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How to Make Feta Cheese

comments (11) July 9th, 2009 in Blogs     
FC_Editors Fine Cooking Editors, editor
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Video Length: 15:41
Produced by: Sarah Breckenridge; videography and editing by Gary Junken and Mike Dobsevage

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Nothing compares to the fresh taste and texture of homemade feta. You may be surprised at how easy it is to make your own cheese. In this Fine Cooking Culinary School video, test kitchen contributor Nicki Sizemore demonstrates all the steps of making your own feta, from sanitizing your tools and making the curds to draining the whey and salting and brining the cheese. She also walks you through the special ingredients you'll need for any cheesemaking.

Get the full homemade feta recipe here. Though the technique is simple, you do need to pay close attention the temperature of your curds and whey. Need to recalibrate your thermometer? Click here for tips on how to do it.

Looking for a way to show off your homemade feta? Try it in one of these inspired recipes:

      
 Feta & Dill Galette    Greek Salad Skewers   Grilled Watermelon Salad

posted in: Blogs, cheese, Videos, cheesemaking, feta
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Comments (11)

elladha writes: I interesin for home made feta but whuere too get the the renet the calcium cloriate and the therd which is for the teste, please help me too get dhe way for this 3 Posted: 4:02 pm on February 1st

KellyJohnson writes: Okay,I tried to make feta tonight. Did everything to the tee. I added the rennet, calcium chloride, and lipase stirred for a minute brought it to 96 degrees. I let in sit, checked it at one hour, 2 hours, and 3 hours and I never achieved the clean break. My question is I used Vitamin D Milk, could this have prevented the curd from forming properly? If not what can be some possible causes? Help!! Posted: 9:19 pm on August 23rd

CRRB writes: Been looking for cheese making recipes for quite some time, I was delighted and really looking forward to trying this recipe! Posted: 10:09 am on July 29th

kkwink writes: I purchased the rennet and other ingredients from www.cheesemaking.com. It came in within three days. I am adding the brine to my cheese tonight. Can't wait to try it in a few weeks! Posted: 8:08 pm on July 24th

elisebuck writes: Just wondering where I might get those 3 essential ingrediants?? Lipase, rennet, etc?? Posted: 12:23 pm on July 24th

JohnnyAsparagus writes: The high sodium may contribute to high blood pressure in pregnancy - restricting blood flow to the placenta, or uncomfortable edema in the ankles and hands. Posted: 7:15 am on July 24th

AuntJenny writes: If it is made from pasteurized milk, feta is COMPLETELY safe for pregnant women to eat.

It's actually pretty difficult to find raw milk and raw milk products here in the States (and they are ALWAYS labeled as such), so you're not in ANY danger from Listeria when you buy commercial feta or make your own from pasteurized milk. Posted: 12:36 pm on July 23rd

greekfoodlover writes: Hello ladies!

I am Greek and live in Greece (the country where it is traditionally made) and I can tell you that pregnant women should definitely NOT eat feta. Traditional feta is made with a mixture of ewes' and goats' milk and it is divine, especially if you can get it from the mountainous regions of Greece. Yum!

Although I love it myself, I cannot eat it because I am lactose intolerant, so it's a no-no for me. Such a shame too, because you can find all kinds here...

Ah well, health is paramount! Posted: 3:11 pm on July 22nd

sbreckenridge writes: Hi Becca,
I believe feta is usually considered a "fresh" cheese even though it's aged in brine. Store-bought feta has definitely been on the do-not-eat list of some of my pregnant friends, and I would treat homemade feta the same way. Posted: 3:21 pm on July 17th

Pielove writes: Beccaporter, I believe that to be safe for pregnant women, the cheese should be aged at least 60 days. When I was pregnant, I did eat cooked cheeses, but not raw un-aged cheeses.

That said, I'm really looking forward to trying this feta recipe! Posted: 9:09 pm on July 14th

beccaporter writes: So I have an important question, that I hope someone there will be able to answer. I absolutely love feta. However, I am pregnant. Feta is one of the unpasteurized cheeses that you are not supposed to eat, due to listeria.

This homemade feta is made with pasteurized milk. Does that mean it is safe from listeria?

Another question is: Is commercially made feta safe for me to eat if I heat it to steaming?

Thank you! Posted: 5:10 pm on July 10th

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