Discover the joy of making your own homemade chèvre. Learn to season, store, and enjoy homemade goat cheese. Perfect for beginners!
With a small herd of Nigerian dwarf goats, my family will never be free from purchasing fluid milk. But we didn’t get these little girls for the milk. Nope. We bought them for their butterfat. Nigerians are cheese goats.
I only milk my small herd once a day, so I hoard milk in the freezer and make my cheese, butter, and cajeta (Mexican caramel) one quart at a time.
I love making chèvre at home because it is so easy and gives me such a great sense of accomplishment when I make something unique from scratch. Beginners and experts alike can use this recipe to make delicious homemade cheese. It has a process that is easy to follow and does not have to be followed exactly. Simple techniques and the fun of adding personal touches with seasoning are what make this chèvre recipe stand out. It is a favorite in my kitchen because it can be used for many things.
Start with Good Milk
The key to tasty cheese is good milk. There are some tricks to making sure you have the best-tasting goat’s milk. That includes having the right equipment and using a good teat wash. Cleanliness during the milk handling process is essential.
The Basics of Starting Chèvre
Chèvre is the easiest cheese in the world to make, and it’s very forgiving. Perfect for a novice. To begin, I bought a 5-packet starter culture from everyone’s favorite, New England Cheesemaking Supply Co. This is also where I got my little basket mold and butter muslin for draining, but you could improvise these materials with a colander and a clean cotton pillowcase.
One packet sets a gallon of milk, so I use about 1/16th of a teaspoon of powder for a quart of milk and mark it off on the packet itself so I know when to buy more. You can store the culture in the freezer for up to two years.
To start, pour your milk into a stainless steel pot and heat it up to around 80°F. The packet recommends 86°F, but again, this is a forgiving process, and we’re just aiming for room temperature. Our milk is raw, so I don’t want to cook out any of the goodness. If you are lucky enough to be using fresh milk straight from the goat, you’ll need to let it cool to the correct temperature.
Next, sprinkle your powdered starter over the milk and let it sit for two minutes to rehydrate. Then you’ll stir the culture throughout the milk. I use a whisk for this, but not the actual “whisking” motion. Now put a lid on the pan and wait. Time is the biggest ingredient when making fresh cheese.
Creating Curds & Whey
If you start the cheese in the morning, let it sit in the pot undisturbed until the next morning. Personally, I do this bit at night and spend my waiting time sleeping.
And back to cheese!
After 12 (or even 24) hours, you should see a snow-colored solid mass of curds when you tilt the pan and pour off the yellow whey. Our cats and chickens LOVE cheese days, as they get the castoffs.
Scoop the lovely curds into a muslin-lined plastic cheese mold to drain. I let my cheese drain for about 6 hours. I prefer a wetter chèvre, but if you want a thicker, dryer cheese, let it drain longer.
Tip: No matter what you read anywhere else, don’t start this process in the morning and then drain the cheese overnight. It is too long; you won’t be there to check on it, and that is how you end up feeding rubbery cheese to your cats. Ask me how I know. The initial 12-hour “waiting in the pot” process can be stretched out to 24 hours without any issues.
Seasoning Your Chèvre
Once your cheese has reached your preferred consistency, put it in a bowl for seasoning. I usually use a serving fork to blend my chèvre with Kosher salt to taste, and I like to add some fresh, chopped thyme.
Other Seasoning Blends That Are Sure to Delight
Here are some seasoning variations for your chèvre that can cater to a variety of tastes and occasions:
- Herbal Infusion: Mix in fresh or dried rosemary, dill, or basil for an aromatic flair.
- Savory Delight: Incorporate crushed garlic, finely chopped olives, or sundried tomatoes for a robust taste.
- Sweet and Spicy: Blend in a dash of honey with cracked black pepper or finely chopped chili peppers for a sweet heat.
- Fruity Twist: Add finely chopped dried cranberries or figs with a sprinkle of lemon zest for a sweet and tangy combination.
- Nutty Blend: Stir in crushed walnuts or pecans with a drizzle of maple syrup for a crunchy texture.
- Garden Fresh: Combine finely chopped fresh chives, parsley, or cilantro for a burst of freshness.
- Rich and Earthy: Mix in a small amount of truffle oil or finely grated truffle for a luxurious flavor.
