Parmesan vs Pecorino Romano

A side-by-side guide to substituting Pecorino Romano for Parmesan (or vice versa).

Quick answer

Use 1 oz of Pecorino Romano for every 1 cup of Parmesan.

Side-by-side

Parmesan

Base unit: cup

Read the full guide: Parmesan

Pecorino Romano

Conversion: 1:1 by volume — 1 oz per 1 cup

Tags: common

Notes: Pecorino romano is saltier and sharper than parmesan; use slightly less or adjust salt in recipe. Both are hard Italian cheeses suitable for grating.

Read the full guide: Pecorino Romano

Calculate the exact swap for your recipe in seconds.

Open calculator →

When to use Pecorino Romano instead of Parmesan

Pecorino romano is saltier and sharper than parmesan; use slightly less or adjust salt in recipe. Both are hard Italian cheeses suitable for grating. The conversion is 1:1 by volume — 1 oz per 1 cup.

Common questions

Can I substitute Pecorino Romano for Parmesan?

Yes — Pecorino romano is saltier and sharper than parmesan; use slightly less or adjust salt in recipe. Both are hard Italian cheeses suitable for grating. Ratio: 1:1 by volume — 1 oz per 1 cup.

What's the conversion ratio for Parmesan to Pecorino Romano?

1:1 by volume — 1 oz per 1 cup. For other quantities, use the SubSwap calculator.

Are Parmesan and Pecorino Romano interchangeable?

They are similar in most uses, but Pecorino romano is saltier and sharper than parmesan; use slightly less or adjust salt in recipe..

Is Pecorino Romano a better substitute than other options for Parmesan?

Pecorino Romano is one of the options SubSwap lists for Parmesan. The 'best' choice depends on your recipe — see the full list of Parmesan substitutes.

Looking for more Parmesan substitutes beyond Pecorino Romano?

See all Parmesan swaps →

Related ingredients

Parmesan Pecorino Romano Romano Butter Egg Buttermilk Milk Flour Sugar Baking powder Grana Padano Manchego Cheese Parmigiano Reggiano