15 Easy Raw Cheese Recipes (2024)

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15 Easy Raw Cheese Recipes (2)

Fellow cheese lovers… you’ll love this. We looked all over the web to find raw and easy cheese recipes to include in this collection.

I have to admit, it was actually hard to find that many of them. And as you’ll see, quite a few of them are from this blog. However, it ended up being a nice, round collection of 15 recipes.

So: If you make cheese already and appreciate quality recipes… Or, if you want to learn how to make cheese and need a vetted set of recipes to start you off…

…then this post is for you. We did all the hard work of reviewing recipes (and making a bunch of them, too) so you can just dive in and get started. Yummy cheese awaits. 🙂

Want more recipes or help with cheesemaking? Be sure to check out membership in Traditional Cooking School (for more recipes and hands-on video tutorials) or our stand-alone Cultured Dairy and Cheese eBook and Video package.

Raw Cheese: Easy Cheese Ball

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You’ll love this easy and delicious cheese ball from yogurt or kefir. It requires very little working time or effort. Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.

Raw Cheese: Chevre

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Chevre, a soft spreadable cheese from raw goat milk, is one of the easiest cheeses to make. You can also use raw cow milk to make this cheese. The process is the same, you just can’t call it chevre anymore. 😉 Via ediblearia.com.

Raw Cheese: 30 Minute Farmer’s Cheese

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If you add an acid to warmed (near the cow’s body temperature) raw milk, it results in a quick and tender farmers’-style cheese, like this one, that truly demonstrates how much easier it is to make cheese with fresh milk! Via countryliving.com.

Note: The leftover whey from this farmer’s cheese is not suitable for fermenting because of the additional acid. You could still use it for soaking grains.

Raw Cheese: Easy Cottage Cheese and Sour Cream

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Raw milk cottage cheese and raw milk sour cream are easy to make. So easy they could become a staple in your kitchen. The cottage cheese in this recipe is more of a clabber cheese than what you might purchase in the store but is still delicious. Give it a try! Via realfoodrn.com.

Raw Cheese: Kefir or Yogurt Cheese Balls

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You’ll love this traditional Middle Eastern method of preserving yogurt cheese that requires no refrigeration. The cheese is salted and soured, both of which are means of preservation — but then when fashioned into balls, the balls are submerged into extra virgin olive oil, a protective brine of sorts. Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.

Raw Cheese: Cream Cheese

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Check out these four different methods for making cream cheese out of raw milk. Simple and easy! Via wholelifestylenutrition.com.

Raw Cheese: Flavored Cream Cheese

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Learn to make your own homemade flavored cream cheese, and you’ll never buy another tub again. Sure, the grocery store flavors taste good — but these taste fabulous (and are more healthy). Plus, there’s no limit to what flavors you can try! Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.

Raw Cheese: Fromage Blanc

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Fromage blanc (white cheese in French) is a soft, spreadable cheese with a mild flavor. It is perfect as a spread on bread or crackers or as a dip for fruit or vegetables. Fromage blanc is very easy to make and is a great option for beginning cheesemakers. Via culturesforhealth.com.

Raw Cheese: Cottage Cheese

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Gentle heating and a long, slow ripening time give this wonderful cottage cheese it’s flavor and texture. You can make this with goat or cow milk. Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.

Raw Cheese: Feta

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If you’re looking for an easy raw cheese to make, feta is the one. Yes, it takes a little time to make feta — but when you’re done you will have tangy and delicious goodness. Via homesteadlady.com.

Raw Cheese: Monterey Jack

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Monterey Jack is a popular semi-hard cheese that was first developed in the American west. It’s mild and flavorful and melts easily. It’s traditionally made with cow milk, but goat milk will work equally well. Via culturesforhealth.com.

Raw Cheese: Cheddar

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Make your own cheddar cheese! You can press then and let it age or press it and eat it fresh. You can even eat it as curds without pressing. Delicious. Via TraditionalCookingSchool.com.

Raw Cheese: Press-less Cheddar

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Love cheddar but don’t have a press? Make this press-less cheddar. Via thecheerfulagrarian.blogspot.com.

