Boursin cheese is a creamy, flavorful French cheese spread that has become a beloved kitchen staple. Made from a blend of herbs, spices, and dairy, this tangy cheese can be used in a variety of dishes from appetizers to main courses.
But what if you don't have Boursin available or want a non-dairy option? Luckily, there are several excellent Boursin cheese substitutes to choose from.
What is Boursin Cheese?
Boursin cheese was created in 1957 by French cheesemaker François Boursin. It is a cow's milk cheese, similar in texture to cream cheese but with a lighter, fluffier consistency.
Boursin comes in a variety of exciting flavors such as:
- Garlic & Fine Herbs
- Basil & Chive
- Cracked Black Pepper
- Shallot & Chive
- Cranberry & Spice
It can be enjoyed as a spread on crackers, added to pasta dishes, used in dips, or even baked into tarts. Boursin provides a tangy, rich flavor as well as a smooth, creamy texture.
Key Takeaway: Boursin is a French cheese spread made from cow's milk, known for its herb flavors and smooth, spreadable texture.
Best Boursin Cheese Substitutes for Appetizers
One of the most popular ways to enjoy Boursin is as part of an appetizer spread or cheese platter. When Boursin isn't available, here are two excellent substitutes:
Laughing Cow Garlic & Herb Cream Cheese
Laughing Cow's garlic and herb flavored cream cheese makes an ideal substitute for Boursin's classic garlic and herb variety. It provides a similar creamy, spreadable texture along with the flavors of garlic, parsley, and onions.
Laughing Cow also comes in a lower calorie version, with just 35 calories per wedge compared to Boursin's 120 calories per serving. Use it in any appetizer or recipe where you want the tang of garlic and herbs without the higher calories.
Beecher's Handmade Farmer's Cheese
Beecher's farmer's cheese is another excellent appetizer option when you want a bolder, more robust flavor than Boursin. It has a salty, tangy flavor typical of fresh farmer's cheeses.
Beecher's includes flavorful additions like garlic, olive, and Mediterranean herbs. The texture is rich and spreadable, perfect for spreading on crackers or breads. Use Beecher's for an artisanal cheese plate or when you want a more sophisticated flair.
Key Takeaway: Laughing Cow and Beecher's farmer's cheese both make good herb-flavored, spreadable substitutes for appetizers when Boursin isn't available.
Best Replacements for Boursin on a Cheese Board
In addition to appetizers, Boursin is a tasty addition to any cheese board. When you want that creamy element but don't have Boursin, these substitutions will work well:
Chèvre (Goat Cheese)
Chèvre is a creamy French goat cheese that can stand in for Boursin on a cheese platter. Look for a younger, soft chèvre rather than an aged, crumbly variety.
The texture of soft chèvre is ideal for spreading. It has a tangy, herbaceous quality similar to Boursin but with a more pronounced goat's milk flavor.
Chèvre comes in various flavors like garlic, herbs, and peppercorns. It pairs deliciously with fruits, nuts, olives and wines. The creamy texture and spreading ability make it a fine replacement for Boursin.
Gorgonzola Dolce
Gorgonzola dolce is a milder, creamier form of the blue Italian cheese. It has a pale yellow color similar to Boursin and a rich, indulgent texture.
The flavor is tangy with fruity, nutty notes. It lacks the herbs of Boursin but provides a sophisticated flair for a cheese board. Gorgonzola dolce pairs wonderfully with bold red wines, figs and dates.
Use it in place of Boursin when you want a decadent blue cheese option. Just avoid the bolder Gorgonzola naturale or Gorgonzola piccante which may overwhelm.
Key Takeaway: Soft, creamy chèvre and buttery Gorgonzola dolce are flavorful and spreadable alternatives to Boursin for cheese platters.
Best Boursin Substitutes for Cooking
Beyond snacking and cheese boards, Boursin is useful in cooked dishes like pasta, soups, sauces and more for its rich flavor and creamy texture. When cooking, try these substitutions:
Fromage Frais
Fromage frais is a French cream cheese with a similar light texture to Boursin. It provides a mildly tangy base that takes on other flavors easily.
Use fromage frais blended with garlic, herbs and spices as a substitute in any recipe calling for Boursin as an ingredient. Add it to sauces, dips, savory tarts or even cheesecake for a lower fat alternative.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese makes an effortless swap for Boursin in cooking and baking recipes. It has the same rich mouthfeel and ability to blend smoothly into dips, sauces, soups and baked goods.
For the flavor, simply mix in desired herbs, spices, garlic or other seasonings to match the Boursin variety you want. Cream cheese works especially well in pasta sauces, dips, stuffed vegetables, or quiches when you need that decadent, creamy element.
Neufchâtel
Neufchâtel is actually a French cream cheese made solely from milk and cream. It has a softer, more spreadable texture than traditional cream cheese.
