Teleme cheese is a soft, creamy cheese with a mild tang and a rich, buttery finish.
Originally from California but inspired by Greek cheese-making traditions, Teleme has a smooth, spreadable consistency when young and a firmer, slightly crumbly texture as it ages.
Its mild yet slightly tangy flavor makes it a favorite for grilled cheese, cheese boards, pasta dishes, and baking.
But Teleme isn’t always easy to find. Whether your store doesn’t carry it or you need an alternative with a similar texture and flavor, there are plenty of cheeses that can take its place. Some substitutes offer a soft, creamy spreadability, while others bring a firmer texture with a tangy bite.
We’ve tested different cheeses in melting, spreading, and baking applications to find the best replacements for Teleme cheese. Whether you need a mild, melty option, a stronger, aged alternative, or even a non-dairy choice, these seven substitutes will work beautifully in your recipe.
7 Substitutes for Teleme Cheese
Each of these cheeses brings something unique. Some replicate Teleme’s buttery softness, while others provide a tangier or firmer bite that still works in most recipes.
1. Brie – The Best Soft and Creamy Substitute
Brie is one of the best alternatives to Teleme cheese, offering a similarly soft, creamy texture with a mild buttery flavor.
Brie’s bloomy rind and gooey center make it a fantastic choice for spreading on bread, melting into sauces, or using in baked dishes. Unlike Teleme, which has a more delicate tang, Brie leans toward a rich, earthy creaminess. However, for most recipes, this works well as a substitute.
If you need Brie to be even softer, let it warm to room temperature before using it in spreads or sandwiches. For baking, it melts just as smoothly as Teleme, making it a great alternative in cheese-based pasta and gratins.
Best for: Cheese boards, baked dishes, grilled cheese, and creamy sauces.
How to use: Replace Teleme with Brie in equal amounts. If you prefer a bit more tang, blend Brie with a slightly sharper cheese like Fontina.
If Brie isn’t available, check out these other useful Brie cheese substitutes.
2. Camembert – A Richer, Earthier Alternative
Camembert is a great substitute for Teleme if you need a soft cheese with a more pronounced earthy flavor.
It has a creamy, gooey interior similar to Brie but with a slightly more pungent aroma and deeper taste. If you enjoy Teleme’s mild tang but want a stronger cheese presence, Camembert is an excellent option.
Camembert melts well and spreads beautifully, making it perfect for grilled sandwiches, pasta sauces, and cheese-based dips. However, if you find its flavor too strong, blending it with a milder cheese like Havarti can help balance the taste.
Best for: Cheese boards, baked pasta, and sauces.
How to use: Swap Teleme with Camembert in equal amounts. If Camembert’s rind is too strong for your recipe, remove it before use.
For more funky cheese alternatives, check out these Camembert cheese substitutes.
3. Fontina – A Smooth-Melting Alternative
Fontina is one of the best melting substitutes for Teleme cheese, thanks to its semi-soft texture and mild, nutty flavor.
This Italian cheese is buttery and creamy, with just enough tang to complement most dishes where Teleme is used. It’s slightly firmer but still retains a rich meltability, making it perfect for pasta sauces, pizzas, and baked dishes.
If you need a softer consistency, slice Fontina and let it warm slightly before use. For a stronger, aged bite, pair it with Parmesan or Gruyère.
Best for: Melted dishes, pasta bakes, grilled cheese, and sauces.
How to use: Replace Teleme with Fontina in equal portions. If you need a milder result, blend it with Brie or Havarti.
For more melt-friendly options, check out these helpful Fontina cheese substitutes.
4. Havarti – A Mild and Buttery Replacement
Havarti is a fantastic substitute for Teleme if you need a mild, creamy cheese that melts effortlessly.
It has a high moisture content, ensuring a smooth, velvety melt in cheese-based sauces, grilled sandwiches, and baked pasta dishes. Unlike Brie or Camembert, Havarti doesn’t have a bloomy rind, making it easier to use in recipes that require a consistent texture.
If you want to add more complexity, try blending Havarti with Parmesan for a sharper, more aged taste.
Best for: Melting, grilled cheese, mac and cheese, and pasta.
How to use: Swap Teleme for Havarti in equal amounts. If you need a tangier bite, mix it with Fontina or Feta.
For more creamy cheese options, check out these Havarti cheese substitutes.
5. Limburger – A Funkier, Stronger Alternative
If you need a stronger, funkier cheese to replace Teleme, Limburger is an excellent choice.
It has a soft, spreadable texture and a bold aroma, making it ideal for cheese boards and melted dishes. While its pungent smell is more intense than Teleme’s mild tang, it still works well in recipes that need a soft, creamy cheese with a kick.
If you enjoy earthy, aged cheeses, Limburger is a great substitute for spreading or melting.
Best for: Cheese boards, grilled sandwiches, and melted cheese dishes.
How to use: Use Limburger in equal portions as a Teleme substitute. If it’s too strong, blend it with a milder cheese like Brie.
6. Queso Blanco – A Mild, Mexican Alternative
Queso Blanco is a great option if you need a fresh, mild cheese with a firm yet creamy texture.
Unlike Teleme, it doesn’t melt as well, but it’s fantastic for crumbled toppings, stuffing, or pan-frying. If your dish requires a milder cheese that holds its shape, Queso Blanco is a great alternative.
Best for: Toppings, stuffing, and pan-fried cheese dishes.
How to use: Replace Teleme with Queso Blanco in equal amounts. If you need better meltability, mix it with Havarti.
7. Saint-André – A Triple-Crème Alternative for Extra Creaminess
Saint-André is a rich, triple-cream cheese that makes a fantastic substitute for Teleme if you want a softer, more buttery option with extra decadence.
This French cheese has a high butterfat content, making it ultra-creamy and spreadable. While it lacks Teleme’s tang, it delivers a smooth, mild flavor that works well in cheese platters, baked dishes, and spreads.
If you need a cheese that melts effortlessly and adds a luxurious touch, Saint-André is a great option.
Best for: Spreads, cheese boards, baked dishes, and pasta sauces.
How to use: Replace Teleme with Saint-André in equal amounts. If you need more tang, mix it with a sharper cheese like Fontina.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brie is the closest substitute for Teleme due to its soft, creamy texture and mild buttery flavor. If you need a more tangy alternative, Camembert or Fontina are great options.
Yes, Fontina is an excellent substitute for Teleme in recipes that require melting. It has a mild, nutty flavor and a smooth consistency that works well in baked dishes and pasta sauces.
Havarti is one of the best substitutes for Teleme in grilled cheese sandwiches. It melts smoothly and has a buttery, mild flavor that complements both savory and sweet ingredients.
Yes, Camembert is a great substitute for Teleme on a cheese board. It has a rich, creamy texture and an earthy, mushroom-like taste that pairs well with bread, fruits, and nuts.
Saint-André is an excellent substitute for Teleme in baked dishes. Its high butterfat content creates a rich, smooth consistency that enhances pastries, gratins, and sauces.
