How To Crumble Goat Cheese

Goat cheese is a popular cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes. However, it's not the easiest cheese to crumble if you want to add it to a salad or other dishes. If you want to know how to crumble goat cheese, then you are in the right place!

It's easiest to crumble goat cheese when it's cold. Put your goat cheese into the freezer until it is firm to the touch. Then, use a knife, fork, or your hands to break the goat cheese into smaller pieces.

While it's a popular choice amongst chefs and home cooks, goat cheese isn't the easiest to work with. In this article, we will take a closer look at how to crumble goat cheese. In addition, we will answer other FAQs about this tasty, tangy cheese!

Is There A Way To Crumble Goat Cheese?

Goat cheese has a strong, tangy taste that doesn't fit everyone's taste. However, for those who enjoy the taste of goat cheese can find numerous ways to add it to dishes.

Goat cheese isn't the easiest to work with compared to other cheese. For example, you can take a block of cheddar or swiss and crumble it or grate it to your liking.

Goat cheese isn't that forgiving and takes some prep work to crumble it to the right consistency. Since goat cheese is naturally soft, we recommend that you crumble goat cheese when it's cold.

Place your goat cheese in the freezer until it is firm. Next, you can use a knife to break the goat cheese into smaller pieces. You can also use a fork for this process, so use whatever method you find to be easier.

You can also crumble goat cheese using your hands. However, the warmth from your hands will soften the cheese, which can cause it to turn gummy in texture.

You can also buy aged goat cheese, which has a firmer texture than fresh goat cheese. Keep in mind there may be a difference in taste from aged goat cheese to fresh; try it out before adding it to your dish.

Once you have your goat cheese crumbled to your liking, it's time to add it to your dish. Goat cheese goes great with salads or as a garnish on dishes. Experiment with your goat cheese crumbles; you never know what you will create!

Does Goat Cheese Melt?

In addition to not being the easiest to crumble, goat cheese won't melt like cheese from cows' milk. No matter how hot you get the goat cheese, it will become soft and gooey but won't melt.

So why doesn't goat cheese melt? Goat cheese is more acidic than most cow's cheese. This causes the casein proteins to bind together, making it hard to break apart.

However, there are ways to get a liquid consistency out of goat cheese. The best way is to add milk or cream while stirring until it reaches the desired consistency. You can also try adding melted butter to get a creamy texture.

Can You Grate Goat Cheese?

Some cheese wasn't meant to be grated, and no matter how hard you try, you will be left with a mess. Like fresh mozzarella, goat cheese has a high water content and will break apart when you try to grate it.

Not only with this not yield the results you were hoping for, but it will also stick into your cheese grater. The last thing you want is to spend extra time deep-cleaning all of the goat cheese from your grater.

To save yourself the headache, stick to slicing, crumbling, or tearing your fresh goat cheese.

What Cheese Is Similar To Goat Cheese?

Depending on what dish you are making, there are good substitutes for goat cheese. Let's take a look at them below:

Blue Cheese

If you like the strong flavor, then we recommend using blue cheese. Blue cheese does a better job crumbling, melts easier, and goes great in a variety of dishes.

Ricotta Cheese

Another good choice is ricotta cheese. Ricotta has a mild taste, but you will still have issues melting and crumbling ricotta cheese.

Cream Cheese

Cream cheese has a similar texture as goat cheese but doesn't have as strong of a taste. If you want to add a tang to your cream cheese, you can add a small amount of natural yogurt.

Feta Cheese

For salads, feta cheese is a great alternative to goat cheese. You will still have that bite of flavor, and it crumbles nicely. The main difference between the two is that most feta cheese is made with sheep milk instead of goat's milk.

Labneh

Lastly, you can go with the Mediterranean yogurt cheese labneh. It works great for spreads and has a tangy flavor.

Is Crumbled Goat Cheese Healthy?

Goat cheese does have nutritional benefits, being a good source of protein, calcium, and healthy fats. It is also said that it can be easier to digest than cheese made from cows' milk.

Goat cheese also has fats that contain capric acid, which is beneficial in aiding inflammation and harmful bacteria.

Depending on how goat cheese is processed, it can also contain probiotics. If you like the taste of goat cheese, then it may be worth adding it to your diet.

However, with any cheese, it should be consumed in moderation. Having higher calories, salt, and fats, can lead to unintended weight gain. So, portion out your goat cheese and track your macros if you are trying to maintain or lose weight.

How Do You Store Goat Cheese?

Since it's a soft cheese, it is recommended to always refrigerate goat cheese. If you don't, goat cheese can curdle, develop mold, and spoil. As a result, it won't be safe to eat and should be tossed in the garbage.

After opening the goat cheese, it should be tightly sealed and stored in the fridge for 2-3 weeks. When this time frame has been reached, check your goat cheese for tell-tale signs of spoilage.

Signs of spoilage include:

• Visible mold
• Foul smell
• Discoloration
• The liquid around the cheese
• Undesirable taste

If you don't plan on using the goat cheese within the 2-3 weeks, then it's best to put it in the freezer. Use a freezer-sealed bag, ensure it's airtight, and store it for up to 6 months.

When you are ready to use the frozen goat cheese, let it thaw until it reaches the consistency you want. It's best to thaw goat cheese in the fridge until it gets softer. If you let frozen goat cheese thaw at room temperature, it could change its texture and flavor.

Is Goat Cheese Better Warm Or Cold?

While it comes down to your personal preference, goat cheese is typically served at room temperature. You will find that the texture is more enjoyable than if it were cold.

However, you will find several recipes that include warm goat cheese. For example, goat cheese can be put on pizza, tossed in an omelet, or baked and served as a thick dip with crackers.

In some cases, goat cheese at room temperature is easier to work with. If your recipe calls for goat cheese to be put in a food processor, it will yield the consistency you are looking for versus it being straight out of the fridge.

Do You Need To Peel Goat Cheese?

Fresh goat cheese doesn't have a rind, so it doesn't need to be peeled. Aged goat cheese usually has a white rind that develops from the cultures the cheese is inoculated with.

This rind is edible, like the rind on camembert or brie. If you or your guests don't like this rind, you can remove it, but you don't need to.

Is Goat Cheese More Expensive Than Other Cheese?

If you go to the supermarket and are confused as to why goat cheese is a higher price than other cheese, there is an explanation.

There are significantly fewer goats producing milk compared to cows. Plus, goats are way smaller than cows and produce less milk, thus a lower supply of goat's milk to make cheese.

Dollar for dollar, you'll get less goat cheese than other, more common cheeses. However, goat cheese has a strong flavor, so a little bit can go a long way.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to crumbling goat cheese, give it time in the freezer to firm it up, so it's easier to work with. Then it will be ready to add to your favorite recipes!

Made it to the end? Here are other articles you might find helpful:

Can You Leave Velveeta Cheese Out Overnight?

Can You Grate Cheese Ahead Of Time?

How Long Can Cheese Last In The Freezer?