Best Blue Cheese Substitutes for Salads, Dressings, and More
The best substitute for blue cheese is Gorgonzola at a 1:1 ratio. It works best for salads, pasta, dressings. There are 4 other alternatives below, each with exact ratios and usage notes.
Best Substitute
Gorgonzola
1:1
An Italian blue cheese. Gorgonzola dolce is creamier and milder; piccante is crumbly and more intense.
What are the other substitutes for blue cheese?
Roquefort
1:1
French sheep's milk blue cheese with a more intense, tangy flavor. Slightly stronger than most blue cheeses.
Stilton
1:1
English blue cheese with a rich, complex flavor. Milder than Roquefort but more intense than Gorgonzola dolce.
Feta
1:1
For those who find blue cheese too strong. Provides saltiness and crumbliness without the mold flavor.
Goat Cheese with Black Pepper
1:1
A milder tangy substitute. Adding cracked black pepper mimics some of the peppery bite of blue cheese.
What should you know before substituting blue cheese?
Blue cheese intensity varies enormously. Gorgonzola dolce is the mildest gateway option, while Roquefort is among the strongest. If a recipe calls for blue cheese crumbles and you find the flavor too strong, use half the amount and mix with feta.
How do you substitute blue cheese in a recipe?
A bold, pungent cheese characterized by blue-green veins of Penicillium mold throughout. Blue cheese has a sharp, tangy, and salty flavor that ranges from creamy and mild to crumbly and intensely strong.
The best substitute for blue cheese depends on what role it plays in your recipe. Our top recommendation is Gorgonzola (1:1), which works well for salads, pasta, dressings.
If you need a different option, Roquefort (1:1) is another reliable choice. French sheep's milk blue cheese with a more intense, tangy flavor. Slightly stronger than most blue cheeses.
When substituting blue cheese, consider the flavor profile, texture, and cooking method of your recipe.
Substitution ratios verified against USDA FoodData Central and FoodSafety.gov. See our testing methodology for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of blue cheese?
Gorgonzola is the most direct substitute for blue cheese. For a milder option, use feta to get the salty, crumbly texture without the intense mold flavor. Roquefort and Stilton are other excellent blue cheese alternatives.
What is the mildest blue cheese substitute?
Gorgonzola dolce is the mildest blue cheese variety. If you want to avoid blue cheese entirely, feta provides a similar salty, crumbly character without the characteristic blue mold flavor.
Can I use Gorgonzola instead of blue cheese?
Yes, Gorgonzola is a type of blue cheese and works as a 1:1 substitute. Gorgonzola dolce is creamy and mild, while Gorgonzola piccante is crumbly and more intense, so choose based on the intensity your recipe needs.