Use Neufchâtel in place of Boursin in cooking applications like quiche, tarts, sauces and more. It melts and blends smoothly, adding a creamy lushness.
For flavor, season your Neufchâtel with herbs, garlic, pepper and spices to mimic Boursin. The mild starting flavor makes it perfect for customizing.
Mascarpone
Mascarpone is an indulgently rich and creamy Italian cream cheese. With almost 80% butterfat, it provides a luxurious mouthfeel perfect for replacing Boursin in dishes like dips, sauces, risottos and desserts.
Stir mascarpone into pasta sauces in place of Boursin for velvety richness. Use it to make creamy vegetable tarts or even sweet cheesecakes. The thick, spreadable texture makes it a decadent stand-in.
Key Takeaway: Fromage frais, cream cheese, Neufchâtel and mascarpone all mimic Boursin's rich creaminess for cooking and baking applications.
Low-Fat Substitutes for Boursin
With 120 calories and 10 grams of fat per serving, Boursin is quite rich. If looking for lower-fat options, try these substitutions:
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a high protein, reduced fat choice. It has approximately half the calories and fat of Boursin per serving.
The curds give it a different texture than Boursin, but cottage cheese still works well as a spread. Blend it smooth, then mix in desired herbs, garlic or other flavors.
Quark
Quark is a fresh cheese made from dairy and buttermilk. It has a tangy, yogurt-like flavor and smooth, thick texture similar to cream cheese but with 40% less fat.
Season quark with herbs to mimic Boursin's flavor in a healthier way. Use it as a dip, spread, or baking ingredient to cut calories and fat. The subtle tang pairs nicely with fruits and spices.
Key Takeaway: Cottage cheese and quark provide lower-fat alternatives to mimic Boursin's flavor and texture.
Non-Dairy Substitutes for Boursin
In addition to lower-fat options, several dairy-free alternatives can mimic Boursin for vegan diets or food allergies:
Dairy-Free Cream Cheese
Dairy-free cream cheeses made from nuts like cashews or almonds make easy Boursin swaps. Brands like Kite Hill and Tofutti offer creamy, spreadable cream cheese alternatives that take on flavors well.
Blend in herbs, garlic, lemon, and spices to match Boursin's tang. Use as a sandwich spread, dip, frosting, or cooking ingredient like regular cream cheese.
Cashew Cheese
Cashew cheese is a vegan spread made from seasoned cashews. Soak raw cashews then blend with flavors like chives, garlic, and nutritional yeast to mimic Boursin.
The result is a spreadable, cheese-like texture. Adjust flavors to your tastes. Enjoy cashew cheese on bagels, sandwiches, crackers or in vegan appetizer dips.
Silken Tofu
Silken tofu is a vegan ingredient that can provide a rich, creamy background note in cooking. Use it to thicken and enrich sauces, soups, dips and spreads.
It won't mimic the flavors of Boursin on its own but takes on other seasonings well. Add herbs and spices to silken tofu for a lactose-free cooking substitute.
Key Takeaway: Dairy-free cream cheeses, cashew cheese, and silken tofu allow you to mimic Boursin's richness without milk or dairy.
FAQs
Can I use cream cheese instead of Boursin?
Yes, regular cream cheese makes an easy, inexpensive substitute for Boursin in recipes and cooking applications. To mimic Boursin's tangy flavor, simply blend cream cheese with desired herbs, garlic, pepper, lemon juice or other seasonings.
Can Boursin be substituted for goat cheese?
You can use Boursin as a substitute for goat cheese in some instances because of the similar soft, spreadable textures. However, goat cheese tends to have a more pronounced, strong flavor compared to the milder Boursin. Adjust other seasonings to compensate when substituting.
Is Alouette cheese the same as Boursin?
Alouette is a brand that makes several soft cheese spreads. However, their products are not identical to Boursin. They do offer similar herb-flavored options that can be used as replacements for Boursin in recipes. Check labels for ingredients and flavors.
Can I freeze Boursin cheese?
Yes, you can freeze Boursin cheese to extend its shelf life. Make sure it is sealed in an airtight container or freezer bag. Allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge before using. The texture may be slightly softer after freezing but the flavor remains.
Conclusion
Boursin's creamy texture and zippy herbed flavor profile make it a versatile ingredient in appetizers, cooking and cheese boards. Luckily, several substitutes can mimic Boursin when needed.
Look for cheeses like Laughing Cow, chèvre, or Gorgonzola dolce for apps and platters. Cream cheese, fromage frais and mascarpone work well in baking and cooking. And reduced-fat options like cottage cheese or non-dairy alternatives such as cashew cheese provide more diet-friendly ways to recreate Boursin's delicious qualities.