How to Make Goats Milk Cheese With Lemon Juice

Goat cheese (or chevre cheese) is super simple to make at home, not to mention ridiculously cost-effective. Using just 3 ingredients, you can whip up a batch of customizable homemade goat's cheese ready to impress your family and friends!

Homemade goats cheese roll in a white marble

Out of all the DIYs I've done over the last few years, I think cheese-making is one of the ones that has truly revolutionized my spending habits. I honestly barely ever buy cheese at a store now because it's so easy to make batches at home that I can flavor how I want, know exactly what went into them, and this homemade goat's cheese (french chèvre – which translates to goat) is no different.

Plus, the process for making homemade cheese is FAR simpler than you may be imagining if you're a complete newbie. This creamy goat cheese uses a 'coagulation' method, which means that we combine the goat's milk with heat and acid. This then breaks down the milk into curds and whey. The curds are what we collect and drain to become our cheese – it's as simple as that!

homemade goats cheese roll with herbs on a wooden board

There's honestly no specialty equipment you even need for this method – other than cheesecloth and a thermometer (which I honestly suggest you get anyway – because they are SUCH a handy kitchen gadget for anyone wanting to make their own DIY's and even ice cream, etc.).

Why Try This Recipe

Did you know that when comparing goat's cheese to cow's milk, it is lower in fat, calories, and even cholesterol levels, while providing more calcium?

Crumbled goats cheese with herbs in a white plate

It also tends to be easier on the stomach than cow's milk/cheese, thus many people who have issues with cow's milk/cheese can eat goat's cheese.

On top of that, this homemade cheese uses just three ingredients and tastes absolutely delicious!

Ingredients You Need And Variations

Fresh goats milk: It's best to use full-fat goats milk (I used pasteurized goat milk), avoiding anything ultra-pasteurized, as it won't curdle the same way. You can use raw goats milk if you're able to source some.
Citric acid and water: This is what I decided to use as my curdling agent because I have it in my kitchen after lots of DIY-ing. However, if you're new to cheesemaking and want options that you probably already have in the house (like lemon juice, and vinegar), then check out the FAQ section for more information.
Cheese salt (kosher salt): This is a non-iodized salt perfect for cheese as the lack of iodine means that it won't inhibit the needed cultures/bacteria within the cheese. You can use sea salt as well, but only add after the cheese had curdled and drained.

Optional Ingredient Add-Ins

I love to make plain goat's cheese, and then adapt smaller portions to individual meals/uses. However, you can also flavor the entire batch. Here are a few options:

You can make a herbed goat cheese using dried herbs such as chives, thyme, rosemary, etc. Add at the same time as adding milk to distribute evenly throughout the cheese.
You could also cover the goats' cheese in fresh herbs, once molded. I like to use chives or dill. You can also use dried herbs and spice blends such as tarragon, za'atar, basil, etc.
When making logs/disks, you could also cover them in chopped nuts (raw or toasted).
For a sweet variation, drizzle with honey and, optionally, some cinnamon.

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1. Prepare the Citric acid

Start by dissolving the citric acid in the water. There's no need to heat the mixture.

Step 2. Heat The Goats milk

Pour the milk into a large saucepan and add the dissolved citric acid. Heat over medium heat gently, until you reach 85ºC/185ºF.* Then remove from heat.

*This method will differ if using lemon juice/vinegar. In that case, you only add the acid once the milk has reached this temperature and you've turned the heat off.

Step 3. Leave the milk to curdle

Set the milk aside and allow to rest, covered (with a lid or tea towel), for 10 minutes.

Goats milk doesn't curdle in the same way that cows milk does, as the curds can be fairly small and less 'formed', unlike when making ricotta. This means the mixture can still look fairly liquid after 10 minutes.

Step 4. Drain the cheese

Place cheesecloth inside a sieve and pour the milk into the cheesecloth and allow to drain for around an hour.

