Shredded cheese

[Syn D]

My daughter just called and said she is cleaning out her dish cupboard and asked me if I wanted the stuff she is getting rid of. Course I said yes.. I'm not to proud, she has newer nicer stuff..

Well, one of the things is a nice cheese grater...... My question is ~ Is it cheaper to grate than buy already shredded cheese, and can ya freeze it???

Thanx!!!

[Palooka]

Yes it's cheaper to grate and doesn't take much time. I'm pretty sure you can freeze it, even in the blocks but I never have. So not sure if it changes the texture or not.

[frugalfranny]

..... My question is ~ Is it cheaper to grate than buy already shredded cheese, and can ya freeze it???

Thanx!!!

Absolutely cheaper........in this area about a dollar cheaper - at least - per pound for the 'basics' of cheeses. (I do get lazy and buy shredded sometimes...especially parmesan)

It will change texture when frozen but you can still use it for cooking and on pizza, etc. Melts okay.......depending on if it was a good melting cheese to begin with.

[mauimagic]

How nice of your DD to share!!

I always buy cheese on sale and in bulk - freeze at least half.

[Libby]

We shred any cheese that we're not able to eat by the expiry date. We shred it and flash freeze it in 1c lumps on a tray in the freezer then gently place them into a freezer storage bag. Please make sure its a freezer seal bag or else your cheese may spoil (freezer burn).

We also freeze whole blocks - but it does get super crumbly when you defrost and try to slice. Usually its going on toast or a sammy, in/on something for it to be melted or the chunks are just the right size for crackers. Basically we don't mind the crumbly texture. If its in its original unopened sealed block - you can freeze as is. If its an open block, use the freezer bag.

In general we find it to be cheaper to buy the big blocks of cheese when on sale and prep accordingly for the freezer: some shredded others as a whole in blocks.

You can also freeze the processed cheese slices too - just allow a day or two for them to thaw in the fridge before using.

[frugalfranny]

You can also freeze the processed cheese slices too - just allow a day or two for them to thaw in the fridge before using.

Libby.......have you ever tried freezing Velveeta? How did it go?

I never have but I HAVE to have my Velveeta (I know....not even a 'true' cheese) for grilled cheese.........it melts so good!! Darn good for mac and cheese too.

Once in awhile I will see a coupon for it but it is never when I need it..........so would like to freeze some.

[Libby]

Libby.......have you ever tried freezing Velveeta? How did it go?

I never have but I HAVE to have my Velveeta (I know....not even a 'true' cheese) for grilled cheese.........it melts so good!! Darn good for mac and cheese too.

Once in awhile I will see a coupon for it but it is never when I need it..........so would like to freeze some.

Sorry frugalfranny - no Velveeta here in Canada or I don't pay much attention to it when I buy my cheese slices. I don't know how that type of cheese freezes. I would think thats more like a firmer cheez wiz type processed cheese. I was referring to the slices.

Anyone else know if Velveeta freezes well?

[Syn D]

You all are great!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you very much......

Yes, my daughter is good at thinking of me first..

[nuisance26]

~It's not always cheaper to buy block cheese. My market sells 5lb bags of shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese for $10. That's my buy price, $2lb. I repackage the shredded cheese into gallon bags and freeze them flat so the shreds break apart easily. I don't even bother thawing the shreds. I just top my pizzas or stir into my recipes frozen. No problems. The big bags are Great Lakes brand.
Pay attention to the unit price on the shelf price tag. The shreds and blocks should be easy to compare by price per pound. Write down a good buy price for your area and then stock up on cheese when it hits your low price. ~

[jas]

I have heard this trick with freezing shredded cheese is to sprinkle a little bit of corn starch with it and shake it around to keep is all from freezing together. I have not tried it though.

I have frozen blocks of cheese and like the other posters have said once it is thawed it will crumble instead of slice. It is still good for a ton of uses and still tastes the same.

[Josephhgoins]

Where I am at Ounce per ounce the shredded costs the same as the block cheese.

With that said, there are other things you can use it for, like grating carrots for cake or potatoes for hash browns.

[druthb00]

It's the same price for me *usually* When the 8 oz. packages of block cheese go on sale, so do the 8 oz packages of shredded cheese and for the same price. If the packages aren't on sale, then 90% of the time, the blocks are cheaper. But I always buy enough when it's on sale to last until the next sale (usually 2-3 weeks worth around here.) I think it just depends on where you live and what store you shop.

[Syn D]

Ya'll are awesome!!!!!

[frugalwarrior2]

Not cheaper and yes. I use sandwich bags and lay flat. t
throw right into the chili/soup/whatever frozen. Sams club has large bags and i used to buy 2 of sharp,mild and white. The re bag.

[ncarr]

I usually buy it pre-shredded since I stock up when it's bogo and use coupons. I pay between .75 and $1 for a bag. They go straight into the freezer.