Unsalted cheese is a versatile choice for health-conscious shoppers and culinary enthusiasts alike. With no added salt, it allows for greater control over sodium intake and enhances meals without overpowering other flavors. Whether you’re crafting delicate desserts or savory dishes, unsalted cheese provides a fresh, creamy base that lets your ingredients shine. Discover how this simple swap can elevate your cooking and support your wellness goals.
Comparing Unsalted Cheese Types and Variations
| Cheese Type | Milk Source | Texture | Salt Added | Aging | Special Features | Taste Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unsalted Cheddar (Cow, Raw, A2/A2) | Cow (A2/A2) | Firm/Crumbly | No | 60 days–4 months | 100% Grass-Fed, Raw, Organic | Mild, creamy |
| Unsalted Cheddar (Goat, Raw) | Goat | Semi-hard | No | 60+ days | Grass & Grain Fed, GMO/Soy Free | Mild to tangy |
| French Unsalted Hard Cheese | Cow | Hard | No | Traditional | Handmade in France, Natural rind | Delicate, complex |
| Unsalted Ricotta or Mozzarella | Cow/Goat/Sheep | Soft | No | None/Minimal | Used fresh, some lactose remains | Mild, milky |
| Flavored Unsalted Cheddar (Herb/Jalapeno) | Cow (A2/A2) | Firm | No | 60 days | Natural flavors, Grass-Fed, Raw | Savory/spicy, mild |
Everyday Usage: How to Enjoy Unsalted Cheese
Unsalted cheese is remarkably versatile in everyday cooking and snacking. Here’s how you can incorporate it into your kitchen:
- Sandwiches and Melts: Use in grilled cheese, paninis, or melts where you want full cheese flavor without a salty edge.
- Scrambled Eggs and Omelets: Grate over eggs for creamy richness, controlling the overall salt in your dish.
- Cheese Platters and Snacks: Cube or slice as part of a cheese board, paired with fruits, nuts, and honey to accentuate its mild natural flavor.
- Baking and Cooking: Use in casseroles, baked dishes, quiches, or pasta bakes, where you want to regulate sodium and adapt seasoning.
- Sauces and Soups: Melt in white sauces, cheese soups, or mac and cheese, seasoning as desired.
- Safe for Infants and Low-Sodium Diets: Suitable for those limiting sodium, including young children, without sacrificing the nutritional benefits of cheese.
- Pairing with Flavors: Because of its subtlety, unsalted cheese marries especially well with robust herbs, fresh vegetables, or a drizzle of olive oil.
Benefits of Unsalted Cheese
Choosing unsalted cheese comes with a range of nutritional, culinary, and health advantages:
1. Lower Sodium for Heart Health
- No added salt—only naturally Trace sodium found in milk.
- Typically contains about 70% less sodium than regular cheeses, making it ideal for people with high blood pressure, kidney disease, or anyone following a heart-healthy diet.
2. Pure, Unaltered Flavor
- No salt masks the inherent sweetness and depth of grass-fed milk.
- Offers delicate and creamy notes, providing a true taste of traditional cheesecraft.
3. Better Digestibility
- Made using raw milk from grass-fed or pasture-raised animals. This preserves natural enzymes and beneficial bacteria, such as lactase, aiding in digestion.
- Certain unsalted cheeses, particularly those made from A2/A2 milk or goat milk, are often easier on sensitive stomachs and may be suitable for those with lactose or A1 beta-casein intolerance.
4. Nutrient Density
- Rich in vitamins A, D, E, K2, and minerals like calcium, selenium, and magnesium.
- Grass-fed varieties offer higher levels of Omega-3s and Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), supporting immune and cardiovascular health.
5. Flexibility in Cooking
- Allows you to tailor the salt and seasoning of your recipes, making it easier to manage overall sodium intake.
- Adaptable for both savory and sweet dishes, from salads to pastries.
