What Is Queso fresco and How Can I Use It?

Here's everything worth knowing about queso fresco and how to pick it, what it is, how to store it, and what to use instead, plus 8 recipes to cook tonight.

Recipes using queso fresco

There are 8 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Sauteed Mushrooms, Onion, & Chipotle Chile with Corn Tortillas

Smoky chipotle mushroom tacos: sauteed mushrooms and onion cooked down with chipotle in adobo and garlic, piled into warm corn tortillas with queso fresco and salsa. A quick, vegetarian taco night winner.

Well-Fried Beans

Homemade refried beans mashed to a creamy, lard-kissed puree with queso fresco crumbles and crispy tortilla chips. A 35-minute Mexican side dish that puts the canned stuff to shame.

Grilled Shrimp Pizza

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Chicken Tostadas With Spicy Cabbage Slaw

Speedy fried beans, pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and bagged coleslaw make this a speedy weeknight main dish a welcome change.

Chilaquiles En Salsa Verde

Chilaquiles verdes with fried corn tortilla strips simmered in tangy salsa verde, topped with shredded chicken, sour cream, queso fresco, and raw onion. Classic Mexican breakfast.

Classic Mexican Fried Beans with Onions & Garlic

Authentic Mexican refried beans cooked with caramelized onions and garlic, mashed to a creamy puree and topped with crumbled queso fresco. A 30-minute side dish that belongs next to every taco night.

Crocodile Cafe's Chicken Tortilla Soup

Inspired by the chicken tortilla soup I had at Crocodile Café this tortilla soup comes together quickly and delivers loads of fresh Mexican recipe flavor.

Enchiladas Verdes (Green Chicken Enchiladas)

Authentic enchiladas verdes with poached shredded chicken, fresh tomatillo-serrano salsa verde, Monterey Jack, and sour cream. A from-scratch Mexican classic.

All 8 recipes