--- title: "Cheesecloth: what it means in cooking — Tiny Plates" description: "Cheesecloth is a loose cotton gauze for straining stock, draining yogurt and cheese, and tying herb bundles. Here is how to use it and what to use instead." url: "https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/cheesecloth" --- # Cheesecloth Cheesecloth is a loose cotton gauze for straining stock, draining yogurt and cheese, and tying herb bundles. Here is how to use it and what to use instead. Also called Muslin, Butter muslin, Cheese cloth. Cheesecloth is a thin, loosely woven cotton gauze. It was first made for draining curds in cheesemaking, which gives it its name. In the kitchen it works as a very fine, flexible filter and as a wrap for herbs and spices. In the UK the same cloth is usually sold as muslin or butter muslin. ## How to use it * **Clear stock.** Line a [sieve](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/sieve) with two or three layers of damp cheesecloth and pour [stock](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/stock) through it to catch fine bits. * **Make soft cheese and thick yogurt.** Pour curds or yogurt into a cloth-lined sieve set over a bowl and leave in the fridge. Homemade [ricotta](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/ricotta) drains in 10 to 30 minutes. Yogurt thickens into labneh overnight. * **Squeeze out water.** Wrap grated zucchini, cooked spinach or nut milk pulp in the cloth and twist it tight. * **Hold herbs and spices.** Tie whole spices into a small bundle to make a [sachet d'épices](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/sachet-depices), so you can lift it out of a stew or pickle brine. * **Baste a turkey.** Some cooks soak a cloth in melted butter and lay it over the breast while it roasts. Always wet the cloth and wring it out before straining. Dry cloth soaks up liquid you want to keep. ## Substitutes A clean, thin cotton dish towel, a flour sack towel, a coffee filter for small amounts of liquid, or a fine-mesh [chinois](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/chinois). Avoid towels washed with scented fabric softener, which can pass the smell to food. ## How to store it Good cheesecloth can be reused. Rinse it in cold water first to remove proteins, then wash in hot water without fabric softener, and dry it fully. Throw it away once it is stained, torn or smells off. ## Common mistakes * Using a single layer of the loosest grade. Fine bits pass straight through. Fold it over or buy a tighter weave. * Squeezing yogurt or cheese hard. It pushes solids through and makes the liquid cloudy. * Letting the cloth hang into the liquid below. It wicks the drained whey back up. ## In recipes "Strain through cheesecloth" means pour through a sieve lined with damp cloth. "Wrap in cheesecloth" usually means tie spices or herbs into a bundle. ## Recipes made with it 5 recipes from the sites we collect. * [![](https://www.onceuponachef.com/images/2023/09/labneh-7.jpg)Labnehwww.onceuponachef.com · 20 min](https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/labneh.html) * [![](https://minimalistbaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Date-Sweetened-Horchata-minimalistbaker.com_-square.jpg)Date-Sweetened Horchataminimalistbaker.com · 140 min](https://minimalistbaker.com/date-sweetened-horchata/) * [![](https://minimalistbaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/DIY-CHocolate-almond-milk-SQUARE.jpg)Super Thick DIY Chocolate Almond Milkminimalistbaker.com · 31 min](https://minimalistbaker.com/super-thick-diy-chocolate-almond-milk/) * [![](https://pinchofyum.com/tachyon/Real-Strawberry-Lemonade-with-Ice.jpg?fit=225%2C225)Real Strawberry Lemonadepinchofyum.com · 10 min](https://pinchofyum.com/real-strawberry-lemonade) * [![](https://minimalistbaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Dill-Garlic-Vegan-Cheese-SQUARE.jpg)Easy Garlic & Herb Vegan Cheeseminimalistbaker.com · 1500 min](https://minimalistbaker.com/garlic-herb-vegan-cheese/) ## Related terms * [SieveA sieve is a bowl of wire mesh with a handle for straining liquids, sifting flour and pressing food smooth. Here is how to use one and pick the right mesh.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/sieve) * [RicottaRicotta is a soft, mild Italian fresh cheese with a light, grainy texture. Use it in lasagna, pasta fillings, pancakes and cakes, or make your own.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/ricotta) * [StockStock is an unsalted liquid made by simmering bones, vegetables and aromatics in water for hours. It is the base of soups, sauces, gravy and risotto.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/stock) * [Bouquet garniA bouquet garni is a small bundle of herbs, usually thyme, bay leaf and parsley stems, tied together to flavor stocks, soups and stews, then removed.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/bouquet-garni) * [Sachet d'épicesA sachet d'épices is a small cheesecloth bag of herbs and whole spices, tied shut and simmered in stock or soup, then lifted out before serving.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/sachet-depices) * [ChinoisA chinois is a cone-shaped sieve with very fine mesh that strains sauces, soups and custards until silky. Here is how to use one.](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/chinois) [More in equipment](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary/category/equipment)[Every term from A to Z](https://www.tinyplates.dev/glossary)