Randy Chandler
Cheddar cheese is a semi-hard cheese that can be easily shredded at home. While pre-shredded cheese is convenient, shredding a block of cheddar at home is simple and results in more flavourful cheese. There are several ways to shred a block of cheddar cheese, including using a box grater, a food processor, a microplane, or a vegetable peeler. Freezing the block of cheese before shredding can also help to achieve the desired texture.
How to shred block cheddar cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Semi-hard cheese |
| Tools | Food processor, box grater, microplane, vegetable peeler |
| Technique | Partially freeze the cheese before grating to make the process easier |
| Benefits of shredding your own cheese | More flavourful, melts quicker and more evenly |
| Storage | Can be frozen and stored for several months |
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What You'll Learn
Using a box grater
Shredding block cheddar cheese with a box grater is a straightforward process, but there are a few tricks to make it easier. Firstly, it is important to understand the type of cheese you are working with. Cheddar is a semi-hard cheese, which means it will grate well and produce distinct strips. Harder cheeses, like Parmesan, tend to create more of a dust, while softer cheeses, like mozzarella, are prone to clumping due to their higher moisture content.
To get started, take your block of cheddar and a box grater. The box grater will have four sides, each with a different type of grating surface. Choose the side with the largest holes, as this will create a standard shred. If you want a finer shred, you can opt for a side with smaller holes. Spray the surface of the grater with olive oil to prevent the cheese from sticking. This will also make it easier to collect the shredded cheese.
Hold the grater steady with one hand and the block of cheese in the other. Run the cheese along the grating surface in a downward motion, applying gentle pressure. You will start to see shreds of cheese accumulating at the bottom of the grater. If you are grating a large block of cheese, you may need to cut it into a more manageable size. Be careful to keep your fingers away from the sharp grating surface.
Once you have grated the desired amount of cheese, simply collect the shreds and use them as needed. You can also store shredded cheese in the freezer for later use. It is worth noting that freshly grated cheese tends to melt more smoothly and taste fresher than pre-shredded cheese, which often contains anti-clumping agents.
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Using a food processor
First, prepare your food processor. Attach the shredding disc to your food processor. Most food processors come with a disc designed specifically for shredding. If you are making ground parmesan or other hard cheeses, skip the shredding disc and place the cheese directly into the food processor bowl.
Next, prepare the cheese. Take your block of cheddar cheese and cut it into cubes, rectangles, or strips that will fit into the food processor chute. The cheese should be cold, as it is easier to shred when it comes straight out of the refrigerator. If you are using a softer cheese, like mozzarella, you can place it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before shredding to make it harder. For harder cheeses, like parmesan, you can freeze the cheese for a few hours or until it is frozen solid.
Now, it's time to shred the cheese. Turn on the food processor and carefully feed the cheese cubes or rectangles through the feed chute, using the feeding tool to push the cheese down into the processor. Apply pressure with the food pusher. Watch as the cheese block turns into beautifully shredded cheese in just a few seconds! Once the cheese is completely shredded, turn off the food processor and remove the cheese.
Finally, store your freshly shredded cheese in an airtight bag or container in the refrigerator. It will keep fresh for up to a week. You can also freeze shredded cheese for future use.
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Freezing the cheese first
Freezing the cheese before shredding it is a great way to ensure you get the best results. Cheddar is a semi-hard cheese, which means it will grate well and produce distinct strips of cheese. However, freezing it first will make it easier to grate and result in a smoother, more even shred.
To do this, place the block of cheddar in your freezer for around 30 minutes to harden it. This will make it easier to grate by hand and create a better shred. If you are grating by hand, a standard box grater will work well for semi-hard cheeses like cheddar. Use the grater over a chopping board to create a pile of cheese shreds, or hold the grater directly over your dish and grate the cheese straight into it.
You can also use a food processor to shred cheese, but this will require partially freezing the cheese first to ensure it is hard enough for the processor to grate. Cut the block of cheese into smaller pieces or cubes so that it fits through the feed tube of the processor. This method will give you a large amount of shredded cheese in a short space of time, with minimal mess.
Freezing cheese is a great way to make it last longer, and it can be especially useful if you have bought a large block of cheese on sale. It is best to avoid refreezing cheese, so it is recommended to split the block into portions before freezing.
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Using a microplane
- Start by cutting the block of cheddar cheese into smaller, manageable pieces. You can do this by first slicing the cheese into thin slabs and then cutting those slabs into matchsticks. The exact size of the matchsticks doesn't need to be precise, but try to keep them relatively uniform in thickness to ensure even shredding.
- Once you have your cheese matchsticks, you can begin using the microplane. A microplane is a type of grater with very small holes, resulting in finely grated cheese. Hold the microplane steady with one hand and, with the other hand, rub the cheese matchsticks against the grating surface, applying gentle pressure.
- Continue grating the cheese, turning the matchsticks as you go to use all the cheese. The microplane will create fine shreds of cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes.
- As you work, be mindful of your fingers! It's easy to accidentally grate your knuckles, so take care to keep them clear of the grating surface.
- Finally, when you're done, you'll need to clean the microplane. This can be a meticulous task, as the small holes can be tricky to clean, but it's important to ensure that all the cheese is removed.
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Using a vegetable peeler
To start, hold a medium-sized block of cheese over a regular-sized plate. If you want higher-quality slices, you can refrigerate the cheese first to make it firmer and easier to slice. Then, spray the vegetable peeler with cooking spray so the cheese doesn't stick to it. This is especially helpful if you are grating a soft cheese like mozzarella, but it can also be useful for a semi-hard cheese like cheddar.
Next, run the vegetable peeler over the block of cheese in a continuous forward motion. You can either run the peeler over a corner of the cheese to create shreds or use it over a larger area to create thin slices. The latter technique is perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, as the thin slices will melt at the same rate that the bread browns.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to shred block cheddar cheese is to use a standard box grater. It is also possible to use a food processor with a shredding blade, a microplane, or a vegetable peeler.
Yes, you can freeze shredded cheddar cheese. It will stay good for at least several months, but it is best to avoid refreezing it.
Shredding your own cheese is just as simple as buying pre-shredded cheese, but it has a lot more flavor. Pre-shredded cheese tends to contain anti-clumping agents that will impact the taste and meltability of the cheese.
