Cheeses that start with Q are a surprisingly interesting bunch. Some are everyday supermarket finds, such as quark. Others are Spanish, Mexican, Portuguese, Brazilian, Austrian or Italian cheeses that you might only spot in a deli, world food shop or well-stocked online cheese counter.

This guide keeps things practical. You will find what each Q cheese tastes like, how to use it, what to look for when buying it in the UK, and a few budget-friendly swaps if the real thing is hard to find.

Quick List of Cheeses That Start With Q

Here are the main cheeses beginning with Q, including cheeses whose full names start with queso or queijo, which simply mean cheese in Spanish and Portuguese.

• Quark
• Quargel
• Quartirolo Lombardo
• Quader de Cavra
• Queso Blanco
• Queso Fresco
• Queso Oaxaca
• Queso Chihuahua
• Queso Asadero
• Queso Cotija
• Queso Panela
• Queso Manchego
• Queso de Murcia al Vino
• Queso Tetilla
• Quesillo
• Queijo Serra da Estrela
• Queijo São Jorge
• Queijo de Azeitão
• Queijo de Nisa
• Queijo de Évora
• Queijo Rabaçal
• Queijo do Pico
• Queijo Coalho
• Queijo Minas

Cheeses Beginning With Q: Comparison Table

Quark

Quark is one of the easiest Q cheeses to find in the UK. It is a soft, fresh dairy cheese with a mild, slightly tangy flavour. Texture varies by brand, but it is usually smooth, thick and spoonable.

It is popular with people who want something creamy without buying cream cheese, crème fraîche or mascarpone. It works in sweet and savoury dishes, which makes it useful if you are trying to cut food waste.

How to use quark

• Stir into pasta sauces off the heat for creaminess.
• Mix with herbs, garlic and lemon for a quick dip.
• Spoon over baked potatoes instead of sour cream.
• Use in cheesecakes, pancakes or breakfast bowls.
• Fold through mashed potatoes for a lighter creamy texture.

Money-saving tip

Quark is often cheaper than branded cream cheese. If you find a yellow-stickered tub, use it in a cooked dish the same day or freeze it for sauces. The texture may split slightly after freezing, but it usually blends back into soups and pasta sauces well enough.

Quargel

Quargel is an Austrian sour milk cheese, usually made from curd cheese. It is small, strong-smelling and low in fat compared with many richer cheeses. The flavour can be sharp and pungent, so it is not one for anyone who only likes mild cheddar.

In the UK, Quargel is a specialist product. You are more likely to find it in Austrian, German or Eastern European food shops than in a regular supermarket.

How to use Quargel

• Serve thin slices with rye bread and pickles.
• Add to a simple ploughman-style plate for a sharper flavour.
• Pair with onions, vinegar and a little oil in a traditional Central European style.

Quartirolo Lombardo

Quartirolo Lombardo is an Italian PDO cheese from Lombardy. It is made with cow’s milk and can be eaten young or more mature. Younger Quartirolo is soft, slightly crumbly and fresh-tasting. More mature versions become stronger and more savoury.

It is not as famous in Britain as Gorgonzola, Parmesan or Taleggio, but it is a good one to know if you like Italian cheeses with a bit of character.

How to use Quartirolo Lombardo

• Crumble over roasted vegetables.
• Serve with tomatoes, olive oil and basil.
• Add small pieces to risotto just before serving.
• Eat with crusty bread, pears or figs.

Budget swap

If you cannot find Quartirolo Lombardo, try a mild feta, Wensleydale or a young goat’s cheese, depending on the dish. None are exact matches, but they can give a similar crumbly, tangy feel.

Quader de Cavra

Quader de Cavra is an Italian goat’s milk cheese from Lombardy. The name roughly points to its square shape and goat’s milk base. It is a washed-rind cheese, so expect a stronger aroma than a simple supermarket goat’s cheese.

This is more of a cheeseboard cheese than a cooking staple. If you see it reduced at a deli counter, it can be a lovely treat with bread, chutney and a crisp apple.

