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Best Requeijão Cremoso| Requeijão (Brazilian Cream Cheese)

Requeijão Cremoso, or simply Requeijão, is the Brazilian cream cheese made with just 4 ingredients at home without any preservatives or addition of starch. It is super creamy and delicious and you can add to many recipes such as this macarronada com requeijão (Brazilian mac and cheese). .

Prep Time
8 mins
Cook Time
8 mins
Total Time
18 mins
Servings: 2 cups
Calories: 683 kcal
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Brazilian

Ingredients

  • 2 quarts whole milk or 2% milk for a light version
  • 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or white vinegar (If using white vinegar, make sure to rinse the curds under running water before pressing them to remove excess liquid)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella OPTIONAL

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Reserve about ½ to ⅔ cup of milk. In a large saucepan, bring the remaining milk to a boil over medium-high heat. Then, turn off the heat and stir in the vinegar. Once curds form, ladle the content of the pan into a strainer placed over a large bowl, wash curds well with running water (to eliminate the white vinegar sour taste), and press down on the strained curds with a large spoon to eliminate any excess liquid. Only curds (not liquid) should be in the strainer. This is key to NOT make your requeijão watery!
  2. In a blender, blend together curds, butter, salt, cheese (optional), and some of the reserved milk (add little by little or as much as needed to get a creamy consistency. The milk must be cold if the curds are cold or warm if the curds are still warm) for about 2 to 3 minutes on high speed or until mixture is very creamy and smooth. NOTE: For a softer consistency, add a bit more milk. If you are adding mozzarella, you will need more of the reserved milk.
  3. Gently pour homemade cream cheese into sterilized and dried glass jar(s) or container(s) with a tight lid(s). Store in the fridge for at least 4 hours before using as a spread for toast.

Notes

  • Both the taste and texture of this homemade Brazilian cream cheese (called requeijão caseiro in Portuguese) are similar to the one sold under the brand Tirolez. 
  • STORAGE:
  • It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 15 days (better within 8 days).
  • What to Serve With
  • It can be used as a spread on toast or in tapioca crepes with cheese.
  • As an ingredient in pasta dishes such as macarronada (Brazilian mac and cheese).
  • In a ham and cheese baked rice (arroz de forno). 
  • As a substitute for mornay sauce in this baked cod and cauliflower mac and cheese or Mexican crema or heavy cream in this shrimp gratin, broccoli gratin, and corn gratin.
  • As a replacement for creamy ricotta in this baked zucchini casserole
  • In other casseroles such as chicken shepherd’s pie and baked kibbeh as one of the cheese layers.
  • Incorporated into stews (morangas),
  • Dolloped and stirred into mashed potatoes or mashed sweet potatoes to make them creamier.
  • As a filling for  pão de queijo or tapioca breadsticks.
  • As a companion for serving along with guava paste (Romeo e Julieta), among other uses.

Nutrition Information

Calories 683kcal (34%) Carbohydrates 45g (15%) Protein 30g (60%) Fat 42g (65%) Saturated Fat 25g (125%) Cholesterol 125mg (42%) Sodium 990mg (41%) Potassium 1253mg (36%) Sugar 48g (96%) Vitamin A 1883IU (38%) Calcium 1075mg (108%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2cups

Amount Per Serving

Calories 683

% Daily Value*

Calories 683kcal 34%
Carbohydrates 45g 15%
Protein 30g 60%
Fat 42g 65%
Saturated Fat 25g 125%
Cholesterol 125mg 42%
Sodium 990mg 41%
Potassium 1253mg 27%
Sugar 48g 96%
Vitamin A 1883IU 38%
Calcium 1075mg 108%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.