Each of these variations can create a unique chèvre experience, perfect for spreading on crackers, incorporating into salads, or simply enjoying on its own.
Once the cheese is seasoned, you can roll it into a log using plastic wrap and refrigerate, or you can use my ghetto method (there goes fancy) and smash it into a small plastic storage container. Hit it against the counter a few times to release any air bubbles, and then put the lid on and refrigerate for an hour or two.
Storing Your Cheese
Once your chèvre has been seasoned to perfection and reached your desired consistency, it’s important to store it correctly to maintain its freshness and flavor. For immediate use, you can roll it into a log with plastic wrap and refrigerate, or opt for a more straightforward approach by pressing it into a small plastic storage container to eliminate air pockets before refrigerating. This method ensures the cheese stays fresh and retains its delightful texture for up to a week, allowing you to enjoy the creamy goodness on demand.
Ways to Enjoy Chèvre
Chèvre, with its creamy texture and mild yet tangy flavor, is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in numerous ways across a variety of dishes. Here are a few delightful methods to savor this homemade cheese:
- As a Spread: Enjoy it simply on a slice of crusty bread, crackers, or baguette, perhaps with a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of herbs for extra flavor.
- In Salads: Crumble your chèvre over fresh green salads. It pairs beautifully with vinaigrette dressings, nuts, and dried fruits.
- Stuffed in Vegetables: Use it as a filling for cherry tomatoes, bell pepper slices, or mushroom caps for a delicious appetizer.
- In Pasta Dishes: Melt it into pasta sauces or sprinkle over the top of your finished dish for a creamy texture and a boost of flavor.
- With Eggs: Incorporate it into scrambled eggs, omelets, or quiches for a breakfast or brunch with a gourmet touch.
- On Pizza: Dot it over your pizza before baking for a creamy and tangy addition that complements any toppings.
- In Baked Goods: Mix it into batter for savory scones, muffins, or bread for a moist and flavorful result.
- As a Dessert Feature: Pair it with sweet fruits like figs, pears, or berries, perhaps with a drizzle of honey or balsamic reduction, for an elegant dessert.
These are just a few ideas to get started, but the beauty of chèvre is its adaptability to both savory and sweet companions, making it a delightful addition to any meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use pasteurized milk to make chèvre. However, it’s important to avoid ultra-pasteurized milk, as the high-temperature process alters the milk proteins, making it difficult for the milk to set into curds properly.
Over-drained chèvre can become too dry and crumbly. Ideally, you’re looking for a balance where the cheese is firm enough to hold its shape but still creamy. If it feels too dry, next time reduce the draining time, or you can mix a little whey back into the cheese to achieve your desired consistency.
While most flavorings are added after the cheese has drained and reached its desired consistency, some flavors can be introduced during the curdling process. For example, herbs or edible flowers can be added to the milk after the culture, but do so sparingly as they can interfere with the curd formation.
There could be several reasons why your chèvre didn’t set properly: the milk might have been too cold or too hot when adding the culture, the culture could be old or not stored properly, or the milk could have been ultra-pasteurized. Ensure your milk is at the right temperature, use fresh culture stored correctly, and always check your milk’s pasteurization level.
To delve deeper into the joys of turning milk into delicious goodness, don’t miss my post on How to Turn Raw Milk into Butter Using 4 Methods. This guide will take you through the rewarding process of transforming raw milk directly from the source into a delightful spread that enhances any homemade dish.
If you’ve found value in this blog post and enjoyed reading it, why not share it with your Pinterest community? Pin the image below and spread the love!
Embarking on the journey of making your own chèvre is not only rewarding but also a delightful introduction to the world of cheese-making. With simple steps, essential tips on seasoning and storage, and a touch of personal flair, you can transform milk into a culinary masterpiece to share and enjoy.
What are your favorite flavors or herbs to add to homemade chèvre, and do you have any special tips or experiences to share from your cheese-making adventures?
Happy cheese-making!
Ready to embark on a homesteading adventure?
Sign up for our newsletter and join a community of like-minded enthusiasts. Get exclusive tips, inspiring stories, and the latest updates delivered straight to your inbox.Plus, 10% off digital products in the farm store!
Enter your email and select the categories that interest you.
