Be it tacos, soups, tostadas, or enchiladas- the wonderfully crumbly and salty cotija cheese is a fan favorite.
Cotija cheese is usually confused with another one of popular Mexican cheeses, the queso fresco cheese, because of its similar appearance. This makes it rather difficult for an average customer to find cotija cheese in grocery stores.
Which Aisle to Look for Cotija Cheese in the Grocery Store?
You can find cotija cheese in the cheese aisle or section of the grocery store. However, if your local grocery store doesn’t have a specified section for cheeses, then your next best option is to look for cotija cheese in the dairy and egg section.
The reason many grocery stores (usually smaller ones that do not have dedicated cheese aisles) place cotija cheese (and other varieties of cheeses) in the dairy aisle is that it is a milk by-product.
Made from cow’s milk, this delicious Mexican cheese is available in fresh and aged (añejo) varieties. Both kinds of cotija cheese are salty, but the fresh variety is softer when compared to the aged one, which is somewhat similar to parmesan cheese in texture.
Where to Find Cotija Cheese in Other Stores and Supermarkets?
Unlike cheddar or mozzarella, there is a chance that many local grocery stores may not have the zesty Mexican cotija cheese in stock. What to do then?
Worry not! We have made a list of popular supermarkets across the US, where you can easily find this cheese in fresh and aged form. You can also buy grated cotija cheese or go for the more traditional block.
At Walmart
You can easily find cotija cheese at the Walmart in your area. You should be easily able to find grated and block varieties in the dairy and eggs section. If you do not find tor there, you can locate it in the meat and cheese section.
Walmart also allows you to check the availability of the cheese online before a trip to the supermarket. Besides that, you can also buy cotija cheese online through the Walmart website, thus saving you the trouble of physically making a trip to the supermarket.
At Target
If you shop at Target, you can buy cotija cheese from the dairy section. Make sure not to confuse it with queso fresco. There are several cotija cheese brands available at Target, so you have the freedom to buy your favorite.
While shopping at Target, another excellent- and convenient- option is to use the online inventory checker. This allows you to use the DCPI or UPC number to locate cotija cheese at any Target location.
DCPI and UPC numbers help Target manage its inventory. Thus, you can search if varying brands of this Mexican cheese are instore at different Target locations by putting in these numbers.
Moreover, you can also use the delivery service to have cotija cheese delivered to your house.
At Kroger
If Kroger is your supermarket of choice, then all you need to do is locate the dairy and eggs section to find cotija cheese. You can also find it in grated form.
If you wish to order the cheese online at Kroger, you have two options – you can either have it picked up or delivered to your doorstep. Online, you can also find different brands in the specialty cheeses section.
At Whole Foods Market
You can also find numerous cotija cheese brands at Whole Foods Market in the dairy and eggs section, in-store and online. You can find it in grated and wheel form.
An excellent feature on the Whole Foods market website is the “Find a Store” option, where you can see the price of different cotija cheese brands according to your city and location.
This makes it easy for you to either order the product online or go to the nearest store in your area.
At Amazon
Another convenient option to buy cotija cheese in just a few clocks is to shop on Amazon. Amazon carries numerous brands of cotija cheeses, including gluten-free varieties.
Finding Cotija Cheese at Mexican Grocery Stores
Since this cheese is a staple in many Mexican dishes, it makes sense to buy cotija cheese from a Mexican grocery store for authenticity.
Of course, it also doesn’t hurt shopping from such grocery stores as it gives you the ease of buying other authentic ingredients you need. Look for it in the cheeses section or the dairy and eggs section.
If you do not know of any Mexican stores in your area, you can search on Yelp and find one closest to your location.
How to Store Cotija Cheese?
We have discussed popular supermarkets where you can find cotija cheese, including the ones that provide an online service. However, it is just as important to know how to properly store the cheese once you have bought it.
You can store the fresh variety of this cheese in the refrigerator for up to a month, given that it is wrapped properly in wax or parchment paper. When placing in the fridge, make sure to seal the cheese using an air-tight container or a plastic bag.
For aged-cotija, you can do the same and use it for up to three months.
Cotija Cheese Alternatives
In case you have hard luck finding cotija cheese, you can replace it with the following alternatives:
- Queso Fresco: Another cow’s milk cheese, queso fresco looks a lot like cotija cheese but is much milder in taste.
- Feta Cheese: Like cotija cheese, feta is another crumbly cheese that works great as a topping. It has a similar funk to cotija and is readily available.
- Goat Cheese Crumbles: You can also add firmer goat cheese crumbles in place of cotija cheese.
Conclusion
Cotija cheese has gained popularity- thanks to its salty, crumbly texture. You can easily find it in the cheeses or eggs and dairy sections of grocery stores across America. It is also available in gluten-free varieties.
If you do not have cotija cheese in your local supermarket and you also do not have any famous grocery store chains near your house, ordering the cheese online is an excellent alternative.
If that doesn’t work, you can also search on Yelp to find the closest Mexican grocery store and get this cheese from there.