Mexican and Latin American Queso Cheeses

The word queso means cheese in Spanish, so there are many cheeses that start with Q when their full Spanish names are used. These are especially useful for tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, beans, soups and grilled corn.

Queso Blanco

Queso Blanco means white cheese. It is a fresh, mild cheese that holds its shape fairly well when heated, depending on the exact style. It is often used in Latin American cooking and can be crumbled or sliced.

It is not always easy to buy in UK supermarkets. Paneer is one of the best budget substitutes because it is mild, white and holds together when cooked.

Queso Fresco

Queso Fresco means fresh cheese. It is soft, moist and crumbly, with a gentle milky tang. It does not melt like cheddar, which makes it ideal for sprinkling over hot food just before serving.

Use Queso Fresco on tacos, chilli, refried beans, roasted sweetcorn, tomato salads and spicy soups. If you need a supermarket alternative, feta works, but it is usually saltier and stronger. A milder salad cheese can be closer.

Queso Oaxaca

Queso Oaxaca is a Mexican stretched-curd cheese with a stringy texture. It is one of the best Q cheeses for melting. Think quesadillas, grilled sandwiches, burritos and nachos.

In Britain, low-moisture mozzarella is the easiest substitute. Standard fresh mozzarella also works, but it can release more liquid, so drain it well before using in toasties or wraps.

Queso Chihuahua

Queso Chihuahua, also called queso menonita in some contexts, is a Mexican cow’s milk cheese known for melting well. It is mild, buttery and useful in cooked dishes.

Try it in quesadillas, enchiladas, burgers or cheese-topped wedges. If you cannot get it, use mild cheddar, Monterey Jack or mozzarella blended with a little cheddar.

Queso Asadero

Queso Asadero is another Mexican melting cheese. It is smooth, creamy and good for stretchy cheese pulls. It is especially useful for grilled dishes and melted cheese dips.

For a reduced-grub approach, use whatever mild melting cheese you already have: mozzarella, Monterey Jack, young cheddar, Edam or a mix of odds and ends from the fridge.

Queso Cotija

Queso Cotija is firmer, saltier and more intense than fresh Mexican cheeses. It is often crumbled over dishes rather than melted. It brings a savoury punch to sweetcorn, beans, tacos and salads.

Parmesan, pecorino or a firm Greek-style salad cheese can stand in if Cotija is unavailable. Use less at first, as these substitutes vary in saltiness.

Queso Panela

Queso Panela is a mild fresh Mexican cheese with a smooth texture. It can be sliced, crumbled or lightly fried. It does not melt in the same way as cheddar, making it handy for warm salads and grilled vegetable dishes.

Paneer, halloumi or a firm salad cheese can work as substitutes, though halloumi is much saltier.

Quesillo

Quesillo can mean different things depending on the country. In Mexico, it is often another name for Oaxaca-style string cheese. In parts of Central and South America, it may refer to other fresh or stretched cheeses.

If a recipe asks for quesillo and looks Mexican, mozzarella is usually a safe UK-friendly swap.

Spanish Cheeses Starting With Queso

Spanish cheeses often appear with the word queso before their regional name. The cheese itself may be better known by the second part of the name, but they still count when you are searching for cheeses that start with Q.

Queso Manchego

Manchego is Spain’s famous sheep’s milk cheese from La Mancha. Sold as Queso Manchego, it can be young and buttery or mature and nutty. It is excellent with quince paste, olives, almonds and crusty bread.

It is fairly easy to find in larger UK supermarkets, especially around Christmas. For better value, compare the deli counter price with pre-packed wedges, as one is often noticeably cheaper than the other.

Queso de Murcia al Vino

Queso de Murcia al Vino is a Spanish goat’s cheese washed in red wine. It is sometimes known as drunken goat cheese. The flavour is creamy and tangy, with a distinctive reddish rind.

