2 Ingredient Homemade Mozzarella

Who knew it was so easy?

This homemade mozzarella recipe uses simple ingredients and the traditional stretch-and-fold technique, reheating the curds in the hot whey instead of a microwave. The result is a beautifully textured, fresh mozzarella with a delicate, milky flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 gallon raw milk (if not raw, preferably not ultra-pasteurized)

• Between 1/2 cup and 3/4 cup white distilled vinegar

• 1 teaspoon salt (plus more for brining, optional)

nstructions:

1. Heat the Milk:

Pour the milk into a large pot and slowly heat it over medium-low heat until it reaches 90-95°F (32-35°C). Stir gently to prevent scorching.

2. Add Vinegar & Form Curd:

Remove the pot from heat and slowly pour in between 1/2 cup and 3/4 cup of white distilled vinegar, stirring gently for 30 seconds. Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes until curds form and the whey separates. The curds should be soft and floating in clear, yellowish whey.

3. Drain the Curd & add salt:

Use a slotted spoon to transfer the curds into a colander lined with cheesecloth. Squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Now is the time to add salt!

4. Heat the Whey for Stretching:

Return the pot with whey to the stove and heat it to 185°F (79-85°C). Keep an eye on the temperature.

5. Stretch & Fold Process:

• Submerge the curds in the hot whey for 30-60 seconds, or until they become elastic.

• Using hands or a spoon, lift and stretch the curds, folding them over themselves several times. If they cool too quickly, reheat them in the hot whey for another 30 seconds before continuing to stretch. (Be careful this gets hot!)

• Repeat until the cheese is smooth, shiny, and stretches easily.

6. Shape & Salt:

Form the mozzarella into a ball. For extra flavor, dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt in a bowl of warm water and soak the mozzarella for 10-15 minutes.

7. Chill & Store:

Place the mozzarella in cold water or an ice bath for 10 minutes to help it firm up. Store in a container with light brine or wrap tightly and refrigerate.

Serving Suggestions:

• Enjoy fresh with tomatoes, basil, and olive oil.

• Melt over pizza or pasta.

• Slice onto crusty bread with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

** Follow the instructional video on my TikTok and Instagram for visual aid.

Enjoy!