Pecorino Cheese vs Romano Cheese

Q: Is Pecorino Cheese the same as Romano Cheese?

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

Q: Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for Romano Cheese?

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

Q: Does Pecorino Cheese taste like Romano Cheese?

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

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

Pecorino Cheese

Romano Cheese

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

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 Is Romano Cheese?

Romano is the North American name for a class of hard, salty cheese made mainly for grating, from cow, goat and/or sheep's milk. It imitates Italian pecorino romano and must hold at least 38% milkfat and under 34% water.

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

Milk type: Pecorino Cheese (sheep's milk), Romano Cheese (cow's, goat's or sheep's milk)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Pecorino Cheese	Romano Cheese
Country of Origin	Italy	Italy
Specific Origin	Italy	The U.S. And Canada
Milk Type	Sheep's milk	Cow's, goat's or sheep's milk
Milk Treatment	—	Pasteurized or unpasteurized
Texture	Hard	Hard
Rind	—	Natural
Aging	Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato	—
Taste	—	Mild, sharp, tangy

Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Cheese Taste Like Romano Cheese?

Their flavor profiles are distinct. More specifically, Pecorino Cheese shows buttery, nutty, mild cream and milk, while Romano Cheese leans toward salty.

Can You Substitute Pecorino Cheese for Romano Cheese?

Pecorino Cheese can stand in for Romano Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.

Which Is Better, Pecorino Cheese or Romano Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.

Which is your favorite?

One click, anonymous. See what others chose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pecorino Cheese the same as Romano Cheese?

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

Is Pecorino Cheese similar to Romano Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for Romano Cheese?

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

Does Pecorino Cheese taste like Romano 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's typically aged fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato. It originates in Italy.

What is Romano Cheese made of?

Romano Cheese is made from cow, goat, or sheep milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized), using rennet not required; any suitable milk-clotting enzym rennet. It originates in Italy.

Which should I choose, Pecorino Cheese or Romano Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.