You can leave the sieve over a large bowl and collect the leftover whey to use in other recipes. Alternatively, you can bundle up the cheesecloth and hang it from the faucet, to drain.

Step 5. Flavor and mold it

Add your salt to the drained cheese and mix well. Now it's time to form the cheese. You can place it in a mold or roll it into a log.

To easily roll into a log, place it over a piece of beeswax wrap, plastic wrap, or wax paper and use it to roll into a log. Twist/fold in the ends to secure the cheese parcel.

Move to the fridge to chill and 'set'. Your homemade goat cheese is ready to use!

How To Serve

There are tons (and tons and tons) of ways to serve and consume goats cheese. SO much so that I couldn't possibly hope to list them all here. However, here are some of my top picks.

Roll into these Simple Rainbow Goat Cheese Rolls.
Spread over toast (whole wheat or multigrain), bagels, or even croissants.
Serve as part of a cheese platter, with crackers and this easy homemade fig jam.
Crumble over/into salads – like this Simple quinoa salad with walnuts and avocado, Blackberry spinach salad, or kale strawberry salad.
Mix into pasta sauces – like this Vegetarian One-Pot Pasta bake, including within lasagne.
Make a pizza and top with goat cheese.
Use on baked potatoes (including sweet potatoes).
Marinate in olive oil and herbs.
A goat cheese and caramelized onion tart.

Blackberry Salad with spinach and goats cheese — Spinach, blackberry, and goat cheese salad

Let me know in the comments what your favorite goat cheese recipes are.

FAQ's and Tips

How long does homemade goat cheese last?

This cheese can last between 1-2 weeks in the fridge (although, I suggest aiming to use it within a week). It's best kept with slight 'humidity', so keep in a drawer, if possible.

How do you know if goats cheese is off?

If there is any mold on your cheese then you'll have to discard the entire cheese. It will also, usually, develop an odd smell and appearance.

Can you freeze goats cheese?

Yes. It's best to freeze soon after preparing the batch, tightly wrapped, to maintain its texture and moisture content. It is best consumed within 6 months. Allow to thaw slowly in the fridge, before using.

If the texture changes upon thawing you can blend it into a creamier texture, or even add a few tablespoons of milk to it and mix well.

What can you use instead of citric acid?

You can also use simple home ingredients to help the milk curdle. This includes white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice. You'll need 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice per quart (950ml) of milk or 1/4 cup vinegar.

Why is the cheese crumbly/dry?

I've never had this issue happen. However, this could be down to heating the milk too quickly. Slow and steady is the name of the game (the same goes for stirring the milk – stir too fast and you'll have tougher cheese).

It could also be down to the amount of acid used with the milk. Goats milk changes in acid throughout the year (highest after giving birth), so this can affect the amount you need to add.

How to make the cheese softer/more spreadable?

The key to a soft and spreadable goat cheese is simply mixing it with a spoonful or two of milk or cream. Mash them together in a small bowl, and within seconds, the goat cheese will be just softened enough to be spreadable.

How to make whipped goats cheese?

If you do find the cheese too crumbly, you can whip it into a spreadable, creamy consistency. Simply combine goats cheese and cream cheese 2:1 ratio in a blender. You can even add extra ingredients such as garlic, red pepper flakes, herbs, etc.

Can I get rid of some of the excess 'tangy'/acid flavor?

Yes, sure can! I like tangy goat cheese – but to reduce the tangy flavor, lightly rinse the cheese curds gently with some cold water before leaving to drain and it will wash away some of the 'tang' from the acid.

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If you give this recipe a go, then let me know your thoughts in the comments. Also, feel free to tag me in your recreations @AlphaFoodie.

Goat Cheese Square Photo

▢ 8⅓ cups fresh goats milk
▢ ½ cup water
▢ 1.5 tsp citric acid OR 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice of milk or 1/2 cup vinegar. (no water needed if using lemon/vinegar)
▢ 1 tsp cheese salt (kosher salt)

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large saucepan
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Thermometer
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beeswax wrap or cling film