Serve it with crackers, grapes or roasted peppers. It is a good cheese for people who like goat’s cheese but want something a little different.

Queso Tetilla

Queso Tetilla is a Galician cow’s milk cheese with a soft, smooth texture and mild flavour. Its rounded shape is distinctive. It melts nicely, so it can be used in toasties, omelettes and baked dishes.

If you cannot find it, try a mild creamy cheese such as young Gouda, Edam or a gentle Lancashire.

Portuguese and Brazilian Queijo Cheeses

Queijo means cheese in Portuguese. Portugal has a rich cheese tradition, and Brazil has its own much-loved cheeses too. Many of these are easier to find through Portuguese grocers, Brazilian shops or online cheesemongers.

Queijo Serra da Estrela

Queijo Serra da Estrela is one of Portugal’s most celebrated cheeses. It is traditionally made with sheep’s milk and has a soft, rich, almost spoonable centre when ripe. It is often served by cutting the top and scooping out the inside with bread.

This is not usually a cheap everyday cheese, but it makes a memorable centrepiece for a small gathering. To keep costs sensible, serve it with inexpensive extras such as homemade toast, apple slices, roasted nuts and chutney from the cupboard.

Queijo São Jorge

Queijo São Jorge comes from the Azores. It is a firm cow’s milk cheese with a strong, savoury flavour. Mature versions can be tangy and slightly spicy.

Use it as you would a bold cheddar: grated into omelettes, melted into toasties, shaved over salads or served with pickles. A mature cheddar is the most practical UK substitute.

Queijo de Azeitão

Queijo de Azeitão is a soft Portuguese sheep’s milk cheese with a rich, creamy texture. Like Serra da Estrela, it can be spoonable when ripe and is lovely with plain bread.

Because the flavour is distinctive, keep the accompaniments simple. Bread, pear, honey or a few walnuts are enough.

Queijo de Nisa

Queijo de Nisa is a semi-hard sheep’s milk cheese from Portugal. It has a firm texture and a slightly tangy, savoury flavour. It works well sliced on bread, served with olives or added to a cheeseboard.

Queijo de Évora

Queijo de Évora is another Portuguese sheep’s milk cheese, usually small and firm. It can be more intense when mature, making it useful in small portions with bread, fruit or wine.

Queijo Rabaçal

Queijo Rabaçal is made from a mixture of sheep’s and goat’s milk. It has a balanced flavour: not as mild as supermarket cheddar, but not overpowering. It is a good choice for anyone exploring Portuguese cheese beyond the best-known names.

Queijo do Pico

Queijo do Pico is a cow’s milk cheese from the Azores. It is semi-soft to semi-hard, with a pleasant savoury taste. It is often enjoyed as a table cheese and pairs well with bread and simple fruit.

Queijo Coalho

Queijo Coalho is a Brazilian cheese famous for grilling. It holds its shape over heat, making it ideal for skewers, barbecues and frying pans. The texture is firm and slightly squeaky.

Halloumi is the easiest substitute in the UK. If halloumi is reduced, buy an extra pack and freeze it. It can be a good way to add protein to quick meals without cooking meat.

Queijo Minas

Queijo Minas is a Brazilian cheese from Minas Gerais. There are fresh and matured versions. Fresh Queijo Minas is mild, moist and often eaten at breakfast or in snacks. Matured versions are firmer and stronger.

For a UK substitute, try a mild fresh cheese, paneer or a lower-salt salad cheese, depending on how the cheese is being used.

How to Save Money When Buying Q Cheeses

Some cheeses that start with Q are specialist imports, so prices can vary. A few simple habits can help you try them without overspending.

