Stilton Cheese Substitutes

Stilton is a famous English blue cheese known for its pungent flavor and creamy texture.

Originating in the English villages of Stilton, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, this cheese has a distinctive taste that is difficult to replicate.

However, there are several good substitutes available that can mimic both the flavor and texture of Stilton when used in cooking.

What is Stilton Cheese?

Stilton cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and has a semi-soft and crumbly texture. It gets its unique blue veining and bold, tangy flavor from being pierced by stainless steel needles during production. This allows air to enter and helps blue mold spores called Penicillium roqueforti develop inside the cheese, creating the blue "veins" and robust flavor notes Stilton is known for.

There are two main types of Stilton cheese:

• Blue Stilton: The famous blue veined variety with a strong, tangy flavor. This is used for cooking as well as for eating.
• White Stilton: A younger, milder cheese without blue veining. Often blended with fruits like apricots or cranberries to make a sweet dessert cheese.

Stilton has a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), meaning authentic Stilton cheese can only be made in the three designated English counties mentioned above. The flavor and quality is overseen by the Stilton Cheese Makers' Association.

Factors To Consider When Choosing a Substitute

When selecting an alternative for Stilton cheese, keep the following factors in mind:

Flavor and Texture

Choose a substitute with a similar tangy, piquant flavor and semi-soft, crumbly texture. The alternative should have bold, earthy flavor notes and even blue veining if possible.

Availability and Budget

Consider what substitutes are easily available where you live and their price points. Specialty cheeses can get quite expensive, so have some budget-friendly options too.

Usage

Determine how you want to use the Stilton substitute. Is it for eating, cooking, cheese boards? This will help narrow options to cheeses that melt well, crumble nicely, etc.

With those factors considered, here are some excellent Stilton substitutes to try.

Blue Cheese Substitutes for Stilton

Roquefort

Roquefort is perhaps the closest you can get to mimicking Stilton cheese. Hailing from France, this raw sheep's milk blue cheese is aged in natural Combalou caves, resulting in a moist, crumbly texture with bold flavor.

Like Stilton, it has tangy and salty notes. But Roquefort tends to be sharper and more pungent while Stilton is creamier. Still, used in small amounts, this substitution works very well and provide the boldness needed in dishes like blue cheese dressings and dips.

Gorgonzola

An Italian blue cheese made from cow's milk, Gorgonzola makes for a fine Stilton alternative. Young Gorgonzola is firm and crumbly with a strong, spicy bite akin to Stilton.

Aged Gorgonzola has a softer, creamier texture and more mellow yet rich flavor. This makes it excellent for blue cheese sauces and pasta dishes requiring melted Stilton. The bold earthiness is similar, so Gorgonzola fills the flavor role nicely.

Danish Blue

Danish Blue cheese has an appearance and flavor profile quite close to Stilton cheese. It has the same crumbly texture along with a tangy, salty taste that rivals the English staple.

While it lacks PDO status and may have minor flavor variations from dairy to dairy, Danish Blue works beautifully in recipes needing that Stilton zing. It also tends to be more affordable and accessible than artisan Stilton.

Key Takeaway: Roquefort, Gorgonzola and Danish Blue are all excellent bold, tangy blue cheese substitutes for Stilton. Their strong flavors and crumbly textures make them suitable replacements.

Subtler Blue Cheese Replacements

Here are some milder blue cheese options that still supply nice flavor and textures:

Cambozola

Cambozola is a creamy, blended blue cheese combining French soft-ripened triple creme cheese with Italian Gorgonzola. The result is a very soft, mild blue cheese with a subtle tangy and fruity flavor.

The creamy texture makes it perfect for spreading on sandwiches or bagels in place of Stilton spreads. It also melts beautifully for delicious blue cheese dips, risottos and pasta dishes. Just use more Cambozola than you would Stilton to account for the milder flavor.

Fourme D’Ambert

With French roots like Roquefort but less intense, Fourme D’Ambert brings a nice Stilton-esque flavor without the punch. Made from raw cow's milk like Stilton, it is creamy with a mild blue flavor and just a bit of tang.

