cotija

noun

co·​ti·​ja kō-ˈtē-hä How to pronounce cotija (audio)
variants or cotija cheese
: a hard, white, crumbly Mexican cheese made from cow's milk
Another Mexican-style cheese that's great for summer meals is cotija. Firm, white, and salty, it crumbles readily and is a grand alternative to parmesan in salads or sprinkled over vegetables.Jerry Anne Di Vecchio
… filled with a tangle of beans, Mexican sausage, crumbly cotija cheese and lettuce …Miriam Morgan

Examples of cotija in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Corn grilled over mesquite and served under a blanket of lime-chile mayonnaise and a dusting of queso cotija and cilantro, this is probably the messiest appetizer on the menu, but totally worth it for the tart, sweet-savory flavors. Felicia Campbell, The Arizona Republic, 15 Feb. 2024 It's dusted with cotija cheese and served over a bed of crisp kettle chips with a side of elote dip. Jessica Rodriguez, Journal Sentinel, 30 July 2024 Earlier this year, the CDC identified a listeria outbreak linked to queso fresco and cotija cheese that led to 23 hospitalizations and two deaths. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 26 July 2024 The fresh ribs of corn are a delightfully bright contrast against the warm brown sugar and tajin dusting, all strung together by cotija cheese. Irene Milanez, Sacramento Bee, 25 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for cotija 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Spanish (queso) Cotija, after Cotija, municipality in Michoacán, Mexico

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cotija was in 1975

Dictionary Entries Near cotija

Cite this Entry

“Cotija.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cotija. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!