How to Make Ricotta

How to Make Homemade Ricotta in a white bowl

With only three ingredients, you will be able to make creamy homemade ricotta in less than an hour.

Print Save Pin Add to Collection

Course: Appetizer

Keyword: Homemade, Ricotta

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 25

Total Time: 35

Servings: Servings

Calories: 1181kcal

Author: S Jones

Equipment

Large Saucepan with Lid
Wooden spoon
Slotted Ladle
Large Bowl or Ricotta Basket
Fine Mesh Strainer
Cheesecloth
Colander

Ingredients

8 Cups Full Cream Milk
1/4 tsp Salt
2 TBSP Lemon Juice or White Vinegar

Instructions

First, you will need to line your bowl or ricotta basket. To do this, grab a large piece of lightly dampened cheesecloth and fold it over itself 3 to 4 times.
Place the cheesecloth in the colander and the colander in the bowl. If you have a ricotta basket, you can use that instead. Set this aside while making the cheese.
Place the milk in a large saucepan and stir in the salt. If you have a candy thermometer, clip it to the side of the pot to help you keep an eye on the temperature.
Over medium heat, heat the milk until it reaches 85˚C or 185˚F. Small curds should begin to form. Make sure to stir the mixture occasionally with a wooden spoon.
If you don't have a thermometer, heat the milk until it reaches a stage where there is a lot of steam, and little bubbles are forming close to the edge of the pot. A slight film will appear over the milk as well. Usually, it takes around 20 minutes to get to this stage.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the lemon juice. The mixture should immediately begin to curdle. Stir it twice and turn off the heat. Allow the saucepan to stand on the burner for 10 minutes.
Ladle the ricotta from the saucepan into the prepared cheesecloth-lined colander.
Drain over the bowl at room temperature. The consistency of the ricotta depends on the time it is left to drain. For a light, fluffy ricotta, drain for around 10 to 15 minutes. For a drier and firmer ricotta, strain for longer. The consistency you desire is up to you.
When finished draining, use right away, or transfer to an air-tight container and place in the fridge.

Tried this recipe?Check out Share a pic on Instagram!

Nutrition

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. The values may vary according to the ingredients and tools that are used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed information.