Mexican Cheese Blends

The convenience of Mexican cheese blends

While Mexican cuisine is known for bold flavors and colorful ingredients, it’s the wide array of Mexican cheeses that deliver the rich and creamy flavors we love and crave. From the super melty varieties like queso chihuahua cheese to the stringy, gooey goodness of queso oaxaca, Mexican cheeses rock everything from tacos and enchiladas to nachos and quesadillas.

When cooking Mexican dishes at home, Mexican cheese blends offer the perfect balance of flavor and convenience. Typically combining three or four varieties that have been already grated, Mexican cheese blends deliver all the creamy texture, tangy flavor, and meltable goodness you want without requiring you to go out and purchase multiple cheeses and spend time grating them at home.

Mexican cheese blends from Wisconsin

Wisconsin cheesemakers have been perfecting traditional recipes and inventing new kinds of cheeses for more than 180 years. So, it should come as no surprise that many of the best Mexican cheese blends come from the State of Cheese™. From Sargento® Shredded 4 Cheese Mexican Natural Cheese blend to Land O’Lakes Mexican Blend Farmstyle Cut Shredded Cheese, you’ll find a wide variety of Mexican cheese blends created by some of the finest makers in America’s Dairyland. It’s just one more way to enjoy the incredible flavor and creamy texture of Wisconsin cheese – the most awarded cheese in the world.

All about Mexican cheese blends

Wisconsin makes some of the best Mexican cheese blends by grating or shredding several cheeses and combining them in different proportions to achieve a certain taste and texture. The amount of each cheese in the blend varies according to how the cheese will be used. For example, a blend that’s meant for enchiladas may favor more meltable cheeses, while a blend for nachos might have a higher ratio of sharper-flavored cheeses.

When produced commercially, Mexican cheese blends usually use up to four types of cheese to ensure a nice balance of flavor, meltability, and texture. The best cheese blends complement the bold flavors of Mexican herbs, spices, and sauces without overpowering the dish. The creamy texture of Mexican cheese blends also helps balance the spiciness of sauces or the acidity of citrus-based marinades to provide a balanced flavor profile.

Several of the cheeses that are often used in Mexican cheese blends include:

• Queso quesadilla: This semi-soft cheese is specifically designed for melting and has a mild, buttery flavor. It adds a rich, creamy texture to the blend, making it ideal for quesadillas, enchiladas, and tacos.
• Queso asadero: Known for its luscious, melty texture, queso asadero contributes a slightly tangy flavor and is excellent for dishes that require a cheese that melts evenly.
• Queso oaxaca: Often compared to mozzarella, queso oaxaca is stringy and stretchy, making it a perfect addition to cheese blends. Its mild flavor complements other cheeses while providing a satisfying melt.
• Queso chihuahua: Richer and sharper than other Mexican cheeses, queso chihuahua adds complexity to cheese blends and offers a smooth, creamy melt. It is often used in blends intended for hearty dishes like nachos or baked casseroles.
• Monterey jack: Though it’s not a classic Mexican cheese, monterey jack is widely used as a base in cheese blends to provide a creamy texture and to balance the sharper flavors of other cheeses.
• Cheddar: Cheddar is another non-Mexican cheese that’s commonly added to cheese blends for its sharp flavor and melting properties. A medium cheddar adds depth to the blend and enhances the savory profile of the dish.

What to make and drink with Mexican cheese blends

Mexican cheese blends can be used in a wide variety of dishes, including:

• Quesadillas: The combination of creamy and stretchy cheeses like queso quesadilla and queso oaxaca provide rich, silky filling that melts perfectly between tortillas.
• Enchiladas: Cheese blends are great toppers for enchiladas. They melt over the dish in the oven to create a cheesy, bubbly layer that complements the sauce and fillings.
• Nachos: A sharper cheese like queso chihuahua blended with milder cheeses like queso asadero gives nachos a flavorful, sumptuous topping, adding depth and richness to the dish.
• Tacos: Sprinkling a Mexican cheese blend over tacos brings a mild, creamy finish to this classic Mexican dish. The cheese melts slightly over warm fillings, offering balance to spicier or bolder flavors.
• Baked casseroles: Dishes like chiles rellenos or Mexican-style lasagna are perfect for cheese blends, binding the ingredients together with a velvety, creamy layer of cheese.

While you’re not likely to pair Mexican cheese blends with wine, beer, or liquor in the same way you would a standalone cheese, there are a few general suggestions for what to drink with Mexican dishes that contain cheese.

• Wine: A lightly oaked Chardonnay pairs well with cheesy Mexican dishes, as its buttery texture complements the creamy nature of the cheese. The high acidity and citrusy notes of a sauvignon blanc will cut through the richness of the cheese, while a dry rosé can provide a refreshing contrast.
• Beer: Light and crisp Mexican lagers are perfect for counteracting the richness of the cheese blends. With their balanced bitterness and maltiness, pale ales or amber ales also work well with cheesy dishes.
• Liquor: Tequila blanco offers a crisp, herbal contrast to the creamy richness of cheese, while mezcal’s smoky flavor adds depth to grilled or roasted cheese-based dishes. A classic margarita can also complement cheesy Mexican fare, offering a bright, zesty balance to heavier flavors.