From Tofu To Halloumi: Here Are 6 Best Paneer Substitutes

The pride of Indian cooking, paneer has gained immense popularity across the globe. Paneer dishes, often known as Indian cottage cheese, are a hit at any get-together! In case you are lactose intolerant or unable to find paneer in your locality, there are fantastic paneer substitutes available in this post. Although they taste slightly different, they nevertheless perfectly complement the dish.

What is Paneer?

It has a solid, crumbly texture and a strong milky flavor. It's usually cubed and used to make curries and other foods. For individuals who cannot consume eggs, scrambled paneer is a wonderful protein alternative. Paneer Butter Masala is one of the most well-liked Indian meals.

However, there are also many people who do not like the taste of paneer, suffer from lactose intolerance, or are vegan. For them, there are many different types of paneer substitutes like tofu, halloumi cheese, feta cheese, and many more.

Here we will discuss the various paneer substitutes that are available.

1. Halloumi Cheese

A semi-hard cheese called halloumi is produced by combining goat and sheep milk, with the occasional addition of cow milk. One description of its texture is squeaky. Due to its high melting point and ease of frying or grilling, it is a well-liked meat alternative. 

It tastes sour, creamy, and salty without being overly cheesy. The depth that Halloumi cheese brings to any dish is undoubtedly appreciated by those who enjoy foods with a lot of salt. It tastes like mozzarella, yet it has the same level of saltiness as Feta Cheese. In comparison with feta cheese, it is higher in fat and calories.

Halloumi is delicious when roasted golden in a skillet, grilled, or fried. It mixes well with vegetables and goes nicely with salads. It can also be served uncooked on top of salads or soups.

Video Credit: Youtube/Delicious Food

2. Panela Cheese

Mexican cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk, known as queso panela or panela cheese, is smooth, white, and fresh. It is also referred to as queso de la canasta or queso canasta. The majority of the time, it is offered with appetizers like salads or quesadillas. There are similarities between this cheese and Indian cheese paneer.

It is generally bland and requires spicy layers of pepper and spices, much like our paneer, so it takes on other flavors easily. Genuine, fresh panela remains in a similar water-based environment to mozzarella and can be prepared in the same manner. It keeps its shape and doesn't break down quickly, although it can also be fried.

Similar to paneer, but slightly sour, crumbly, and salty, it works well in curry recipes.

3. Tofu

Tofu, which is made from soybeans, is the best plant-based alternative to paneer.  Although tofu has a crumbly texture and a mild flavor, it does not taste like paneer. Extra-firm tofu is required if you want to prepare snack or curry dishes; otherwise, it will break down in the gravy or fail to become a crispy appetizer. Before utilizing it in any dish, you may also compress it under some weight to make it firm and take out any extra water.

Similar to paneer, it has a mild flavor, and a tender texture, and its flavor is entirely dependent on the curry or gravy that it is cooked in. Firm tofu is a terrific alternative for meat lovers as well. It has less calories and is rich in proteins and healthy fats.

Also Read: Paneer Or Tofu? Which Is Healthier?

4. Tempeh

An Indonesian-origin plant-based source of protein is tempeh. The material used to make it is fermented soybeans that have been shaped into a block, while store-bought tempeh frequently contains other grains and beans. Despite being well-known for having a high protein content, it has many other health advantages. 

It is solid and meaty, with a delicious nutty flavor, unlike tofu. Because of this, it's quite adaptable; you can use it to make stir-fries, stack it on sandwiches, crumble it like ground beef, and sear it like a steak. 

5. Cashew Cheese

Cashew cheese tastes incredibly good. It's so delicious, velvety, and smooth that you won't even realize it's vegan cheese. You will not crave the original cheese at all because it goes with everything and is simple to prepare.

This cashew cheese pairs well with almost anything that needs a creamy, rich cheese sauce. Taste it as a salad dressing, over potatoes, or even on pizza. Savor it with your preferred foods!

6. Almond Cheese

You'll be let down if you think almond cheese tastes like cheese prepared from goat, sheep, or cow's milk. However, if you're looking for a dairy-free, lactose-free, vegan alternative that tastes like cheese, try this creamy, slightly sweet, tangy almond cheese.

It is prepared by blending almonds and can be used in many ways like paneer.