6. Ideal for Special Diets
- Suitable for low-sodium, paleo, keto, ancestral, and clean-eating lifestyles.
- Many varieties are certified organic, non-GMO, antibiotic- and hormone-free.
How to Choose the Right Unsalted Cheese
Selecting the best unsalted cheese depends on your individual needs and preferences. Here are the key points to consider:
1. Milk Source
- Cow’s Milk: Most common; offers a familiar texture and flavor. If digestibility is a concern, look for cheeses made from A2/A2 cows.
- Goat’s Milk: Tends to be tangier, naturally lower in lactose, and often easier to digest.
- Sheep’s or Buffalo’s Milk: Rare in unsalted forms but sometimes found at specialty shops.
2. Milk Processing and Certification
- Raw vs. Pasteurized: Raw milk cheeses retain more natural enzymes and probiotics. If you want maximum nutritional benefit, opt for cheeses heated only to cow body temperature.
- Certified Organic: Ensure your cheese is organic for non-GMO, hormone-free, and antibiotic-free assurance.
- Grass-Fed: Prioritize cheeses from 100% grass-fed animals for better vitamin content, healthy fats, and improved taste.
3. Cheese Texture and Type
- Semi-hard/Hard (Cheddars, French Hard Cheeses): Ideal for grating, slicing, or snacking.
- Soft (Ricotta, Mozzarella): Best fresh, for lasagna, pizzas, or desserts.
- Age and Flavor Profiles: Cheeses aged longer will have a firmer texture and richer flavor. Young cheeses are softer, fresher, and milder.
4. Additives and Rennet
- Ingredients: Unsalted cheese should have a short ingredient list—just milk, cultures, rennet, and sometimes enzymes.
- Rennet: If you have dietary restrictions, check if animal or microbial rennet is used.
- Add-Ons: For variety, consider unsalted cheeses with herbs, spices, or other natural flavorings.
5. Sourcing and Labels
- Look for transparent sourcing: small family farms, farmstead, or artisan makers with clear practices.
- Certifications like “A2/A2,” “USDA Organic,” or “GMO-Free” can ensure both quality and traceability.
6. Intended Use
- Cooking or Table Use: Hard and semi-hard varieties are more versatile for all-around use.
- Dietary Needs: Go with extra-aged or A2/A2 goat/cow cheese if you’re sensitive to lactose or milk proteins.
User Tips and Best Practices
Take these tips into consideration to maximize enjoyment and success with unsalted cheese:
- Taste Expectations: Unsalted cheese will be milder, and for some, less vibrant than salted varieties. This allows you to adjust seasoning and flavors to your taste.
- Storage: Keep unsalted cheese well-wrapped in wax paper or parchment, then in a loosely sealed bag in the fridge. It may be slightly more perishable due to lack of salt, so use within 5–10 days after opening.
- Serving: Let cheese come to room temperature before serving for optimal texture and flavor development.
- Cooking Adaptation: Add salt or seasoning as needed when incorporating into recipes. Taste as you go!
- Freezing: Most hard/semi-hard unsalted cheeses can be frozen, but may become crumblier.
- Pairing Suggestions: Complement with strong-flavored partners: sun-dried tomatoes, roasted peppers, dark greens, sweet jams, or zesty fruits.
- Bulk Buying: Take advantage of bulk options if using cheese often or for meal prep, but portion and freeze what you won’t use within a week.
- Special Diets: Always confirm ingredient lists and certifications if you have allergies or dietary restrictions.
