Pecorino Cheese vs Sardo Cheese

Q: Is Pecorino Cheese the same as Sardo Cheese?

No. Pecorino Cheese and Sardo Cheese are distinct cheeses from Italy and Argentina respectively. See the side-by-side table for the specific differences in milk type, texture, and aging.

Q: Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for Sardo Cheese?

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

Q: Does Pecorino Cheese taste like Sardo Cheese?

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

Q: Which should I choose, Pecorino Cheese or Sardo 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

Sardo Cheese

Pecorino Cheese is a hard sheep-milk cheese from Italy, while Sardo Cheese is hard and made from cow milk, originating in Argentina.

Buy Pecorino Cheese

Buy on Amazon Buy at Murray's

Buy Sardo Cheese

Buy on Amazon Buy at Murray's

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 Sardo Cheese?

Sardo is a hard grating cheese from Argentina, made with cow's milk. The taste is mellow, rich and lightly salty, close to pecorino romano but not as sharp, and it is sold in blocks of about 6.5 pounds (2.9 kg).

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

Origin: Pecorino Cheese (Italy), Sardo Cheese (Argentina)
Milk type: Pecorino Cheese (Sheep's milk), Sardo Cheese (Cow's milk)

Side-by-Side Comparison

	Pecorino Cheese	Sardo Cheese
Country of Origin	Italy	Argentina
Specific Origin	Italy	Argentina
Milk Type	Sheep's milk	Cow's milk
Milk Treatment	—	Pasteurized
Texture	Hard	Hard
Rind	—	Natural
Aging	Fresco, semi-stagionato or stagionato	—
Taste	—	Full-flavored, salty, sharp

Taste Comparison: Does Pecorino Cheese Taste Like Sardo Cheese?

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

Can You Substitute Pecorino Cheese for Sardo Cheese?

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

Which Is Better, Pecorino Cheese or Sardo 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 Sardo Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Pecorino Cheese originates in Italy, while Sardo Cheese comes from Argentina. Pecorino Cheese is made from sheep milk; Sardo Cheese uses cow.

Is Pecorino Cheese similar to Sardo Cheese?

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

Can I substitute Pecorino Cheese for Sardo Cheese?

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

Does Pecorino Cheese taste like Sardo 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 Sardo Cheese made of?

Sardo Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized), using animal rennet. It originates in Argentina.

Which should I choose, Pecorino Cheese or Sardo Cheese?

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