The smooth, dense texture melts extremely well for casseroles or pizza. And its subtlety allows other ingredients to shine while still providing that lovely blue cheese presence. For those wanting a more restrained Stilton alternative, Fourme D’Ambert fits splendidly.

Soft Cheese Substitutes for Stilton

In recipes needing creamy textures but not necessarily bold blue flavors, soft cheeses make excellent substitutes:

Brie

Brie is one of the finest substitutes for melting or general cooking purposes. With its bloomy rind and luscious creamy interior, it mimics Stilton's rich dairy flavors beautifully.

Brie brings a creaminess and subtle mushroom earthiness to dishes without being overly sharp or tangy. Use it when you want those lovely melty qualities without as much bite. Things like blue cheese burgers, sandwiches, omelets and appetizers all benefit from melted brie instead of Stilton.

Camembert

Camembert is another soft, creamy cow's milk cheese that makes for a nice mild replacement. Its flavor is light, a little fruity and nutty while the texture becomes oozy and molten when baked or melted.

Use Camembert in casseroles, pastas and pizzas when you want something decadent that melts nicely but doesn’t overtake other ingredients with tangy flavors. Its subtleness allows other components like veggies or seasonings in a dish to shine.

Other Cheese Substitutes for Stilton

Here are few more unique alternatives that work for their own reasons:

Goat Cheese

Creamy goat cheese brings a lovely tang and richness while having a milder flavor than Stilton that blends well with other ingredients. It supplies nice texture and meltability too. The next time a recipe calls for crumbled mild blue cheese, try goat cheese instead for a lighter, brighter flavor.

Feta Cheese

Feta won't mimic Stilton’s flavor exactly but provides a nice salty, tangy presence that livens up dishes like salads, omelets and Mediterranean recipes needing that briny kick. Use feta anywhere you want crumbled, bold seasoning without as much dairy flavor. Its firm yet crumbly texture also makes it easy to sprinkle or mix in.

Gjetost

Sometimes called “Scandinavian brown cheese”, Gjetost is a Norwegian whey cheese with a sweet, caramel-like flavor. Its firm, almost fudge-like texture that softens when baked makes it a unique Stilton replacement.

Use Gjetost anywhere you want a cheeses flavor with intense sweetness instead of sharpness, like a blue cheese burger, sweet potato gratin or baked brie. Because it caramelizes beautifully when baked or fried, it makes an almost candy-like substitute.

Key Takeaway: The soft cheeses Brie and Camembert melt beautifully in place of Stilton. While goat cheese, feta and gjetost offer unique tangy or sweet flavors and textures.

Non-Dairy Cheese Substitutes

Don’t eat dairy? Try these non-dairy cheese alternatives:

Cashew Cheese

Cashew cheese blended with yeast makes an excellent non-dairy substitute for Stilton in terms of flavor and texture. The yeast gives it a tangy bite while cashews supply creaminess that mimics dairy beautifully when melted or soft.

Use cashew blue cheese in pastas, risottos, sandwiches or anywhere you want that tangy flavor with lovely meltability. You can even make baked brie-style appetizers with it or blend it into dips and spreads. When made well, the flavors rival dairy cheese.

Coconut Cheese

Coconut cheese has become an impressively good dairy substitute. Many varieties aim to mimic dairy's flavor and texture, including blue cheese.

When made with cultures and fungal spores, coconut blue cheese captures that tangy bite and creaminess quite well. Crumble coconut-based blue cheese over salads, pizzas and crackers for the same bold sprinkles of flavor.

You miss some meltability compared to cashew cheese, but the taste and visual can still nail it pretty closely. And it avoids nuts for those with allergies.

Vegan Nutritional Yeast "Cheese"

Nutritional yeast is an umami-packed vegan staple used to mimic cheesy flavors. On its own sprinkled over dishes, it provides a nice savory, almost nutty flavor. But when blended with nuts or seeds into a "cheese", the taste can impressively replicate dairy.

For a blue cheese substitute, mix nooch with cashews or macadamia nuts, lemon, spices and fungal flavors/colors. Use anywhere you want sprinkles of sharp flavor without the dairy, like salads, sandwiches or pizza. The texture won't have quite the same richness, but flavor-wise it can hit the mark.

