Question: can you substitute shredded cheese for grated cheese

January 14, 2011

Answers

Barnaby Dorfman's picture

Generally yes, but it depends a bit on the recipe and what type of cheese you are using. Can you share more about what you are cooking?

Wendy Holcombe's picture

Normally, Yes. However, often shredded cheese is made thinner and lighter than grated cheese, therefore it will melt faster. You may also need to pack it down a little if you are putting it in a measuring cup.

I usually use shredded when incorporating in sauces and such because it melts faster. I also use it in pestos because it makes is smoother, the cheese becomes more of the sauce and you not just an ingredient in it.

Now if I want the cheese to melt slower I use grated because it is in bigger pieces. Mac and Cheese does well with grated, so does Pizza usually, especially if it has any other topping that has to be cooked with it too (you don't want the cheese to burn).

It can get confusing though because when you use a micro-grater (that is also a zester), you are getting super fine thin cheese that will melt much quicker, (this is actually the cheese I use in pesto)

I hope this helps and doesn't confuse too much. It does depend on the recipe. I'm noticing the "related recipes" below and they seem to be mostly Mac and Cheese, for those I'd use grated. If you use shredded watch out for burning your cheese, and getting a crust.

Foodie Relations's picture

Sure! Experiment with recipe and see what happens - you might be pleasantly surprised. This is what cooking is all about.