7 Best Hoop Cheese Substitutes for a Mild, Old-Fashioned Flavor

Hoop cheese is a traditional Southern cheese made from cow’s milk, known for its firm texture, mild flavor, and slight tang.

It’s an unaged cheese, often sold in red or black wax wheels, and has a smooth, creamy consistency when fresh but becomes drier and crumblier as it ages. It’s a favorite in biscuits, grits, mac and cheese, and classic Southern recipes.

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But hoop cheese isn’t as widely available as it used to be. If your recipe calls for it, you’ll need a substitute that captures its mild, slightly salty taste and firm yet creamy texture. Some alternatives focus on its fresh, smooth consistency, while others provide a sharper, drier bite that works in sliced or shredded applications.

We’ve tested different cheeses in melting, slicing, and grating applications to find the best replacements for hoop cheese. Whether you need a creamy, mild cheese, a firmer option, or even a sharper aged substitute, these seven choices will keep your dish authentic and delicious.

7 Substitutes for Hoop Cheese

Each substitute brings something unique. Some mimic Hoop cheese’s fresh, creamy texture, while others provide a more aged, nutty flavor that still works in most recipes.

1. Mild Cheddar

Mild cheddar is one of the best substitutes for hoop cheese, offering a similar firm texture and mild, slightly tangy flavor.

It has a smooth consistency when fresh but becomes more crumbly as it ages, making it a great alternative in both sliced and shredded applications. Like hoop cheese, mild cheddar melts well, making it ideal for biscuits, mac and cheese, and grits.

Best for: Cheese biscuits, grits, sandwiches, and mac and cheese.

How to use: Replace hoop cheese with mild cheddar in equal portions. If you need a fresher, softer version, blend it with Monterey Jack.

For more cheddar alternatives, check out these Cheddar cheese substitutes.

2. Monterey Jack

Monterey Jack is a great substitute for hoop cheese if you need a soft, creamy cheese with a neutral taste.

It has a high moisture content, ensuring a smooth melt, making it perfect for grilled cheese, cheese sauces, and biscuits. While Monterey Jack lacks hoop cheese’s slight tang, it provides a mild, buttery flavor that works well in most Southern recipes.

Best for: Biscuits, mac and cheese, casseroles, and melting applications.

How to use: Swap hoop cheese for Monterey Jack in equal portions. If you need more tang, mix it with sharp cheddar.

For more creamy cheese options, check out these Monterey Jack cheese substitutes.

3. Colby Cheese

Colby cheese is a good replacement for hoop cheese if you’re looking for a firm, mild cheese that slices well and has a slightly creamy consistency.

It’s slightly softer and moister than cheddar, making it ideal for sandwiches, cheese platters, and baked dishes. It doesn’t have the sharpness of aged cheddar, but its smooth, mild taste makes it an excellent all-purpose hoop cheese substitute.

Best for: Sandwiches, cheese plates, and melting applications.

How to use: Replace hoop cheese with Colby in equal portions. If you need a firmer texture, blend it with mild cheddar.

For more Colby alternatives, check out these Colby cheese substitutes.

4. Farmer’s Cheese

Farmer’s cheese is a close match for fresh hoop cheese, offering a mild flavor and a slightly drier, crumbly texture.

It’s less firm than cheddar but still works well for slicing, crumbling over dishes, and stuffing into biscuits. It has a slight tang that complements Southern dishes without overpowering them.

Best for: Biscuits, crumbled cheese toppings, and cooking applications.

How to use: Use Farmer’s cheese in equal amounts as a hoop cheese substitute. If it’s too crumbly, blend it with Monterey Jack for a creamier consistency.

5. Queso Fresco

Queso Fresco is a great option if you need a fresh, mild cheese that holds its shape well.

Unlike hoop cheese, it doesn’t melt as smoothly, but it’s fantastic for crumbled toppings, stuffing, or pan-frying. If your dish requires a fresher cheese with a soft yet slightly firm consistency, Queso Fresco is a great alternative.

Best for: Toppings, stuffing, and crumbled cheese applications.

How to use: Replace hoop cheese with Queso Fresco in equal amounts. If you need better meltability, mix it with Monterey Jack.

For more fresh cheese alternatives, check out these Queso Fresco substitutes.

6. Muenster Cheese

Muenster is an excellent substitute for hoop cheese if you want a soft cheese that melts smoothly while maintaining a mild flavor.

It has a buttery, slightly tangy taste and a semi-soft consistency, making it great for grilled cheese, baked dishes, and mac and cheese. While it lacks the firmer texture of aged hoop cheese, it provides a wonderful creaminess when melted.

Best for: Melting applications, sandwiches, and mac and cheese.

How to use: Use Muenster in equal portions as a hoop cheese substitute. If you need a firmer texture, mix it with mild cheddar.

For more melt-friendly options, check out these Muenster cheese substitutes.

7. Dry Jack

If you need a drier, firmer cheese to replace aged hoop cheese, Dry Jack is a fantastic option.

It has a nutty, slightly salty taste with a firm, crumbly texture, making it perfect for grating, slicing, and baking applications. Unlike fresh hoop cheese, it doesn’t melt as well, but it works great for recipes that need a firmer, more aged cheese.

Best for: Cheese grating, slicing, and aged cheese applications.

How to use: Replace hoop cheese with Dry Jack in equal portions. If you need a softer texture, mix it with Monterey Jack.