Have you ever been mid-recipe, ready to add that creamy, flavorful dollop of Boursin cheese, only to realize you're out? Don’t panic. With substitute boursin cheese options, you can still whip up delightful meals.
Some options include cream cheese, but if you are looking for an alternative that is less creamy, there are other choices below.
These delicious substitutes for boursin cheese will have you wondering why you ever paid those premium prices. I’ll let you in on a few secrets that will have your guests thinking you've become a gourmet cheese connoisseur.
Jump to:
Boursin Cheese - Why The Hype?
What exactly makes Boursin cheese so special? It’s a blend of creamy, soft, spreadable cheese punctuated by herbs and garlic, creating a delicious array of flavors.
This French cheesy masterpiece is perfect for everything from a cheese board to stuffing for chicken or fish. You can even use Boursin to create delicious pasta sauces.
Why Bother with a Substitute?
While Boursin is delectable, it can sometimes feel like a splurge. Fortunately, with some readily available ingredients, you can make a homemade cheese spread that is nearly indistinguishable (see the recipe below). This will have your wallet sighing in relief, especially if you love using it in a variety of recipes.
6 Top Boursin Cheese Alternatives
1. Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is a readily available substitute for Boursin cheese, offering a similar creamy texture and mild flavor profile. Boursin cheese, known for its soft and spreadable consistency infused with garlic and herbs, can be closely replicated with cream cheese by adding similar seasonings.
To substitute cream cheese for Boursin cheese with a comparable taste, mix cream cheese with minced garlic, finely chopped fresh herbs (such as chives, parsley, and dill), and a pinch of salt.
This combination will mimic the flavor and texture of Boursin cheese, making it an excellent alternative in recipes calling for this gourmet ingredient.
When substituting, use a 1:1 ratio.
Best for: Cream cheese is one of the best Boursin cheese substitutes due to its creamy texture and ability to blend well with herbs and garlic and is perfect for stuffed tomato recipes.
See this delicious recipe: Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
2. Goat Cheese
Goat cheese, with its tangy and slightly earthy flavor, can also serve as a good substitute for Boursin cheese. While goat cheese has a different taste profile compared to the creamy and herb-infused Boursin, goat cheese’s versatility allows it to blend well with similar seasonings to mimic the desired flavor.
To use goat cheese as a substitute, you can enhance its flavor by mixing it with minced garlic, finely chopped fresh herbs (such as chives, parsley, and dill), and a pinch of salt. This mixture will provide a similar herby and creamy consistency. Use a 1:1 ratio.
Dill, thyme, parsley, and chives make wonderful complements to the slightly acidic base of goat cheese. Adding freshly chopped herbs can impart a herbed taste that goat cheese lacks on its own. A dash of lemon zest brightens everything up, too.
Best for: Goat cheese makes an excellent substitute for boursin cheese due to its tangy flavor and creamy texture, which can be enhanced with herbs and garlic and is ideal for cheese platters.
3. Laughing Cow Cheese
Want a substitute that's less intense? Laughing Cow is known for its light and creamy texture, making it a delightful choice.
Laughing Cow, with its creamy and mild flavor, makes for a convenient and accessible substitute for Boursin cheese. While Laughing Cow lacks the herb-infused characteristics of Boursin, it can be easily customized to achieve a similar flavor profile.
To use Laughing Cow as a substitute, combine it with minced garlic, finely chopped fresh herbs (such as chives, parsley, and dill), and a pinch of salt. This will help replicate the creamy and herby taste of Boursin cheese.
While a few people found it was too mild in some recipes, you can remedy that. Simply punch up the flavors with garlic powder and add your favorite herbs.
Best for: Laughing Cow cheese makes an excellent Boursin cheese substitute due to its smooth, spreadable texture and mild flavor, which pairs well with herbs and garlic and works well for crackers and cheese platters.
4. Ricotta and Cottage Cheese
Ricotta cheese has a smooth, slightly grainy texture and a mild, creamy flavor. It can be easily seasoned to replicate Boursin cheese.
The addition of fresh chives and dill creates a flavor profile akin to Boursin. If you favor a lighter consistency, cottage cheese can also step into the limelight. But it will have to work a bit harder - be sure to whip it into a smooth spreadable texture with generous amounts of your preferred herbs before it hits the spotlight. Use a 1:1 ratio for the best results.
