How to Make Homemade Queso Fresco - A Step-by-Step Guide

Queso fresco, meaning "fresh cheese" in Spanish, is a popular and versatile cheese used in many Mexican and Latin American dishes. It's a mild, crumbly cheese with a slightly tangy flavor that adds a delicious touch to dishes like tacos, enchiladas, salads, and more. While you can easily find queso fresco in most grocery stores, there's something special about making it from scratch at home. Not only does it taste fresher and more flavorful, but it's also a rewarding and fun process to engage...

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Ingredients

  • 1/4 rennet tablet
  • ¼ cup unchlorinated water
  • ½ gallon pasteurized whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Additional Time: 4 hrs 40 mins
  • Total Time: 5 hrs 20 mins
  • Servings: 10
  • Yield: 1 pound

  • Dissolve rennet in the water.
  • Pour milk into a heavy pot. Heat slowly to 90 degrees F (32 degrees C), stirring occasionally. Turn off heat and gently stir in the rennet solution.
  • Cover pot and let rest in a warm place, at about 90 degrees F (32 degrees C), until the curd forms a thick mass, about 40 minutes. Place your finger or spatula in the curd and gently lift to check for a clean break; it should split along a clean line and not be too soft or milky. Let rest for another 10 minutes if it isn't quite firm.
  • Cut curds into 1/4-inch cubes using your finger, a knife, or a spatula. Heat curds and the remaining liquid, or whey, to 110 to 115 degrees F (43 to 46 degrees C), about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Ladle curds into a colander; discard whey or keep for another use. Gently mix salt into the curds using your fingers.
  • Line a colander or plastic container with a cheesecloth; add curds and wrap cheesecloth around the top. Place a heavy weight on top, such as a small bowl filled with pie weights or a jar of water. Press for 4 to 6 hours.
  • Nutrition

    117 cal.

    • Total Fat: 6g
    • Saturated Fat: 4g
    • Cholesterol: 20mg
    • Sodium: 1230mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 9g
    • Total Sugars: 9g
    • Protein: 6g
    • Calcium: 221mg
    • Iron: 0mg
    • Potassium: 279mg