It’s easy to think of cheese curds as nothing more than a poutine topping or an ingredient waiting for breading and a quick dip in the fryer, but don’t stop there. Whether you let them melt or simply warm them through, curds can bring something special to the plate.

Melted Pockets of Cheese

My favorite thing about curds: they melt differently than sliced or shredded cheese. In a hot dish, they create little bursts of cheesy goodness rather than one predictable, uniform layer. When a diner lands on one of those extra-cheesy bites, it’s like striking gold.

Softened Chunks of Cheese

Another thing I like about cheese curds is that stopping short of a full melt can be a winning play, too. Add them near the end or give them a quick finish in your Ovention so they heat through while preserving their structure. That unexpected, soft bite of warm concentrated curd creates a completely different eating experience.

Curd Creativity

If you’ve got cheese curds on hand, get creative.

• Stuffed mushrooms: Pop a single curd into each cremini mushroom before baking. They’re perfectly sized, so there’s no slicing or shredding. For a spicy take, add a sliced jalapeño ring on top and finish with a hot honey drizzle.
• Breakfast hash: Fold cheese curds in for gooey pockets of melted cheese throughout the dish.
• Pizza: Mix a handful into your regular pizza cheese blend for rich bites of cheese that make those slices unforgettable.
• Grilled cheese: Try our BBQ Bacon Cheese Curd Grilled Cheese for another way to leverage cheese curds. Smoky bacon, tangy BBQ sauce, and softened curds come together in a sandwich that takes a classic grilled cheese in a bold new direction.
• Baked mac and cheese: Stir some curds into the pasta before baking for melty bursts of cheese scattered among the pasta and creamy sauce.

One product, plenty of possibilities. Give cheese curds a little more room to play on your menu. They’re good for a whole lot more than poutine and the fryer.