Homemade Cottage Recipe Low Carb - Instant Pot, Mealthy, GW (2024)

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This Instant Pot Homemade Cottage Cheese Recipe is so quick and easy. In under two hours, you will have delicious Homemade Cottage Cheese or Pot Cheese.

Homemade Cottage Recipe Low Carb - Instant Pot, Mealthy, GW (1)

Instant Pot Homemade Cottage Cheese Recipe

Not only can your Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker make wonderful Instant Pot Yogurt, but you can use them to make Homemade Instant Pot Cottage Cheese, Pot Cheese, Farmer Cheese and Indian Paneer as well!

Most of the major brand of Multi Cooker machines that have a yogurt button work in much of the same way.

As a kid, I hated cottage cheese. I was forced to eat cottage cheese because my parent(s) always had me on a diet.

I did, however, love pot cheese and farmer cheese, with Creamettes, sour cream and salt and pepper, which I was recently reminded. It’s a Jewish thing. In fact, I love it so much, I created a post with my beloved recipe. Check out my Pressure Cooker Lokshen Mit Kaese recipe and I bet you will love it too!

Cottage cheese was big in Weight Watcher circles and I followed Weight Watchers as a very young kid. As I got older, I actually started liking cottage cheese. In fact, one of my favorite Weight Watchers treat is a Weight Watchers “cheese danish” made with cottage cheese, cinnamon and a sugar substitute melted on top of toast.

Homemade Cottage Recipe Low Carb - Instant Pot, Mealthy, GW (2)

Cast of Ingredients for Instant Pot Homemade Cottage Cheese Recipe

With a few ingredients, you will end up with about five cups of Instant Pot Cottage Cheese.

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What Type of Milk to Use?

That my friends is up to you. Low fat, full fat, non-fat, whichever you please.

Just keep in mind that the less fat in the milk, the less dense and creamy cottage cheese.

Is it Cost Effective to Make Your Own?

It depends on the type of milk you are using. You will get a lot of whey out of the cottage cheese when straining. Since the homemade cottage cheese is super fresh, you could compare the cost to what you would spend in an organic store, which sells fresh cottage cheese.

Homemade Cottage Recipe Low Carb - Instant Pot, Mealthy, GW (3)

Pour the Milk into the Instant Pot

Is There a Low Carb Keto Option?

Yes, pretty much there is and it is simple. Substitute the milk with heavy cream

For a low carb and keto option, use heavy cream in place of milk.

Recipes Using Cottage Cheese

I love to eat a scoop of Instant Pot Homemade Cottage Cheese Recipe for breakfast, as a side dish to my Mexican Salsa Lime Chicken Omeletand my Pressure Cooker Spanish Tortillaand also on my Pressure Cooker One Pot Spaghetti Dinner.

Homemade Cottage Recipe Low Carb - Instant Pot, Mealthy, GW (4)

Push Yogurt and then Adjust

Which Lid To Use When Making Homemade Cottage Cheese?

As Instant Pot Cottage Cheese is not made under pressure, like Instant Pot Yogurt, just a glass lid is needed.

Of course, you can use the lid that came with your pot.

Homemade Cottage Recipe Low Carb - Instant Pot, Mealthy, GW (5)

The Boil Cycle is about 45 Minutes

It is easier for me to use the Instant Pot Glass Lid during theBoil Cycle, so that I can easily lift if off and Whisk the Milk.

YourInstant Pot will Beep after about 30-45 minutes, letting you know that it is ready and up to temperature.

Homemade Cottage Recipe Low Carb - Instant Pot, Mealthy, GW (6)

Give the Milk a Whisking

If you Whisk the Milk a few times during the Boil Cycle, the Milk will come up to temperature quicker.

It will also prevent any milk from sticking on the bottom.

Homemade Cottage Recipe Low Carb - Instant Pot, Mealthy, GW (7)

Take the Temperature

Because I am a perfectionist, I use a Digital Thermometerto take the temperature. It’s really not necessary, as exact temperature for this recipe is not key. 170-180 is fine.