Raw Cheese: Ranchero

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Start with one gallon of raw milk to make this fairly quick and easy rustic cheese. Via mexicoinmykitchen.com.

Raw Cheese: Pepper Jack

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Pepper Jack cheese is a delightful kick in the mouth. The cheese is spicy from the addition of fiery jalapeños and habeñeros, with that classic sharp cheesy taste to round it out. I had to include this cheese for an even 15 recipes, thought it’s probably a little less than easy — it’s best made using a water-bath setup or a double boiler. Via culturesforhealth.com.

Do you have a favorite easy raw cheese? Please share in the comments!

Want more recipes or help with cheesemaking? Be sure to check out membership in Traditional Cooking School (for more recipes and hands-on video tutorials) or our stand-alone Cultured Dairy and Cheese eBook and Video package.

...without giving up the foods you love or spending all day in the kitchen!

15 Easy Raw Cheese Recipes (18)

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15 Easy Raw Cheese Recipes (19)

About Wardee Harmon

Wardee lives in the Boise area of Idaho with her dear family. She's the lead teacher and founder of the Eat God's Way online cooking program as well as the author of Fermenting, Sourdough A to Z, and other traditional cooking books. Eat God's Way helps families get healthier and happier using cooking methods and ingredients from Bible Times like sourdough, culturing, and ancient grains.

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Comments

  1. 15 Easy Raw Cheese Recipes (20)april says

    Great article! Just wanted to say it is not that hard to find raw cheese recipes, any cheese recipe can be made with raw milk, they just might need small tweaks made to the amount of culture/acid added, temps and time.

  2. 15 Easy Raw Cheese Recipes (21)Brittney says

    This is helpful! I always only make raw mozzarella cheese because that’s the only recipe we have.

    1 gal whole milk
    1 1/4 tsp citric acid
    1/8 tsp rennet or 1/4 tablet dissolved in a tablespoon of cold water
    (I actually double the rennet myself)
    1/4 gal water heated to 170 degrees F with 1/2 c salt.

    Mix citric acid into cold milk for 2 mins
    Heat milk to 88 degrees F.
    Remove from heat and add rennet
    Stir. Wait at least 30 mins until whet separates from curds.
    Heat slowly to 108 degrees. Stir occasionally while heating.
    Remove from Heat and let stand for 20 mins.
    Drain in a colander for 15 mins. (I use a cheese cloth and just wrap the ball in it and squeeze out the whey. But don’t overdo it).
    Cut drained curds into strips and lay cross cross in a large bowl. Pour hot saltwater over curd strips and stretch with 2 forks, pulling up and down until soft.
    Remove from water and knead until smooth. Shape into a ball and place in a mold (or just a bowl) in the fridge. The cheese will take in the shape of the container.

  3. 15 Easy Raw Cheese Recipes (22)Julie says

    Hi Wardee,
    When making cheese, can I add salt to the milk before I add culture or rennet, or will that cause problems? I noticed that the raw farmers cheese calls for salt first. For that one, can I use vinegar instead of lemon juice? Organic lemons are expensive! Thank you for posting all of these raw cheese recipes. I do not cook my milk any more!

  4. 15 Easy Raw Cheese Recipes (24)Helen says

    I am in day 2 if activating my milk kefir grains, changing every 12ish hours. I am already overwhelmed at the amount of milk needed for activation (and cultures for health specifically says to use only pateurized milk which I did buy but now my raw milk waits). Any suggestions beyond making yogurt in my instant pot with raw milk?
    It is only myself and my husband so it’s a bit crazy the volume every 12 hours!

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15 Easy Raw Cheese Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Why is raw cheese illegal in the US? ›

Unpasteurized milk, cheese and other dairy products may contain harmful pathogens and are not safe to eat, drink, or use in making foods. It is a violation of federal law enforced by the Food and Drug Administration to sell raw milk packaged for consumer use across state lines (interstate commerce).

What are some raw cheeses? ›

Famous Raw Milk Cheeses

In addition to those mentioned above — gruyère, Parmigiano-Reggiano, English cheddar, and camembert — several other world-famous cheeses are made with raw milk by definition: roquefort, morbier, raclette, fontina and asiago, as well as many pecorinos and manchegos.

