Farmer's Cheese Recipe (2024)

Published: Oct 21, 2021 by Dina

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Farmer’s Cheese is that creamy treat that you never knew you needed. Follow my simple recipe for this easy homemade cheese that can be made either savory or sweet.

The mild flavor of this cheese pairs well with this Spinach Pomegranate Salad instead of feta, or in this Cheese Chebureki recipe.

Table Of Contents

Farmer’s Cheese Recipe Details
What You’ll Need
How to Make Farmer’s Cheese
Recipe Tips
Add-ins and Substitutions
FAQs
Serving Suggestions
Make This Farmer’s Cheese in Advance
More Tasty Recipes from Scratch!
Full Recipe Instructions

Farmer’s Cheese Recipe Details

I love this Farmer’s Cheese because it’s quick and easy, with a delicious flavor and texture that make it a good match for lots of dishes.

TASTE: This Farmer’s Cheese has a very neutral flavor so it can be made sweet or savory, depending on what you add to it.
TEXTURE: This cheese is pressed into a block, but has a creamy, crumbly texture similar to feta and ricotta.
TIME: This is a quick version of Farmer’s Cheese and only takes 25 minutes to make.
EASE: This simple recipe uses just 2 ingredients. It’s nice and easy when you want some Farmer’s Cheese quickly.

What You’ll Need

Whole milk
White vinegar
Cheesecloth

How to Make Farmer’s Cheese

Boil the milk. Fill a large pot with the milk and bring the heat to high, letting it come to a slight boil.
Add the vinegar. Remove it from the heat and add the vinegar. Let the cheese form for about 15 minutes.
Strain. Strain the farmer’s cheese into a colander lined with a fine mesh sieve and cheesecloth. Squeeze out as much of the liquid as possible.
Let it cool. You can leave it to cool as a block compressed in the cheesecloth or crumbled in a bowl.

Pro Tip:Squeeze the cheesecloth as hard as possible. Twisting the ends of the cloth adds pressure to get more out.

Recipe Tips

Use whole milk- To get the creamy consistency and rich flavor, whole milk is the way to go. 2% could also work, but will be thinner. Avoid really thin low-fat milk or Half & Half.
Squeeze out the liquid as much as possible- This will help the cheese crumble. Too much liquid will result in a wetter, creamier cheese. So squeeze that cheesecloth as much as you can!
Use white vinegar- This will help the curds and whey separate without adding flavor like apple cider vinegar would. Lemon juice also works for a citrusy tang.
Let it cool- This cheese is very malleable, especially when warm, so let it cool before serving. You can either leave it in a block or in crumbles.

Add-ins and Substitutions

Add fresh dill– This Farmer’s Cheese can be made with fresh dill and kosher salt for a savory herbaceous spread.
Make it with citrus- You can make this cheese extra tangy with lemon juice. Or add lime or orange to it afterward for a citrusy cheese.
Add seasoning– Add oregano, rosemary, cumin, paprika, or basil to this recipe for a savory flavor boost.
Try a sweet version- Add maple syrup, chopped walnuts, and cinnamon to make this a sweet treat. Or try it with brown sugar, cinnamon, and powdered sugar.

FAQs

What is the difference between ricotta and Farmer’s Cheese?

Farmer’s Cheese and ricotta are very similar, but the ricotta is even milder. It’s often used in desserts, while the Farmer’s cheese is used with stronger flavors, like olives, lemons, and capers. Texturally, they are are both creamy and crumbly.

Why is it called Farmer’s Cheese?

This cheese was originally made in the farmhouse, just a simple recipe made at home. It ranges from soft to semi-soft in texture depending on where in the world it is made.

Serving Suggestions

This homemade Farmer’s Cheese is a perfect addition to many recipes with its neutral flavor profile. Here are some delicious ways to serve it.

Sandwiches: Spread this cheese on your favorite sandwiches, such as this Classic BLT Sandwich, Leftover Turkey Sandwich, and Grilled Caprese Sandwich.
Salad: Add it as crumbles on salads like Spinach Salad, Greek Chicken Pasta Salad, and BLT Pasta Salad. Or add it to a Charcuterie Board (Cheese Board).
Pastas: Use this Farmer’s cheese as the filling in Mushroom Ravioli, Easy Four Cheese Ravioli (15-Minute Meal), or Chicken Lasagna.
Crackers/Bread: Serve this topped with fresh herbs or honey, and with crackers, bread, or pitas. Try it with this Rustic Bread or Focaccia Bread.

Make This Farmer’s Cheese in Advance

Make ahead: You can make this cheese ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you are ready to serve. Just keep it in an airtight container or wrapped with plastic wrap.

Storing: You can store this Farmer’s Cheese in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 7 days.

Freeze: Wrap the cheese in plastic wrap and store it in a ziplock freezer bag for up to 3 months. When it defrosts, it will be more crumbly, but still delicious.

More Tasty Recipes from Scratch!

Danish Dough Recipe
Brioche Bread
Homemade Pizza Dough
Coffee Macaron Recipe
Cottage Cheese Pancakes

Full Recipe Instructions