There is a slight difference in getting up to 180, but really, not enough to worry, so if you feel like it, take the temp and get the milk up to 180.

By starting with a cool Cooking Pot ANDWhisking during the boil cycle, I can get up to temp on the first try.

By the time I snapped this picture, the temp had already come down a bit, as I was trying a different set up and almost knocked the Instant Pot off the counter.

How to Make Cottage Cheese in the Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker.

  • The milk is warmed to about 180 degrees.
  • Lemon juice or White Vinegar is carefully mixed into the milk.
  • The curds will separate with the whey.
  • Whey is drained from the curds and cream and salt is added.

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Cover and let sit for a bit

Turn off your Instant Pot or GoWise Electric Pressure Cooker and cover the Cottage Cheese.

Leave the Cottage Cheese alone for at least 30 minutes.

Homemade Cottage Recipe Low Carb - Instant Pot, Mealthy, GW (10)

Prepare your Strainer

I have several Cooking Pots, so, if I am planning on saving the Whey, I place my Strainer Basket into my extra Cooking Pot, so that I can catch the Whey.

The Whey from the Cottage Cheese will have vinegar in it, which essentially turns the Whey into a good substitute for “Buttermilk,” which is awesome!

I love to usethe substitute “Buttermilk Whey”in my Banana Bread recipes and in my Country Sourdoughrecipe.

It is also good to use in my Instant Pot Dutch Oven Crusty Bread recipe.

Homemade Cottage Recipe Low Carb - Instant Pot, Mealthy, GW (11)

Pour the Cottage Cheese into Strainer Basket

If you want to make Farmer Cheese out of this recipe, line your basket with Butter Muslin, so that you can squeeze out all the liquid.

Keep squeezing until you get out every drop. Wrap it in plastic wrap and you can shape the Farmer Cheese.

Homemade Cottage Recipe Low Carb - Instant Pot, Mealthy, GW (12)

YARKOR Tofu Press, Paneer Press, Farmer Cheese Press

Homemade Cottage Recipe Low Carb - Instant Pot, Mealthy, GW (13)Or check out this Yakor Tofu Press and easily drain the liquid. You can also use it for making Paneer, which is Indian cheese!

Cut it into cubes and you have an easy recipe for Indian paneer!

That’s it for the Farmer Cheese, Indian Paneer and tofu!

Homemade Cottage Recipe Low Carb - Instant Pot, Mealthy, GW (14)

Rinse the Strainer of Cottage Cheese under Cool Water

Using a light stream of cold water and aSpatula, carefully move around the Curds, so that the Vinegar will be removed.

For Pot Cheese – drain the liquid, but don’t squeeze it out. That’s it. Stop here. You have Pot Cheese!!

Use Pot Cheese for my Pressure Cooker Creamettes and Pot Cheese recipe.

Homemade Cottage Recipe Low Carb - Instant Pot, Mealthy, GW (15)

Mix Salt in the Cream

Addthe Salt in to the cup with the Cream and give it a good Whisk. If you want to keep your Cottage Cheese lower in fat/calories, you can use Half & Half, if you like.

Milk actually works too, but the result will not be creamy.

Homemade Cottage Recipe Low Carb - Instant Pot, Mealthy, GW (16)

Pour Cream into Cottage Cheese

Gently incorporate the Salt/Cream mixture into the Cottage Cheese, making sure not to break the Curds up too much.

For a smaller Curd, break them up more.

Homemade Cottage Recipe Low Carb - Instant Pot, Mealthy, GW (17)

Instant Pot Homemade Cottage Cheese

What a difference this Instant Pot Homemade Cottage Cheese Recipe is from store bought.

It tastes so fresh and delicious.

Try it on top of my Pressure Cooker Spaghetti Squash and Meat Sauce, for a very healthy meal.

