aged to develop deeper flavors.
What Is Provolone Cheese?
Provolone is a well-known Italian cheese with a smooth, firm texture and a mild, slightly tangy flavor that becomes sharper and more robust with age. Made from cow's milk, this stretched-curd cheese can be aged from a few months to a year or more. Provolone is excellent for slicing, grating, or melting.
What's the Difference Between Pecorino Cheese and Provolone Cheese?
- Milk type: Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk), Provolone Cheese (cow's milk)
- Texture: Pecorino Cheese (hard), Provolone Cheese (semi-hard, artisan)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Pecorino Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Italy | Italy |
| Milk Type | Sheep's milk | Cow's milk |
| Texture | Hard | Semi-hard, artisan |
| Taste | — | Tangy |
Pairing Comparison
What works with each cheese — wines, foods, breads, and more.
| Pecorino Cheese | Provolone Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pairings | — | Pastrami, Salami |
| Other Good Pairings | — | Chorizo, Grilled Cheese, Ham, Pinot Grigio, Pulled Pork, Roast Beef, Steak, Tomatoes, Tuna, Turkey |
Which would you pick?
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Where to buy Pecorino Cheese and Provolone Cheese
Pecorino Cheese
Provolone Cheese
Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Cheese Taste Like Provolone Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct.
Can You Substitute Pecorino Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
Pecorino Cheese can stand in for Provolone Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe. Expect hard bite and body where the recipe calls for semi-hard, artisan.
Which Is Better, Pecorino Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a hard cheese, go with Pecorino Cheese. For a semi-hard, artisan profile, Provolone Cheese is the better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pecorino Cheese the same as Provolone Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk; Provolone Cheese uses cow.
Is Pecorino Cheese similar to Provolone Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for Provolone Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Pecorino Cheese taste like Provolone Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Pecorino Cheese made of?
Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk. It originates in Italy.
What is Provolone Cheese made of?
Provolone Cheese is made from cow milk. It originates in Italy.
Which should I choose, Pecorino Cheese or Provolone Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Pecorino Cheese is hard, while Provolone Cheese is semi-hard, artisan.
See full profiles: Pecorino Cheese and Provolone Cheese.