Comparing Technical Features and Specifications
| Brand/Maker | Milk Type | Source Animals | Processing | Certifications | Rennet Used | Sodium/oz | Texture | Aging | Notable Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swiss Villa (Cow Cheddar) | Raw, A2/A2 | 100% Grass-Fed Cows | Unpasteurized | Organic | Animal | ~60–70 mg | Semi-hard | 60 days | High vitamins, easier digestion |
| Swiss Villa (Goat Cheddar) | Raw | Grass/Grain Goats | Unpasteurized | GMO/Soy Free | Animal | ~60–70 mg | Semi-hard | 60 days | Capric acid, CLA, lower lactose |
| Simply Grassfed | Raw, A2/A2 | Grass-Fed Jersey | Unpasteurized | Organic | Animal/Microbial | ~10 mg | Crumbly/Firm | 2–4 months | 100% A2 protein, no antibiotics |
| The Family Cow | Raw | Grass-Fed Jersey | 102°F Max. | Organic Practices | Animal | Not listed | Firm | Not listed | Omega-3s, CLAs, probiotic-rich |
| Healthfully (French Pyrenees) | Raw | Grass-Fed Cow | 36–39.5°C | Certified Raw | Not listed | Not listed | Hard | Traditional | Natural rind, handmade, no wax |
| Northstar Bison | Raw, A2A2 | Grass-Fed Cows | Unpasteurized | A2A2, Grass-Fed | Veal | ~10 mg | Unspecified | Traditional | Small-farm, authentic, no preservatives |
Related Video
Conclusion
Unsalted cheese is a clean, health-conscious alternative to traditional cheeses. Its pure, nuanced, and creamy taste is a blank canvas for your culinary imagination. With a focus on high-quality, raw, grass-fed, and often organic sources, these cheeses not only support better health—thanks to lower sodium, intact nutrients, and friendly bacteria—but also connect you with the essence of real, traditional cheese making.
Whether you prefer cow, goat, or imported French cheeses, today’s market offers an unsalted cheese to fit every palate and dietary need. Knowing how to shop, store, and use unsalted cheese will help you make informed, satisfying, and healthy choices, enriching your meals and supporting your wellness goals.
FAQ
What is unsalted cheese?
Unsalted cheese is cheese made without added salt during the cheesemaking process. It contains only the naturally occurring sodium present in milk.
Who should eat unsalted cheese?
Anyone looking to lower their sodium intake, people with high blood pressure, those on low-sodium or heart-healthy diets, infants, pregnant women, and anyone who wants more control over seasoning in their meals.
Does unsalted cheese taste different from regular cheese?
Yes. Unsalted cheese tastes milder and allows the natural flavors of the milk to stand out. It may be less tangy, but it has a creamy, delicate profile.
Is unsalted cheese less nutritious than salted cheese?
No. Unsalted cheese retains all the nutritional benefits of cheese—like calcium, protein, and vitamins—without the added sodium. Many unsalted cheeses are raw, offering intact enzymes and beneficial bacteria.
How do I cook with unsalted cheese?
Use unsalted cheese exactly as you would regular cheese, but be sure to taste and season your dishes as you go. It’s excellent in recipes where you want to control the salt level.
Can I freeze unsalted cheese?
You can freeze hard or semi-hard unsalted cheese. Note that it may develop a more crumbly texture after freezing, but flavor and nutrition are preserved.
How long does unsalted cheese last?
Unsalted cheese is slightly more perishable than salted varieties because salt acts as a preservative. Typically, unopened, well-wrapped hard cheese lasts 2–3 weeks in the refrigerator. For opened cheese, consume within 5–10 days.
Is unsalted cheese safe for people with lactose intolerance?
Aged unsalted cheeses (especially from goat or A2/A2 cow milk) often contain less lactose and may be easier to digest. However, tolerance can vary; always try a small amount first if you’re sensitive.
Are there flavored options for unsalted cheese?
Yes. Some unsalted cheeses come with added natural flavors like herbs, garlic, or jalapeno for extra variety and sensory enjoyment without added salt.
Where can I buy unsalted cheese?
You can find unsalted cheese at artisan cheese shops, health food stores, farmers markets, some major grocery chains, and especially online. Look for reputable producers who specialize in organic, grass-fed, or raw varieties for best results.