A guide to The Laughing Cow — the creamy, spreadable processed cheese wedges. What they're made of, and the best ways to use them.
The Laughing Cow is one of the world's most familiar processed cheeses — those little foil-wrapped triangles of smooth, spreadable cheese in a round red box, marked by the smiling red cow on the label. Mild, creamy, and convenient, it's been a snack-time staple for generations across the globe.
What The Laughing Cow Is
The Laughing Cow (La Vache qui rit in its native French) is a brand of spreadable processed cheese created in France in the early 20th century. Each round box contains foil-wrapped wedges of soft, creamy cheese made by blending cheeses (such as Gouda, cheddar, and others) with milk, emulsifiers, and other ingredients into a smooth, spreadable, shelf-stable product. It's a processed cheese designed above all for mildness, creaminess, and convenience.
Flavor and Texture
The Laughing Cow is mild, creamy, mildly tangy, and lightly salty, with an ultra-smooth, soft, spreadable texture. The original flavor is gentle and approachable, and the brand offers many varieties — light, garlic and herb, cheddar, blue cheese, and more. Its defining quality is its silky spreadability and crowd-pleasing mildness rather than any bold flavor.
A Convenient Format
Part of the appeal is the packaging. Each triangular wedge is individually foil-wrapped for freshness and portability, and the cheese is shelf-stable enough to be popular in lunchboxes and as a travel snack. The portion-controlled wedges are mess-free and easy, which has made The Laughing Cow a favorite for children and busy snackers worldwide.
How to Use The Laughing Cow
The wedges are made for spreading. Smear them on crackers, bread, toast, bagels, or breadsticks for a quick snack, or use them as a creamy dip for vegetables and crackers. In cooking, they melt easily into an instant creamy sauce, stir into pasta, enrich mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs, or add creaminess to soups. Spread on apple slices or celery, they make a popular light snack. Their smooth melt and mild flavor make them a handy, versatile pantry cheese.
Pairings
The Laughing Cow pairs with crackers, fresh bread, vegetables, and fruit like apples and grapes as a snack or light bite. Its mildness lets it go with almost anything, and the flavored varieties pair well with their matching ingredients.
Buying and Storing
The Laughing Cow is sold in round boxes of foil-wrapped wedges, in original and many other flavors. While shelf-stable when unopened, it's best stored in the fridge, especially once opened, and used within its date. Keep the wedges wrapped until ready to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cheese is The Laughing Cow?
It's a spreadable processed cheese made by blending cheeses with milk and emulsifiers into a smooth, mild, creamy product.
Can you cook with The Laughing Cow?
Yes. The wedges melt easily into creamy sauces and can enrich pasta, mashed potatoes, eggs, and soups.
Does The Laughing Cow need refrigeration?
It's best kept refrigerated, particularly once opened, though unopened boxes are relatively shelf-stable, which adds to its convenience.