What is the 60 day rule for cheese? ›

The FDA currently rules that any cheese produced in the U.S. either has to be made from pasteurized milk, or be held for 60 days, with the idea that harmful bacteria will die out in that time.

What cheese is banned in the US? ›

Cheese lovers no doubt know that France produces some of the world's best and most varied cheeses. But one distinctive variety that's among the country's most popular is actually barred by law from the United States. It's called Epoisses, and it traces its roots as far back as the early 16th century.

What is the most loved cheese in the world? ›

MOZZARELLA – THE WORLD's MOST POPULAR CHEESE.

Which cheese is the cleanest? ›

Some of the healthiest cheeses are feta and goat cheese, which are better for lactose intolerance. Cottage cheese and ricotta have more than 11 grams of muscle-building protein in a single serving. Swiss cheese is naturally lower in sodium, so it is a good option for people with hypertension.

What is the hardest cheese to make? ›

While there is no one type of difficult cheese to make, the hardest cheeses to make are romano, gorgonzola, burrata, parmesan, provolone, etc. The reason being is because they require a longer aging period to ensure they reach their desired texture and require a specific type of culture.

What is the unhealthiest cheese? ›

The least healthiest cheese overall is Double Gloucester, which contains the highest amount of calories (415 per 100 grams) and a whopping 21.9g of saturated fat – which is more than the NHS's recommended daily saturated fat limit for women.

Who should not eat raw cheese? ›

Children, adults aged 65 or older, pregnant people and immunocompromised people, all of whom may especially have difficulty fending off pathogens from cheese, should always opt for the pasteurized goods.

Does Aldi have raw cheese? ›

Good news for our customers in the US: Our award winning cheese specialities Lustenberger 1862, Gruyère AOP and Emmentaler now are available in the USA! Aldi USA now sells these wonderful raw milk cheeses in selected Aldi Stores! So don't hesitate and enjoy your piece of cheese.

What is the healthiest raw cheese? ›

Fresh cheese.

A serving of cottage cheese or ricotta will pack a healthy dose of protein, and they're typically lower in calories; half a cup of cottage cheese is roughly 110 calories. Ricotta is higher in calories — about 180 calories for half a cup — but is loaded with calcium.

What are the 5 unripened cheeses? ›

list of cheeses
  • unripened. cottage cheese. cream cheese. feta. mascarpone. mozzarella.
  • ripened with rennet only. halloumi.
  • ripened with bacteria, enzymes, and surface microorganisms. Brie. Camembert. Pont-l'Évêque.

Can you buy raw cheese in the US? ›

Unpasteurized cheese is made and sold in the US. In 1987, the FDA banned interstate sales of raw milk, but unpasteurized dairy products can be sold within certain states. Raw milk and cheese must be marketed and labeled as such, as well as aged at least 60 days.

Why is raw cheese legal but not milk? ›

Wrong! Unpasteurized cheese is made and sold in the US. In 1987, the FDA banned interstate sales of raw milk, but unpasteurized dairy products can be sold within certain states. Raw milk and cheese must be marketed and labeled as such, as well as aged at least 60 days.

Why not to eat raw cheese? ›

Fans of “raw-milk” cheese often argue that the dairy delicacies possess exceptional, complex flavor profiles that just can't be replicated in the pasteurized stuff. But the tasty snack can come with a health risk and is the suspected cause of Escherichia coli infections that recently sickened several people.

Is raw dairy illegal in the US? ›

Is it legal to buy or sell raw milk? In some states it is legal to buy or sell raw milk. Because of the chance for serious illness, federal law prohibits dairies from distributing raw milk across state lines in final package form (packaged so that it can be consumed).

Why can you buy raw cheese but not raw milk? ›

For some cheeses, even though cheesemaking begins with the use of raw milk, these are cooked- curd cheeses that are anything but raw. Cheeses made from milk subjected to a sub-pasteurization heat treatment (thermization) are legally classified as raw milk cheeses.

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