Randy Chandler
Shredded cheese is a convenient way to add cheese to your meals, but it can get soggy and go bad quickly. To prevent shredded cheese from going bad, it's important to understand the factors that contribute to its spoilage. Firstly, shredded cheese is often coated with anti-caking agents like cellulose, potato starch, or calcium sulfate to prevent clumping, but these additives can affect the melting ability of the cheese. Secondly, slight temperature variations can cause the shreds to stick together, forming a globby mass. Proper storage is crucial to extending the shelf life of shredded cheese. This includes using airtight containers, maintaining consistent temperatures, and storing cheese separately to prevent foreign mold growth. Additionally, cheese paper or wax paper can be used to wrap the cheese before placing it in a partially sealed plastic bag, ensuring breathability and preventing unwanted air from entering.
How to prevent shredded cheese from going bad
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Storage | Store shredded cheese in a Stasher bag in the fridge if you plan to use it in the next two weeks. |
| Portion it into 2-cup amounts and freeze it for long-term storage. | |
| Store cheese at the back of the fridge to avoid exposing it to outside air. | |
| Keep the fridge clean. | |
| Wrap hard cheeses like Parmesan in paper, then loosely in plastic. | |
| Wrap semi-hard to semi-soft cheeses like cheddar, gouda, Swiss, and fontina loosely in paper, then loosely in plastic wrap. | |
| Wrap soft ripened cheeses like brie loosely in paper, then place in a partially sealed plastic bag or small airtight container with a cracked lid. | |
| Keep different types of cheeses like cheddar, jack, and blue cheese separate to prevent foreign mold growth. | |
| Use cheese paper, or wax or parchment paper, then put it in a partially sealed plastic bag. | |
| Store cheese at a consistent temperature. | |
| Expiry date | Use shredded cheese within a certain timeframe after opening. |
| Check for mold, smell, and taste. | |
| If cheese is dry, it may not be good. | |
| Shredded cheese can be frozen. | |
| Additives | Shredded cheese contains additives like anti-caking agents and mold inhibitors to keep it from clumping and sticking. |
| Additives include cellulose powder, potato starch, calcium sulfate, and sawdust. |
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What You'll Learn
Store in a Stasher bag or airtight container
Shredded cheese is notoriously difficult to store, as slight temperature changes can cause the shreds to stick together. If you're not planning on using it within the next two weeks, it's best to store it in a Stasher bag or airtight container in the freezer.
Stasher bags are a great option for storing shredded cheese as they are made from silicone, which creates an airtight seal. They are also reusable and dishwasher-safe, making them a convenient and environmentally-friendly option. If you don't have a Stasher bag, you can use a regular airtight container or a partially sealed plastic bag.
To prepare your shredded cheese for freezing, it's a good idea to portion it out into 2-cup amounts so that you can easily take out what you need without having to thaw the entire batch. This also helps to ensure that your cheese stays fresh for longer, as you are not constantly exposing the entire batch to changes in temperature.
When storing shredded cheese in the fridge, it's important to note that it should be used within two weeks. It's also a good idea to store it in a Stasher bag or airtight container to prevent it from drying out or absorbing odours from other foods.
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Freeze shredded cheese
Shredded cheese can be frozen to prevent it from going bad. This method is especially useful if you want to buy shredded cheese when it is on sale and use it later on.
To freeze shredded cheese, divide it into 2-cup portions and store it in a freezer bag. When you need to use the cheese, simply throw the frozen cheese onto hot food and it will thaw.
Freezing shredded cheese is also a good way to make it usable again if it has become globby due to slight temperature variations. Place the globby pieces in the freezer for 20 minutes, then shred them like a block of harder cheese. When heated, the cheese will melt almost as if it had never become globby.
It is worth noting that freezing shredded cheese may affect its melting properties. Pre-shredded cheese is coated in cellulose to prevent sticking, which can interfere with its ability to melt smoothly. Therefore, it is recommended to grate your own block of cheese if you are planning to melt it.
