Substitute For Halloumi Cheese
There are a few cheeses that are similar to halloumi cheese. Because of the variety, you’ll have plenty of options for halloumi cheese substitutions!
While there are plenty of replacement options, halloumi cheese still has a tangy and salty taste that might not be perfectly matched by all cheeses on this list. Originating in Cyprus, halloumi comes from goat or sheep’s milk, sometimes from cows. This means that the texture as well as the taste might not always be an exact match for other cheeses derived from cows milk.
So let’s get to it, these are some substitutes for halloumi cheese!
Mozzarella
Mozzarella can have a somewhat bland taste with a hint of being sour. The older the cheese gets, the more sour it can become. While the tastes will be slightly different to halloumi, mozzarella does offer a similar texture to your meal and when fresh, can be a great substitute for halloumi cheese.
When used as a topping to melt, they also offer similar consistencies when heated.
Feta Cheese
Feta cheese is more closely related to halloumi cheese in taste, containing a salty and tangy taste. If you’re looking for a closer taste, then feta cheese might be a good replacement idea for halloumi. Anyone who’s had feta cheese knows the textures won’t be the same as feta is more crumbly. That being said, if your recipe requires a melted cheese, then feta will work fine as a substitution.
Provolone
While a slightly harder cheese with a more bitter taste, in a crunch provolone can make do as an alternative for halloumi. Provolone is most commonly used on sandwiches or bread, so if your halloumi recipe was for a burger or sandwich, then provolone will make as a familiar substitute.
Indian Cottage Cheese (Paneer)
While paneer is commonly used in Indian dishes, it has many other recipes that it can work with from around the world. There are also plenty of similarities between paneer and halloumi, making it a nice substitute for halloumi. Despite the similarities between these white cheeses, there are some differences such as paneer being more firm in texture and having a milky taste.
Queso Panela
Ironically, queso panela makes for a very good substitute for paneer, so it works very well as a substitute for that as well as a replacement for halloumi. Queso panela is a Mexican cheese that is commonly used as an appetizer but can be added to any meal for a cheesy addition.
How Is Halloumi Cheese Made?
Halloumi cheese is made from heating milk and adding rennet (curdled milk) and allowing curds to grow. Those curds from the mixture are cut and the rest is drained, leaving only curds. The next step is to poach the cheese in water or whey before finally being salted. After 3 to 5 days, the seasoned cheese is ready to be eaten! The cheese can also be stored in brine for later consumption if it’s not eaten fresh.
The process isn’t fairly complicated and doesn’t use bacteria like many other cheeses.
What Does Halloumi Cheese Taste Like
Raw halloumi cheese has a salty and bitter taste that is surprisingly tasty. Once halloumi is cooked it drops this drops some of it’s salty taste to be a bit more on the savory and creamy side.
Is Halloumi Cheese Healthy
Before we get on the topic of the health benefits of halloumi, it should be noted that this is a dairy product derived from cows milk. So if you are sensitive to lactose or vegan, halloumi cheese should be avoided!
There are some positive sides to halloumi cheese though and one of them is the protein content. In a 80g serving of halloumi, there is roughly 19.1g of protein which is essential for good muscle health. This high protein cheese also makes it a viable candidate for a meat replacement!
Another health benefit of halloumi is the calcium present in the cheese. Calcium is a mineral used in muscle and nerve function and like most dairy products halloumi is full of it!
