Cooking Substitutions, Recalculated
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What can I use instead of parmesan?

Best substitute for 1 cup parmesan
1 cup grated Pecorino Romano
Pecorino Romano — Saltier and sharper; use a touch less.
cups
Amounts below are for 1 cup parmesan

4 substitutes for parmesan

SubstituteUse this muchNotes
Pecorino Romano1 cup grated Pecorino RomanoSaltier and sharper; use a touch less.
Grana Padano1 cup grated Grana PadanoMilder; near-identical.
Asiago1 cup grated aged AsiagoAged Asiago grates and melts similarly.
Nutritional yeast1/4 cup nutritional yeastDairy-free, savory; use less.

Parmesan is a hard, salty, nutty grating cheese. Other aged cheeses stand in 1:1, and nutritional yeast covers the vegan case.

Tips

  • Pecorino is saltier - reduce added salt in the dish.
  • Nutritional yeast adds the umami note for vegan cooking.

FAQ

Can I use Pecorino instead of Parmesan?
Yes, 1:1 - it's saltier and sharper, so adjust the salt.
Vegan Parmesan substitute?
Nutritional yeast, or a blend of it with ground cashews and salt.