Want to see an epic list of recipes that use cotija cheese? You know you do. See if you find your new favorite recipe that uses up that package of cotija!
Cotija cheese is crumbly in texture and has the right amount of tanginess and saltiness.
It graces so many of our favorite Mexican dishes and other decadent cuisines.
Cotija cheese is most similar to crumbly feta and what I call “shaker cheese” —the cylinder of powdered parmesan cheese you find on most grocery shelves.
I think cotija has a bite but with a freshness that really makes it a great garnish for queso, on top of every Mexican dish you can think of, especially caldo de pollo!
But cotija has its own distinct personality and versatility and adds a certain depth of flavor to every dish.
Often a topping to nachos, tacos, and Elote, it provides a layer of mouthwatering taste to anything it touches.
Let us look at the 27 delicious cotija cheese recipes you can make at home.
Mexican Corn Dip is a beautiful and colorful mix of roasted green chiles, corn kernels, mayonnaise, chile powder, and cotija cheese.
This corn dip only takes a couple of minutes to whip up, and the toppings make it amazingly creamy with a hint of tanginess and a bit of spice.
You can serve the Mexican Corn Dip as an appetizer, and you can enjoy it hot and melted or cold and crunchy.
You can also serve the corn dip it as a snack and eat it with or without chips.
Salsa Roja, which translates to red sauce, is a bright Mexican condiment.
It’s perfect for nachos, enchiladas, huevos rancheros, and any Mexican dish you can imagine.
This mix of tomatoes, tomatillos, peppers, spices, seasonings, and cotija cheese creates a fantastic blend of sweet, savory, earthy, and spicy flavors!
It’s a great salsa you can dip your nachos or tortillas in too.
Chile Rellenos are made from roasted poblano peppers stuffed with melty cotija cheese and drizzled with Salsa Roja.
The Rellenos are garnished with hot sauce, sour cream, lime wedges, cilantro, and cotija cheese.
The colors, taste, and texture are all at play to make this dish a certified hit.
If you need a cotija cheese substitute we have some ideas here for you!
4. Elote
Elote is a popular Mexican street food made from grilled corn on the cob coated in a creamy and tasty mixture of mayonnaise, cotija cheese, cream, and chili powder.
This is the ultimate summer side dish that always gets rave reviews, and it is a perfect pair for roasts and barbeque.
5. Esquites
Esquites, also called Mexican Street Corn Salad, is a recipe packed with fresh flavors and delicious cotija cheese.
This salad is an amazing side dish with the same taste and textures as the classic Elote.
Carne Asada Torta is a type of Mexican sandwich that is stuffed with tender and juicy carne asada.
The soft roll is finished with various toppings, from lettuce, avocados, fried beans, chili peppers, and cotija cheese.
This sandwich is perfect for breakfast or snacks, as it is light yet filling.
Are you looking for a unique and cheesy party appetizer?
Then you can try the scrumptious Chorizo and Walnut Stuffed Mushrooms.
These delectable chorizo-stuffed mushrooms will have everyone drooling before even taking the first bite.
You may need a fork nearby to retrieve all of the bits that get away.
Enchiladas Verdes, or green chili chicken enchiladas, are topped in spicy green tomatillo salsa and finished with sour cream, cilantro, chopped red onion, and cotija cheese.
The dish is a wonderful explosion of colors and flavors, and they are bursting with goodness inside and out.
Air Fryer Corn Ribs is a different take on the delectable Elote.
Instead of serving the dish on a cob, the corn kernels are all shucked to create a rib-like shape.
They are then air fried to give them a crunchier texture and served with mayonnaise, chile, cilantro, cotija cheese, and lime.
If you own an air fryer, then this recipe is a must-try.
10. Esquites Nachos
Esquites Nachos, or Street Corn Nachos, are loaded with seasoned roasted corn, Oaxaca cheese, cotija cheese, lime juice, fresh cilantro, and a drizzle of crema.
This version of nachos makes an incredible appetizer or snack, and it is truly a party for your mouth.
11. Shrimp Tacos
Shrimp Tacos are loaded with crisp cabbage, plump juicy shrimp, avocado, cilantro, cotija cheese, and taco sauce that will certainly win you over.
This dish is served over toasted corn tortillas, so they are gluten-free.
Elota Pasta Carbonara is a complete mash-up.
It features the flavors of Elote in a creamy, saucy Italian-inspired pasta.
The result is a quick and colorful dish that makes a filling and delicious dinner for you and your family.
Shrimp Ceviche Tostadas is a fresh, citrusy shrimp and salad vegetables added on top of crunchy corn tortillas.
Best paired with a margarita!
This dish is a bit messy to eat, but it is definitely worth it.
Grilled Steak Street Tacos are perfect for taco lovers.
It is bursting with flavor and puts a unique spin to the Mexican dish.