How To Use Stilton Cheese Substitutes

Here are common ways to implement Stilton substitutes into your cooking:

Salads and Veggies

Crumble blue cheese substitutes over lettuce and veggie salads for a pop of salty, tangy flavor. Roquefort, gorgonzola, Danish blue and other bold blues work great for this, as do goat cheese and feta for lighter accents.

For veggie sides like roasted brussel sprouts, broccoli or cauliflower, sprinkle subs over top just before serving for a savory garnish. The nuts and caramel notes in Gjetost also pair amazingly with roasted veggies.

Sandwiches and Burgers

Spread creamy options like Cambozola on sandwich bread or bagels instead of Stilton whipped butter. Or place slices of melty Brie or Camembert with other fillings.

For blue cheese burgers, crumble pungent varieties on top or try swapping Gjetost for sweetness instead. Grilled cheese with oozing Fourme D’Ambert gives a milder blue flavor too.

Pizzas

Alongside mozzarella, dot pizza dough with dollops of soft blue cheese before baking. Gorgonzola, Cambozola and Danish blue all melt beautifully into that distinctive tangy gooeyness.

For lighter accents, sprinkle crumbles of feta, goat or coconut blue cheese over veggie or white pizzas. The browning and caramel notes from Gjetost also make a unique sweet topping.

Pastas and Risottos

Mix Gorgonzola, Fourme D’Ambert or Danish blue into creamy garlic mushroom pasta sauces or risottos to mimic flavors of Stilton sauce. For non-dairy, try cashew cheese or even coconut yogurt for plant-based creaminess instead. The tangy accents enhance richness beautifully.

You can also bake penne, ziti or lasagna with either melty Brie or Camembert mixes for a blue cheese vibe without the bite.

Cheese Boards

Create a blue cheese section showcasing Danish blue, Cambozola, Gorgonzola and Stilton-style coconut or cashew cheese. Contrast them with soft cheeses like Brie and goat cheese and unique flavors like Feta and Gjetost.

Serve alongside fruit, nuts, chutneys and crackers that all pair impeccingly with tangy blues for a showstopping cheese board.

Key Takeaway: There are many avenues for mimicking Stilton's flavors and textures using the wide world of cheese. Experiment with different varieties in your cooking to discover your favorites.

FAQs

What is the closest substitute for Stilton cheese flavor?

Roquefort is likely the closest in flavor since it's also a tangy blue cheese made from sheep's milk. Gorgonzola also mimics Stilton's sharpness and earthiness nicely.

What is the best melting substitute for Stilton cheese?

Buttery Brie and Camembert probably melt the closest to Stilton's creaminess. Aged Gorgonzola and Cambozola also supply nice melty textures.

What are some good vegetarian substitutes for Stilton?

Gorgonzola, Cambozola and Danish Blue are all good vegetarian options since they use cow's milk. For non-dairy, try cashew cheese with some tangy flavor added or even coconut yogurt cheese. Fourme D'Ambert also works well.

What cheese makes a good substitute for Stilton in mac and cheese?

Aged Gorgonzola is excellent for getting creamy, tangy blue cheese sauce for mac and cheese. Brie and Camembert also supply luscious textures and nice earthy flavors. For non-dairy, cashew cheese makes an indulgent plant-based cheese sauce.

What are easy to find Stilton substitutes?

Roquefort may still remain specialty, but Gorgonzola, Danish blue, Brie and Camembert are usually easier to source from well-stocked grocery stores and cheesemongers. Always call ahead to verify inventory of a particular cheese.

What ingredients are good substitutions for Stilton cheese?

There's no perfect singular ingredient substitute. But combining creamy ingredients like milk cheese, sour cream or yogurt with tangy ones like lemon or vinegars can mimic some flavor and textural notes. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, onions/chives, etc to taste.

Conclusion

While Stilton cheese itself offers a unique tangy flavor and crumbly texture qualities, several suitable substitutes come impressively close.

Fellow blue cheeses like Roquefort, Gorgonzola and Danish Blue mimic Stilton beautifully, as do melty soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert and even unique cheeses like Gjetost for caramelized notes.

For non-dairy cooking, cashew cheese nails texture and tanginess, while coconut cheese rivals the creaminess.