Best for: Ricotta and cottage cheese make excellent Boursin cheese substitutes when blended smooth and mixed with herbs and garlic and is ideal for creamy spreads and stuffed tomato recipes.
Related: 12 Best Ricotta Salata Substitutes for Cheese-y Meals
5. Cashew Cheese
What about our friends who avoid dairy but crave that indulgent, garlicky, herb-infused cheesy experience? Enter cashew cheese, a dairy-free and plant-based option.
Start by soaking raw cashews in water until softened. Then blend those with nutritional yeast, garlic, lemon juice, herbs, salt, and pepper for a smooth, creamy spread. It's a fantastic option for folks who embrace a vegan or dairy-free lifestyle and want to create dishes that call for a Boursin substitute. Use in a 1:1 ratio.
Best for: Cashew cheese makes an excellent Boursin cheese replacement due to its creamy texture and ability to absorb flavors from herbs and garlic and works perfectly for dairy-free spreads and dips.
Related: Top 5 Creamy Havarti Cheese Substitute Options
6. Beecher's Handmade Cheese
Beecher's Handmade Cheese is a highly celebrated artisanal cheese hailing from Seattle. This creamy delight has an inherent sharpness that can resemble a mature cheddar.
Its texture and taste profile stand in nicely as a substitute for Boursin cheese in savory dishes. Think of it as a distinguished pinch hitter.
To mimic the creamy and herb-infused characteristics of Boursin cheese, you can blend Beecher's cheese with a few additional ingredients. Use in a 1:1 ratio.
Best for: Beecher's Handmade Cheese makes an excellent Boursin cheese substitute when blended with cream, herbs, and garlic, offering rich flavor and creamy goodness, and works very well for pasta dishes and cheese platters.
Related: Best Substitute for Swiss Cheese (And How to Use Them)
Tips for Substituting Boursin Cheese
Choose the Right Base
Start with a creamy cheese like cream cheese, goat cheese, or Laughing Cow cheese. These cheeses have the right texture to mimic Boursin.
Enhance with Herbs and Garlic
Minced garlic and freshly chopped herbs (such as chives, parsley, and dill) are key to replicating Boursin's herb flavor.
Blend for Consistency
For cheeses like cottage cheese or ricotta, blend until smooth to achieve a spreadable consistency similar to Boursin.
Add Cream for Richness
If your substitute isn't creamy enough, mix in a bit of cream or milk to reach the desired consistency.
Vegan Options
For a dairy-free substitute, use cashew cheese or Violife's vegan cream cheese, seasoning it similarly with herbs and garlic.
Let it Rest
After mixing your substitute, let it sit for a few hours in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to meld.
Check Shelf Life
Just like Boursin cheese, homemade substitutes should be consumed within a week to ensure freshness and flavor.
FAQs
Look for alternatives like flavored cream cheese, goat cheese, or Laughing Cow cheese to use as substitutes.
Flavored cream cheese spread or a seasoned mixture of softened cream cheese works well.
Blend cream cheese with herbs, garlic, and a bit of milk for a creamy substitute.
Violife's vegan cream cheese is a top choice for those seeking a vegan alternative to Boursin cheese, offering versatility in recipes similar to traditional cream cheese and providing a comparable flavor profile when flavored with additional ingredients.
Conclusion
Having boursin cheese substitutes is not just about cost-saving. It allows you to become the conductor of your kitchen, shaping flavors to match your taste preferences.
This is a simple trick that will spruce up any recipe, from elegant appetizers to hearty meals, showing everyone you are a cheese master! So, what are you waiting for? Grab that cheese and make the best of it!
Recipe
Substitute Boursin Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 cup cream cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives (optional)
Instructions
Mix Base Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of cream cheese, ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
Add Creaminess:
- Add ¼ cup of sour cream to the cheese mixture and blend until smooth.
Season:
- Stir in ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon of onion powder, ⅛ teaspoon of salt, and ⅛ teaspoon of black pepper.
Optional Flavor:
- Fold in 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh chives if desired.
Chill and Serve:
- Transfer the cheese spread to a serving dish, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Serve with crackers, bread, or vegetable sticks.
Notes
You can find the video in the post above. If you don't see a video, please check your browser settings.
Leave a Reply