The tender steak combined with tasty ingredients wrapped in corn or flour tortillas will make you want to reach for more.
Guacamole is a very famous dip, and the best thing you can do is to bring it to the next level by adding cotija cheese and corn.
This dip is creamy and fantastic.
It is loaded with flavors and unique texture, and you can serve it with nachos or tortillas.
This version of tacos with salmon, roasted corn, and adobo cream is an easy and tasty dish that you can make any time.
The dish contains peppers, grilled onions, salmon, cotija cheese, and your favorite taco fixings.
If you are not a fan of meat, you will undoubtedly love this fishy substitute.
The Cheesy Avocado & Corn Enchiladas combine cotija cheese, pepper jack cheese, corn, and creamy avocado sauce for a mouth-watering Mexican recipe.
This dish is ideal for vegetarians or those who just want to lay off meat.
Grilled Asparagus With Cotija Cheese is drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with ground black pepper and salt.
Sprinkle it with crumbled cotija cheese for an impressive side dish.
Vegetarian Stuffed Zucchini is a recipe loaded with Mexican flavors, from brown rice and black beans to chili and cotija cheese, each bite is like a party in your mouth.
You can even replace the rice with cooked cauliflower rice if you want a lighter version of this dish.
Mexican Elote Creamed Corn is an exciting version of Mexican street food, Elote.
This one-pot creamed corn dish is creamy, savory, and has the perfect blend of cheese and spices.
This dish is an excellent side dish or snack.
Mexican Quinoa Salad is light and refreshing, and it combines black beans, quinoa, corn, and tomatoes with a tangy lime vinaigrette.
This is a great side dish that you can bring to potlucks, picnics, and barbecues.
Mexican Street Corn Quesadillas are a flavorful, cheesy, and fun way to enjoy a Mexican quesadilla.
This dish is ready in just minutes and makes for a great lunch, snack, or party appetizer.
Creamy Mexican Corn Chowder is a hearty chowder packed with red peppers, corn, pepper jack cheese, and cotija cheese.
This comfort food is filling enough to be eaten alone for dinner, or you can serve it as an appetizer for lunch.
Nothing beats a massive bowl of warm soup and fresh bread when it is cold out.
So if you find yourself craving soup, you can prepare buttery and flaky Chive and Cotija Cheese Biscuits to pair them with.
You can eat them any time of the day, and if you aren’t up for a bowl of soup, then you can pair it with a cup of hot coffee.
Scrambled Egg Tacos are a fun and tasty twist on breakfast or brunch.
Not only is this recipe filling, but it is also gluten-free, nut-free, and perfect for vegetarians.
Cheese Puff Bread is a gluten-free and yeast-free bread you can easily bake at home.
This bread has a chewy center filled with cotija cheese and Parmesan cheese.
The outer part of the bread is golden brown and has the right crisp so you will definitely enjoy every bite.
Cheese Puff Bread is great for breakfast, or you can serve it as an appetizer for lunch.
Cold Pineapple Soup is a delicious and refreshing summer soup with basil and cotija cheese.
This soup is a filling appetizer that pairs beautifully with cold white wine.
You can even turn this pineapple soup as a smoothie and add more cotija cheese as a topping.
The bottom line
Cotija cheese is salty, savory, and crumbly, making it an ideal topping for salads, beans, tacos, and more.
Although eating it as is may take a lot of getting used to, adding it to your favorite Mexican dishes can give it the authenticity you’re looking for.
Running out of cotija cheese? Check out these 5 decent alternatives!
27 Easy Ways To Use Cotija Cheese
Want to see an epic list of recipes that use cotija cheese? You know you do. See if you find your new favorite recipe that uses up that package of cotija!
Ingredients
- Mexican Corn Dip
- Salsa Roja With Queso Cotija
- Chile Rellenos
- Elote
- Esquites
- Carne Asada Torta
- Chorizo & Walnut Stuffed Mushrooms
- Enchiladas Verdes
- Air Fryer Corn Ribs
- Esquites Nachos
- Shrimp Tacos
- Elota Pasta Carbonara
- Shrimp Ceviche Tostadas
- Grilled Steak Street Tacos
- Cotija & Corn Guacamole
- Wild Salmon Tacos
- Cheesy Avocado & Corn Enchiladas
- Grilled Asparagus With Cotija Cheese
- Vegetarian Stuffed Zucchini
- Mexican Elote Creamed Corn
- Mexican Quinoa Salad
- Mexican Street Corn Quesadillas
- Creamy Mexican Corn Chowder
- Chive & Cotija Cheese Biscuits
- Scrambled Egg Taco With Cotija Cheese
- Cheese Puff Bread
- Cold Pineapple Soup
Instructions
- Scroll for your favorite recipe from our list of Cotija Cheese Recipes.
- Pick out the ingredients needed for the dish.
- Cook then enjoy immediately!