Kitchen Equipment and Essentials

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Here is the handy printable recipe:

Homemade Cottage Recipe Low Carb - Instant Pot, Mealthy, GW (18)

Instant Pot Homemade Cottage Cheese Recipe

4.85 from 33 votes

Print Pin Save Rate

Course: Breakfast, Lunch

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 12 servings

Calories: 281kcal

Author: Jill Selkowitz

Ingredients

  • 1 Gallon Whole Milk or Heavy Cream 2% or 1%
  • 2/3 cup Distilled Vinegar or Lemon Juice
  • 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
  • 1/2 cup Heavy Cream or Half & Half more as needed

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Pour milk into Instant Pot cooking pot and cover with Glass Lid or Black IP Lid.

  • Push the Yogurt button and then the Adjust button. The display should read "Boil."

  • During the Boil cycle, remove the lid and whisk the milk a couple of times during the cycle.

  • When Beep sounds, remove lid and take temperature.. Anywhere from 170-180 degrees is fine.

  • Slowly pour in the lemon juice or vinegar and gently move around the milk. It will begin to look curdled.

  • Turn off the Instant Pot. Cover the milk with the Glass Lid and let sit for at least 30 minutes.

  • Add salt to the cream and whisk. Set aside.

  • Pour theCottage Cheeseinto a Strainer Basket lined with butter muslin, sitting inside of a Cooking Pot or other device to drain.

  • Remove Strainer Basket to sink and run a slow stream of cool water over the Strainer Basket to remove excess Vinegar.

  • Place Cottage Cheese into bowl.

  • Gently pour in the cream with the salt and incorporate.

  • Refrigerate and enjoy.

Farmer Cheese and Indian Paneer

  • Follow the exact same instructions for Cottage Cheese, but don't add any cream or salt.

  • Instead of placing the cottage cheese into a bowl after draining out the liquid, gather the ends of the butter muslin and twist. Squeeze out as much liquid with your hands as you can. The cheese will form into a ball.

  • Shape the cheese into a block.

  • Place block of cheese into Tofu/Paneer Press and lock into position.

  • Let sit in the refrigerator for at least one hour, so that more of the moisture will be removed.

  • The farmer cheese/paneer can then be cut into pieces.

Notes

Recipe inspired by Mom'sThumb.

The nutrition information below is based on using heavy cream. For those using milk, the fat content will be considerably less.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Instant Pot Homemade Cottage Cheese Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 281Calories from Fat 126

% Daily Value*

Fat 14g22%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Cholesterol 111mg37%

Sodium 79mg3%

Potassium 61mg2%

Carbohydrates 2g1%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 1196IU24%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 53mg5%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Tried this recipe?Mention @ThisOldGalCooks or tag #thisoldgalcooks!

© ThisOldGal.com - Sharing the recipe link to any of my recipes posts are both encouraged and appreciated. Unauthorized and improperly attributed or non-attributed use of this material, including screen shots, copy/paste of full recipes to any social media site, website, mobile application or service (e.g., copymethat, recipe keeper, pepper) or cookbook, without the requisite attribution or otherwise with express written permission from Jill Selkowitz is strictly prohibited. You may share a photo with a link back instead.

PIN this Instant Pot Homemade Cottage Cheese!

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Instant Pot Homemade Cottage Cheese

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Homemade Cottage Recipe Low Carb - Instant Pot, Mealthy, GW (2024)

FAQs

What can I eat with cottage cheese for weight loss? ›

Healthy ways to enjoy cottage cheese

You can cut calories and fat from your diet and promote healthy weight loss by substituting cottage cheese for other foods. Here are some suggestions: Add cottage cheese to your morning smoothie. Top cottage cheese with fresh berries, mango, or pineapple for a healthy snack.

What can I add to cottage cheese to make it taste better? ›

Granola and honey. Or Granola and maple syrup. Dried fruit. Try apricots or cranberries.

What pairs well with cottage cheese? ›

When you combine it with veggies, nuts or fruit, you get a satisfying yet healthy twist to an old favorite.
  • Avocados with Cilantro & Tomatoes. ...
  • Bananas & Pecans. ...
  • Beets & Baby Romaine. ...
  • Blackberries & Walnuts. ...
  • Blueberries & Almonds. ...
  • Figs with Pistachios & Cardamom. ...
  • Granny Smith Apples & Cinnamon. ...
  • Grapefruit with Mint & Honey.
Dec 22, 2014

What happens when you blend cottage cheese? ›

Blending cottage cheese completely transforms the original, curd-based product into a creamy, smooth texture that can be used so many different ways.