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Avoid unnecessary additives
Shredded cheese often contains additives like anti-caking agents and mould inhibitors to prevent it from turning into a clump. One such additive is cellulose powder, a light powder made from cotton and wood pulp that keeps the cheese from sticking together. While not terrible for consumption, cellulose powder is unnecessary when you have the option to grate real cheese. Potato starch and calcium sulphate are also added to pre-shredded cheese.
Some people may prefer to avoid these additives, either for health reasons or because they interfere with the cheese-melting process. For example, one person's boyfriend was allergic to potatoes, which may have been why he felt unwell after consuming cheese. Another person notes that the presence of these additives can prevent the cheese from melting smoothly.
To avoid these additives, you can grate your own cheese. One person recommends using a high-quality grade 304 stainless steel grater. After shredding, you can store the cheese in a Stasher bag in the fridge for up to two weeks or divide it into portions and freeze it.
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Use a high-quality grater
Shredded cheese is often coated in cellulose to prevent sticking, which can cause a globby texture and interfere with melting. To avoid this, it is recommended to grate your own cheese using a high-quality grater.
A high-quality grater, such as one made of grade 304 stainless steel, is durable, well-designed, and rust-resistant. It will allow you to quickly and easily grate a block of cheese, resulting in shredded cheese that melts smoothly and tastes better.
The RSVP Endurance stainless steel box grater is a recommended option that meets these criteria. It produces consistent shreds of cheese that can be stored in the fridge or freezer for future use. Grating your own cheese not only improves the texture and taste but also avoids the additives and anti-caking agents found in pre-shredded cheese.
By investing in a high-quality grater, you can ensure that your shredded cheese stays fresher for longer and performs better in recipes. You'll also have more control over the ingredients used, avoiding unnecessary additives and preservatives. This approach may require a bit more effort upfront, but it pays off in terms of flavor, texture, and the overall quality of your dishes.
Additionally, using a high-quality grater can make the grating process more efficient and enjoyable. A well-designed grater with a comfortable grip and sharp grating surface can speed up the shredding process, making it less tedious and more satisfying. Investing in a durable grater that can handle various types of cheese will ensure you have a reliable tool for all your cooking needs.
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Store cheese paper-wrapped in a partially sealed plastic bag
Shredded cheese is notorious for going bad, getting soggy, or clumping together in the fridge. This is due to the additives and anti-caking agents used to prevent shredded cheese from sticking together, such as cellulose powder, potato starch, and calcium sulfate. While these additives are not harmful, they can affect the taste and texture of the cheese.
To prevent shredded cheese from going bad, it is recommended to store it in a partially sealed plastic bag. Specifically, the cheese should be wrapped in paper and then placed in the bag. This method creates a barrier between the cheese and the plastic, allowing the cheese to breathe and preventing it from drying out.
Cheese paper, a two-ply paper designed specifically for cheese storage, is ideal for this purpose. It ensures that the cheese can breathe and prevents unwanted air from entering. If cheese paper is unavailable, wax or parchment paper can be used instead.
When using this storage method, it is important to keep the plastic bag partially sealed. This allows the cheese to breathe while still protecting it from outside air and maintaining a consistent temperature. Storing shredded cheese in this manner can help extend its shelf life and preserve its quality.
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Frequently asked questions
Shredded cheese can get mouldy, mushy, or stinky. If it has no odour, looks fine, and tastes fine, it is likely safe to consume.
It depends on the type of cheese. Some shredded cheeses are supposed to be used within a certain timeframe after opening.
Store shredded cheese in a Stasher bag in the fridge if you plan to use it in the next two weeks. You can also divide it into 2-cup portions and freeze it.
You can use cheese paper, a special two-ply paper that ensures cheese can breathe and prevents unwanted air from entering. If you can't find cheese paper, you can wrap the cheese in wax or parchment paper and then put it in a partially sealed plastic bag.
Slight temperature variations can make shredded cheese in the fridge stick together in a globby mass. This can usually be fixed by placing the cheese in the freezer for 20 minutes and then shredding it like a block of harder cheese.