• Check the reduced section: Deli cheeses often get marked down close to their use-by date. Only buy what you can safely eat or freeze.
• Buy smaller portions: Strong cheeses such as Cotija, São Jorge or mature Manchego go further because you need less.
• Use substitutes wisely: Mozzarella, paneer, feta, halloumi and mature cheddar can cover many Q cheese recipes.
• Grate and freeze hard cheese: Firm cheeses can often be grated and frozen for cooking, although texture may change.
• Plan two meals: If you buy a specialist cheese for tacos, use the rest in omelettes, jacket potatoes or salads.
• Visit world food shops: Latin American, Portuguese, Brazilian and Eastern European shops may have better prices than premium delis.

Easy Substitutes for Hard-to-Find Q Cheeses

Food Safety and Storage Tips

Cheese storage depends on the style. Always follow the use-by date and storage instructions on the pack, especially with fresh cheeses.

• Keep cheese refrigerated, ideally at 5°C or below.
• Wrap hard and semi-hard cheeses well once opened to stop them drying out.
• Store fresh cheeses such as quark, queso fresco and soft queijo varieties in sealed containers.
• Do not eat cheese that smells unpleasant in a way that is not normal for that cheese, has unexpected mould, or has changed texture dramatically.
• If you are pregnant, immunocompromised or serving young children or elderly people, check NHS and Food Standards Agency guidance and choose cheeses that are suitable for your needs.

Hard cheeses usually last longer than fresh cheeses, so they can be better value if you cook for one or shop less often. Fresh cheeses are best planned into meals quickly to avoid waste.

Best Q Cheeses for Different Meals

Best for melting

• Queso Oaxaca
• Queso Chihuahua
• Queso Asadero
• Queso Tetilla

Best for crumbling

• Queso Fresco
• Queso Cotija
• Quartirolo Lombardo
• Queso Blanco

Best for cheeseboards

• Queso Manchego
• Queijo Serra da Estrela
• Queijo de Azeitão
• Queijo São Jorge
• Quader de Cavra

Best for budget cooking

• Quark
• Queso-style dishes made with mozzarella
• Paneer as a swap for Queso Blanco
• Halloumi as a swap for Queijo Coalho

FAQs About Cheeses That Start With Q

What cheese starts with the letter Q?

Quark is the most common cheese starting with Q in UK supermarkets. Other examples include Quargel, Quartirolo Lombardo, Queso Fresco, Queso Oaxaca, Queso Manchego, Queijo Serra da Estrela and Queijo Coalho.

Is quark actually a cheese?

Yes, quark is generally classed as a fresh cheese, although it is often sold near yoghurt and soft dairy products. It has a mild tang and a soft, spoonable texture.

What does queso mean?

Queso means cheese in Spanish. That is why many Spanish and Mexican cheese names begin with queso, such as Queso Fresco, Queso Oaxaca and Queso Manchego.

What does queijo mean?

Queijo means cheese in Portuguese. Portuguese and Brazilian cheeses often start with queijo, including Queijo Serra da Estrela, Queijo São Jorge, Queijo Coalho and Queijo Minas.

What is the best substitute for Queso Oaxaca?

Mozzarella is the easiest UK substitute for Queso Oaxaca because it melts well and has a stretchy texture. For more flavour, mix mozzarella with a little mild cheddar.

What is the best Q cheese for tacos?

Queso Fresco is excellent for tacos because it crumbles nicely and balances spicy fillings. Queso Cotija is better if you want a saltier, stronger topping.

Which Q cheese is best for a cheeseboard?

Queso Manchego is the easiest choice because it is widely liked and fairly easy to find. For something more special, try Queijo Serra da Estrela or Queijo de Azeitão with crusty bread.

Are Q cheeses expensive?

Some are, especially imported deli cheeses. Quark is usually affordable, while specialist cheeses such as Queijo Serra da Estrela or Quader de Cavra cost more. Using swaps such as mozzarella, paneer, halloumi and mature cheddar keeps recipes cheaper.

Can you freeze cheeses that start with Q?

Some can be frozen, but texture may change. Hard and semi-hard cheeses are usually best grated before freezing and used for cooking. Fresh cheeses such as quark may separate slightly but can still work in sauces or soups. Always freeze before the use-by date and defrost in the fridge.