Are you here to discover the ideal Boursin Cheese substitute or two? We have 10 of the best substitutes when you’ve run out or can’t find the original Boursin Cheese!

Hello, fellow cheese lovers! Today, we’re diving into the creamy, delicious world of Boursin cheese. This French delight has won over many a palate, but what happens when you can’t find it on your local grocery store’s shelves? Or if you are mid-recipe and don’t have as much on hand as you thought?

Check out our top five Boursin Cheese substitutes (plus five more that will work in a pinch) below, plus a tried-and-true recipe to make your own homemade Boursin Cheese recipe!

Let’s take a look at a couple of quick, important details about Boursin Cheese first.

What is Boursin Cheese?

Boursin cheese is a creamy, soft, spreadable, highly seasoned, and mostly white cheese that hails from Normandy, France. It was first created in 1957 by Francois Boursin, a cheesemaker who wanted to create a unique product that stood out from the crowd. Boursin is a fresh cheese, meaning it’s not aged like cheddar or gouda.

While it comes in several different flavors, one of the most popular, and possibly the first kind on the market, is flavored with herbs, garlic, and other spices, which gives it a sharply distinctive and savory taste.

Be sure to check out our list of Boursin Cheese Appetizer recipes. You can substitute one of these alternatives as needed to suit your favorite recipe.

What does Boursin Cheese taste like?

Boursin cheese is known for its rich, creamy texture and its savory flavor profile. The original Boursin flavor is Garlic & Fine Herbs, and it’s a taste sensation. The cheese itself is mild, with a slightly tangy and salty flavor, but the addition of garlic and herbs elevates it to a whole new level. It’s a bit like a more refined, slightly crumbly, saltier, and generally more flavorful cream cheese.

There are other flavors made by Boursin, though, like:

Cracked Black Pepper
Fig & Balsamic
Shallot & Chive
Red Chili Pepper
Cranberry & Spice

So keep in mind what kind of substitute for Boursin you will need in your recipe.

How is Boursin Cheese often used?

Its creamy texture makes it an excellent spread and dip for crackers, bread, or crudites. It’s also popular for stuffing chicken breasts or mushrooms, as it melts beautifully and quickly, creating a warm, soft, creamy, flavorful filling. You can also crumble it over salads or pasta for a touch of creamy goodness.

It crumbles easily while it is still cold from the fridge, and at room temperature spreads on crackers and breads smoothly.

Substitutes for Boursin Cheese

If you can’t find the original Boursin cheese spread, or if you’re looking for a lower-cost alternative, several substitutes can fill in quite nicely. All of these substitutes can replace Boursin in a cup-for-cup ratio in your recipes.

These are our favorite 5 substitutes for Boursin Cheese that most closely match the original:

Cream Cheese with Herbs and Garlic: Cream cheese is a great base for all of the different flavors of Boursin. This is perhaps the easiest, budget-friendly, and readily available substitute. Simply take plain cream cheese and mix in some garlic and your choice of herbs with salt and pepper (See below for our recipe for homemade Boursin that uses cream cheese.) It won’t be exactly the same, but it’ll give you a similar flavor profile. The trick is to make sure you use enough herbs and spices to match Boursin and let everything meld in the fridge for a couple of hours at least.
Goat Cheese with Herbs and Garlic: Goat cheese has a tangier flavor than Boursin, but when mixed with garlic and herbs, it can be a delicious substitute. Plus, it has a similar crumbly-creamy texture. If you make your own version with our recipe, try adding a tablespoon of softened goat cheese to the recipe to enhance the tangy finish of Boursin.
Rondelé Cheese Spread: This is a brand of France-inspired cream cheese that’s often flavored with herbs and garlic. It’s very similar to Boursin and can be used in the same ways. It comes in snack packs, and a light version.
Alouette Cheese: Another French-style cream cheese, Alouette is soft and spreadable, and it comes in several flavors, and their Garlic & Herb flavor is similar. It’s often sold next to Boursin in the specialty deli section at most supermarkets.
Homemade Boursin-Style Cheese: If you’re feeling adventurous, you can make your own Boursin-style cheese at home! There are plenty of recipes online that can guide you through the process.

Here are five more substitutes for Boursin Cheese:

Feta Cheese: Feta has a tangy flavor that can add a unique twist to dishes. Add to a food processor with garlic and herbs for a sharper Boursin-like spread.
Ricotta Cheese: Ricotta is creamy, sweet, and mild, making it a good base for adding flavors. It melts quickly in hot pasta dishes and it will make a very loose spread or dip unless you combine it with a more sturdy substitute. Mix in your favorite spices to match your favorite flavor of Boursin and you’ve got a great Boursin Cheese substitute.
Mascarpone: Mascarpone is an Italian cream cheese that’s rich, creamy, slightly sweet—and very mild. It’s typically used in desserts like tiramisu, but when mixed with garlic and herbs, it can be a savory spread similar to Boursin.
Neufchâtel: This is a soft, white cheese sold in blocks next to regular cream cheese. It’s similar to cream cheese but with a lower fat content and is slightly drier. Use this in our homemade recipe below if you choose.
Gournay Cheese: This is actually the type of cheese that Boursin is, but there are other brands of Gournay cheese out there. Look for one that’s flavored with garlic and herbs for a similar taste to the original Boursin flavor.

Remember, the best Boursin Cheese substitute will depend on how you’re planning to use it. Mix and match a few of these types of cheese that you have on hand and combine them to get closer to the flavor and texture you love about Boursin. Some types of Boursin Cheese substitute may work better in certain dishes than others, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.

The bottom line

Boursin cheese, with its creamy texture and savory flavors, is a true delight. But even if you can’t find it, there’s no need to despair. With a little creativity and a willingness to try new things, you can find a Boursin Cheese substitute that brings that same delicious touch to your dishes. So go forth, cheese lovers, and explore the world of Boursin and beyond!

More About Boursin Cheese

Boursin Cheese Substitute: 10 Options + Homemade Recipe

Are you here to discover the ideal Boursin Cheese substitute or two? Here's a homemade recipe + 10 of the best substitutes when you’ve run out of the original Boursin Cheese!

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Ingredients

8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
4 oz butter, softened to room temperature
1 t dried chives
1 t dried parsley
½ t garlic powder
½ t dried dill
½ t dried thyme
1/4 t salt
1/4 t freshly cracked black pepper
Optional: 1 oz of plain goat cheese, softened to room temp

Instructions

In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese and butter plus the goat cheese, if you’re including it. Using an electric mixer or a wooden spoon, beat until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Add the minced garlic, dried chives, dried parsley, dried dill, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Mix until the herbs and spices are evenly distributed throughout the cheese mixture.
Taste the cheese and adjust the seasonings if necessary. If you prefer a stronger flavor, feel free to add more herbs or garlic.
Transfer the cheese to a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Shape it into a log or a disc, then wrap it tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Once the cheese is firm, it's ready to serve! You can spread it on crackers, use it in recipes, or enjoy it on its own.

Notes

You can use fresh dill, thyme, and chives for this recipe; just double the amounts shown.