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    Home » Cheese Types » What is Queso Panela Cheese Best For?

    What is Queso Panela Cheese Best For?

    Published: May 4, 2020 · Modified: Jul 26, 2023 by Eric Samuelson

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Learn what this Mexican cheese is and why you want to have some in your refrigerator. Also a simple recipe for Panela Fried Cheese Tacos, great for a meatless taco.

    What is Panela cheese good for

    This post includes affiliate links. This means that at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. These are products and services I recommend because I use or trust them. Cookies will be used to track the affiliate links you click.

    We are a cheese loving family, always on the lookout for a new cheese to try.

    We have tipped our toes into the world of Mexican cheese a little, but I thought it was as good of time as any to get fully submerged into the cheeses from Mexico.

    I have seen Queso Panela cheese at the store several times. It's usually hanging out with the Queso Fresco and the Cotija cheese. Probably some tortillas and crema nearby.

    Let's take a deep dive into what Panela cheese is and how to best use it in your kitchen.

    Jump to:
    • 🙋 What is Panela?
    • 🥪 Does it Melt?
    • 🌮 What is it Used For?
    • ♻️ Substitutes
    • 🛒 Where to Buy
    • 🧀 More on Cheese
    • Panela Fried Cheese Tacos
    Panela cheese on a gray plate

    🙋 What is Panela?

    Panela is a mild, white fresh cheese. It is not aged before being sold.

    It crumbles like Queso Fresco but not as much. It's texture might best be described as a firm Ricotta.

    Tradtioanlly Panela cheese was molded in baskets, which is why you will hear it called basket cheese in some places. Panela you find in the store today comes in a round shape.

    It doesn't have a different name in English, so there isn't an American equivalent. The most similar cheese to Panela is probably Paneer cheese from India.

    🥪 Does it Melt?

    The first question I have about a cheese is, "how does it taste?" The second question is, "does it melt?", or better yet, "is it a good melting cheese?" In the case of Panela, the answer is nope.

    However....

    Panela cheese being fried on a cast iron pan

    🌮 What is it Used For?

    Since it doesn't melt and hold its shape well, it can actually be pan fried. That's right, you can toss it right into a pan, get it brown and it will still be in it's same shape. How sweet is that!?

    This cheese offers many advantages such as

    • It absorbs flavors well
    • Eaten as an appetizer (pan fried, add seasonings)
    • Can be used in a sandwich like a Mexican Torta
    • Crumble to go on top of a salad or in a taco
    • Use it as a meat substitute in tacos
    • Can be baked in the oven and served with chips (another appetizer option!)
    • It's not expensive (a 10oz round cost me $3.89)

    A simple way to use is frying it up and serving it with some veggies (like peppers and onions) into of a soft taco tortilla (See recipe below)

    ♻️ Substitutes

    Just can't find Panela or have a recipe that calls for it and you want to use something else ?Paneer cheese will work but I think that is harder to find in most places.

    If you are just crumbling it up you can use Queso fresco or even feta.

    🛒 Where to Buy

    This cheese should be easy to find in any Mexican grocery store and in many supermarket chains too. I found mine at Kroger.

    Check out these stores:

    • Walmart
    • Kroger
    • Sam's Club
    • Jungle Jim's International Market
    • some Costco stores
    • HEB
    • Vons
    • Wegman's
    • Winco Foods

    🧀 More on Cheese

    Want to learn more about cheese including my recommendation for the best cheese for pizza? Read through the posts below.

    • What's the Difference - Cheddar vs. Colby
    • What is Muenster Cheese?
    • Different Types of Manchego and Mahon
    • Where to Buy Squeaky Cheese Curds
    • What is Butterkase Cheese Best For?

    Panela Fried Cheese Tacos

    Use Panela cheese as a meat substitue in this delicious soft tacos, with peppers and onions
    4.80 from 24 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Keyword: taco
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 soft tacos
    Author: Eric Samuelson

    Ingredients

    • 10 ounces Panela cheese
    • 1 medium yellow or sweet onion sliced
    • 2 bell pepper (combo of any color) cut into strips
    • 2 tbsp cooking oil your choice
    • kosher salt to taste
    • pepper flakes to taste
    • 4 flour tortillas soft taco size

    Instructions

    Prep the Ingredients

    • Slice the peppers into strips
    • Dice the onions or cut into bite sized strips
    • Slice the Panela into strips

    Cooking

    • Place a pan or skillet over medium heat with a 2 tsp of oil.
    • Place the Panela in the, cook until it has browned on one side, then flip. It should only take a couple minutes.
    • Remove the cheese. Add the onions to the pan, cook until soften.
    • Add in the peppers, cook until soften.

    Assembly

    • Evenly distribute the ingredients onto soft taco sized flour tortillas.
    • Season with salt and pepper flakes to taste
    Tried this recipe?Mention @eatlikenooneelse or tag #eatlikenooneelse

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alex @ CheeseOrigin.com

      September 10, 2023 at 1:54 am

      5 stars
      An informative piece that perfectly highlights the versatility of Panela cheese. The suggestions for frying and serving it with vegetables in a soft taco, or using it as a substitute for queso fresco or feta, are spot-on. This article is a must-read for anyone looking to explore the diverse culinary applications of this unique Mexican cheese.

      Alex,
      https://cheeseorigin.com/

    2. Eric Samuelson

      September 10, 2023 at 9:05 am

      Thanks Alex!

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    Nice to Meet You,

    Hi! I'm Eric : Father of 4, living just south of Ann Arbor, MI. I'm a reformed picky eater finding a new way to not conform. Eating what's in season is my jam (I also make it!)

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