Queso Fresco Recipe recipe photo
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Queso Fresco Recipe

Learn how to make this homemade queso fresco recipe at home! Just 3 simple ingredients create this fresh, flavorful Mexican cheese.

Prep 5m
Cook 210m
Total 215m
Yield 10 servings

🥄 Ingredients

  • 1 gallon whole milk
  • ⅔ cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. Add the milk to a large pot or Dutch oven and heat over medium-low until the milk reaches 170℉, stirring frequently and reading the temperature with an instant-read thermometer. This should take about 1 hour.

  2. Take off the heat and pour in the vinegar. Gently stir until the milk starts to curdle.

  3. Leave the pot uncovered for 30 minutes and allow the curds to form and fully separate.

  4. Layer a colander or strainer with a cheesecloth and set it over a large bowl. Transfer the curds to the prepared colander with a slotted spoon or spider strainer.

  5. Cover the exposed curds with plastic wrap to keep in the moisture and allow it to drain for 20 minutes.

  6. Gently stir in the salt until combined.

  7. Press the cheese by gathering the curds into a ball in the middle of the cloth and pressing them into a hockey puck shape. Tie the cloth closed around the cheese. Place the bound cheese back in the colander or strainer and place a heavy can or pan on top. Let sit for about 1 ½ hours.

  8. Uncover the cheese and transfer it to an airtight container for storage in the refrigerator or use immediately.

📊 Nutrition (per serving)

230 kcal Calories
18 g Carbs
12 g Protein
12 g Fat

Nutritional values are estimates from the original source.