Are you familiar with cotija cheese? If not, football season is the perfect time to try it out! Cotija cheese is a semi-hard, slightly aged cheese from Mexico that crumbles like parm but with a stronger, saltier flavor. It doesn’t melt, so it’s often used for crumbling on top of dishes. But it doesn’t have to be regaled to the sidelines! We curated some great recipes that use cotija cheese in a variety of contexts — but they’re all great for this weekend.
Mexican Street Corn Dip
Variations of this dip is perhaps one of cotija’s most notable contributions. Whether it’s intact on the cob in the summer, or made from canned corn in the colder months, different forms of street corn are a great way to add some ~zest~ to your plate. This recipe puts these flavors into a creamy dip form–perfect for scooping up with a tortilla chip or pretzel! The cotija helps counterbalance the jalapeno and various spices while contributing a unique texture. Check out the recipe here.
Cilantro and Cotija Queso Dip
We love this recipe because it’s one where cotija really gets to be a main player. Even though it’s still crumbled on top, it’s accompanied by other ingredients with mild profiles, so it’s salty characteristic gets to stand out. Try it for yourself here.
Bacon Guacamole with Cotija Cheese
If you didn’t think classic guac could get any better, you’ve never put BACON in it. I mean, what isn’t improved by adding bacon? The cotija serves to make the guac creamier than what you’ve come to expect. Plus, you get the added benefit of surprising your guests who were just expecting regular guac. They weren’t expecting this masterpiece.
Okay, you caught us: we’re big dip people. Dips are so versatile, both in flavor possibilities and different uses. Of course chips and other dippers are classic, but you can also recycle and reuse dips into later weeknight recipes. Speaking of…
Mexican Hot Dog
This recipe is great because you can serve it on game day, or certainly save it for later in the weekend as a use for party leftovers. Everyone loves a classic dog, but adding only a couple steps elevates this base beyond the ballpark. Check out the recipe here and let us know what sort of variations you would add.
