Name: How To Make Ricotta Cheese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 2 cups
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 8 cups Whole Milk; 0.25 tsp Kosher Salt; 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice or White Vinegar

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How To Make Ricotta Cheese

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

How To Make Ricotta Cheese

8 cups Whole Milk

¼ tsp Kosher Salt

2 tablespoons Lemon Juice or White Vinegar

Instructions

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Instructions

Place milk in a large stockpot and stir in the salt. If you have a candy thermometer, clip it to the side of the pot to keep an eye on the temperature.

Set the milk on medium heat until it reaches 185F. Small curds should begin to form.

Stir in the lemon juice.

Reduce heat to medium-low, while maintaining the temperature of 185F for 20 minutes.

Remove milk from heat and let sit for a few minutes before straining.

Line a fine mesh sieve/strainer with cheesecloth and either pour the milk mixture into that, or transfer curds individually with a spoon. You can either discard the whey (liquid) or save a cup to store the ricotta curds in.

Nutrition

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Use Whole Milk at Room Temperature 🥛
Bring your milk to room temperature before heating to ensure even curdling and a creamier final texture, avoiding lumpy or grainy ricotta.
Monitor Temperature Precisely 🌡️
Heat milk slowly to exactly 190°F before adding acid—use a reliable thermometer to prevent overheating, which causes dry, dense cheese instead of the desired fluffy texture.
Wait for Complete Curd Formation ⏱️
After adding lemon juice or vinegar, wait a full 10 minutes without stirring to allow curds to fully set and separate from whey, resulting in better yield and texture.
Line Your Strainer with Cheesecloth 🧵
Use proper cheesecloth rather than paper towels to drain curds slowly and gently—this prevents breakage and creates a silkier, more delicate final product.
Finish with Kosher Salt While Still Warm 🧂
Add salt immediately after draining while ricotta is still warm so it dissolves evenly and seasons throughout, enhancing the natural milk flavor without clumpy salt crystals.