Will I lose weight if I eat cottage cheese everyday? ›

Aids in weight loss

Low in fat: Full-fat cottage cheese contains less fat than some other cheeses (4% fat versus 30% fat in cheddar), and its high protein makes it an excellent low-fat option. Provides calcium: Studies show that increasing calcium can help you lose weight when combined with a calorie-restricted diet.

Is it OK to eat low-fat cottage cheese every day? ›

This fad diet provides quick weight loss by using cottage cheese as the basis for your meals. While it is safe for most people to eat cottage cheese every day, it should not be consumed to the extent that you exclude other food groups. Also, some types of cottage cheese contain high amounts of sodium and/or sugar.

Why does cottage cheese make my stomach feel better? ›

Since it is often fermented, (a process that helps remove the cheese curds from the liquid) cottage cheese may contain “good” bacteria called probiotics. Snodgrass says probiotics are “crucial” to good digestion.

Is cottage cheese actually healthy? ›

Cottage cheese is high in protein and is an excellent source of calcium. Choosing a low-fat cottage cheese can reduce saturated fat intake when substituting it for other higher fat foods, such as cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise or ricotta cheese. It's also full of vitamins and minerals that support a healthy diet.

How to make cottage cheese taste better without adding calories? ›

Q: How do you make plain cottage cheese taste good? A: Peaches and a drizzle of honey! Or try adding some chocolate protein powder, mini chocolate chips, and some bananas. Cottage cheese as a snack is so tasty!

What is good and bad about cottage cheese? ›

He said that while most cheese, including cottage cheese, contains nutrients such as vitamins and calcium, it can also have high levels of sodium and fat, so he recommends eating it in moderation.

What are the pros and cons of eating cottage cheese? ›

The nutrients in cottage cheese may help support weight loss, muscle growth, and bone health. However, because of its high sodium content, people watching their salt intake should stick with low-sodium varieties. U.S Department of Agriculture.

Can you whip cottage cheese in a blender? ›

Yes! If you don't have a food processor you can use a high-speed blender to whip the cottage cheese. You might just have to scrape the sides down more often than if you use a food processor.

Why put pepper on cottage cheese? ›

Use of black pepper was effective in controlling the growth of microorganisms in cottage cheese.

How to season cottage cheese? ›

Savory Cottage Cheese Toppings

Give cottage cheese a drizzle of your best olive oil, flaky sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Caprese: Dice fresh tomatoes and chop basil, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic reduction, and add a dash of salt and pepper to make a "caprese" cottage cheese salad.

How do you thicken cottage cheese? ›

You can add a small amount of Greek yogurt or sour cream to the whipped cottage cheese and blend it together to thicken it up. Adding Greek yogurt can get the cottage cheese to be a lot smoother and even in consistency, making it perfect for dips and spreads.

Does cottage cheese good for weight loss? ›

Cottage cheese is a nutrient-dense addition to most diets. It is relatively low in calories, yet packed with protein, B vitamins, and other good-for-you nutrients. People interested in weight loss and muscle growth may find cottage cheese especially beneficial.

Is cottage cheese good for losing belly fat? ›

When talking of what foods help burn belly fat, cottage cheese is one that has weight loss properties. Cottage cheese is rich in protein which can improve metabolism and prevent weight gain. It is also low in calories while being packed with calcium, vitamins B, selenium, and phosphorus.

Does cottage cheese before bed burn fat? ›

According to a new study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, consuming cottage cheese before going to sleep can help you lose weight. The findings suggest that low calorie foods boost metabolism, muscles and overall wellbeing, even while you're asleep.

Is cottage cheese good for your belly? ›

Besides the reasons outlined above, cottage cheese may help with gut health. Since it is often fermented, (a process that helps remove the cheese curds from the liquid) cottage cheese may contain “good” bacteria called probiotics. Snodgrass says probiotics are “crucial” to good digestion.

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