Goat cheese crumbles can replace cotija cheese in some dishes. While the flavors are not exactly the same, goat cheese can mimic certain qualities of cotija when used as a garnish or topping.

It is an unaged soft cheese, like ricotta or feta, made from cow's milk or a mixture of cow's and goat's milk. It crumbles and doesn't melt well. Cotija, on the other hand, is traditionally made ...