A Word on Why You Should Buy Cheese at Costco
Costco cheese, also known as Kirkland Signature shredded or grated cheese, is better and cheaper than brand-name cheese at your local grocery store or even at Costco, so much so that it’s the first item on all the MUST-buy from Costco lists on the internet. This has led many digital media publishers to speculate about why Costco’s cheese is so cheap.
In a Costco subreddit, many users said Costco’s Kirkland Signature cheese was 2-3 times cheaper than a comparable name-brand pouch at their supermarket. Costco can do this because they purchase large quantities directly from manufacturers and can negotiate lower prices due to the large volume of their orders.
Costco also has lower overhead costs than other retailers, allowing them to sell items at a lower cost. Lastly, Costco also sells its own Kirkland cheese, produced in bulk and often cheaper than comparable cheese from other brands.
However, Costco’s cheese is better and cheaper mainly because their business mantra is to lure in new customers and retain the existing ones. They can sell some items with marginal or no profit–and even at a loss–to boost the sales of their other items. Anyone who has ever undergone Costco’s “esoteric initiation ritual,” which involves sacrificing $60 a year, will probably buy more than just Kirkland cheese.
Costco Shredded and Grated Cheese – A General Review (Advice)
Costco offers cheese in various forms: grated, wedges, and even whole 72-pound wheels. Pre-grated cheese has more surface area exposed to air, which means it has much less shelf life than other forms. Also, it deteriorates much faster once you have opened the package. So, it’s best to consume it within a week or two after you have opened the jar.
Shredded or pre-grated cheese has anti-caking agents added to it. These anhydrous compounds absorb moisture to prevent cheese shreds from sticking together. They also keep grates dry and free-flowing.
Anti-caking agents added to the shredded cheese inhibit proper melting and give a weird mouthfeel. In addition, some of the flavor is lost when grating cheese. However, grating cheese yourself is an uphill battle, so thanks but no thanks.
Top 4 Best Shredded Cheese Options Only Available at Costco
At Costco, Costco’s in-house brand Kirkland Signature and other brands sell some of the most popular cheese varieties and blends, like parmesan, cheddar, and aged Parmigiano.
Since all three are excellent and unique, there is no competition between them–you can get any according to your needs. So here are reviews of the best cheeses in no particular order..
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1. Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese 4.5 Lbs
Sprinkling parmesan cheese as an extra on your bagels, sandwiches, salads, and pizzas is a pleasure for your taste buds. Kraft grated cheese is an excellent choice when you need a big, hassle-free pack of parmesan cheese.
Available for $24.5 for 4.5 lbs, it’s the most delicious cheese at Costco. The packaging is great– you get a huge quantity of grated parmesan for your everyday recipes. Thus, it’s perfect if you need it for cooking or baking.
Sadly, comparing the price with other online stores like Walmart, it’s only $2 cheaper at Costco.
In a large packaging of 4.5 lbs, it keeps tasting fresh and classic.
You can also get it on Amazon in an 8 Oz shaker if you don’t need enormous packaging, but a small pack–I recommend buying it in a small package for it’ll be fresh. Get it at Costco only if you need it in large quantities.
The Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese has a slaty and nutty flavor which is so true to parmesan–it doesn’t taste sweet.
It’s keto-friendly because it’s lower in carbs and has higher amounts of fat and protein. It’s also gluten-free.
2. Kirkland Signature Aged Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese, Shredded, 16 oz
The first thing to note about the Kirkland Signature Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is that it’s an authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, not an imitation Parmesan cheese. It has the Protected Designation of Origin seal on it. Kirkland sources it from Italian cheese exporter Formaggi Zanetti.
The shredded cheese has a robust, nutty, rich, and complex flavor. The texture is just perfect for sprinkling on top of pasta dishes, soups, and salads. It also melts easily when used in cooking.
The cheese is aged for over 24 months, which gives it a distinct and robust flavor.
The packaging is also great. It comes in a 1 lb plastic container that is easy to store in the fridge and portion out as needed.
The price is also reasonable at $16.99 per lb, especially considering the high quality and taste of the cheese.
If you dread the shredded one, it’s also available as a small ~2-pound wedge. The wedge lasts longer than the pre-grated variant.
The shredded cheese is good for sprinkling over cooked food… but the wedge melts better and has a more profound aftertaste.
The most frequent complaint about the shredded variant is that it develops mold and goes bad usually within a week after opening it. Here’s an excellent Reddit thread on how to store the Kirkland Signature Parmigiano Reggiano shredded cheese.
I usually don’t pay attention to nutrition facts as long as I’m consuming a natural product from a reputable manufacturer/retailer that looks and tastes authentic. Parmigiano Reggiano is derived from pasteurized, skimmed cow milk using centuries-old techniques, which makes it one of the most natural diets on the planet.
Lastly, if you’re consuming Parmesan cheese, you probably already know it’s naturally high in sodium and saturated fat.
The Kirkland Signature Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese is minimally processed, containing a short ingredient list with little to no added ingredients.
Overall, it’s an authentic, legitimate product with excellent nutritional value. But if you can’t consume a one-pound container after opening it, you should never buy it. In this case, you can buy its non-grated version. The non-grated version also tastes better.
With only one gram of carbs and fat-rich, it’s a treat for keto-lovers.
3. Nutristore Freeze Dried Shredded Cheddar Cheese 6-count
Do you like the strong and earthy flavor of cheddar cheese the most? You must love sprinkling it on your salads, casseroles, sandwiches, and baked items. After all, it makes a fanatic combo.
If you need a cheaper option, Costco is here.
Grated cheddar cheese, indeed, bears a hefty price tag everywhere.
And, if you save some money while buying it, you can consider yourself lucky!
Here, Costco makes you this much fortunate.
You can get 6 packs of shredded cheddar cheese (weighing 30 oz each) by Nutristore at Costco. It’ll cost you about $19.9 per pound and about $36.5 for each pack of 1.875 lbs. The price is about $10 lower than other stores like Amazon.
If you compare the price with a pack of 4 on Amazon, this package of 6 packs of Nutristore cheddar cheese still saves you $49. I don’t think you could save this much anywhere except Costco.
For taste, it’s just matchless. You enjoy the same taste of this cheddar cheese even though it’s grated and prepackaged. All you need to do is rehydrate it.
I also appreciate Nutristore for ensuring a longer shelf life of 25 years (unopened).
The only complaint you can make when buying at Costco online is the uncareful delivery–the cans can come dented. Thanks to Costco’s buyer-friendly policies, you can return the product if bad luck happens.
4. Kirkland Signature Mexican Style Four Cheese Blend, Shredded
At Costco, it’s a must-try high-quality shredded blend of Monterey Jack, medium cheddar, queso quesadilla, and asadero cheeses. The Four Cheese Blend is a convenient and versatile option for adding flavor and texture to various dishes. It comes in 2.5 lb packaging and 2 counts.
You can use it as a topping, filling, and even as an ingredient in a recipe. However, shredded cheeses serve best as toppings and fillings. There’s no point in adding shredded cheese to a recipe; you should instead use non-grated cheese for this, as it will provide more flavor.
A blend of cheddar, Monterey Jack, queso quesadilla, and asadero cheese should have a mild, creamy taste. However, the Mexican Style Four Cheese Blend is very sharp and flavorsome. However, it melts quickly and has a consistent, excellent texture overall.
On the downside, the Kirkland Four Cheese Blend isn’t a hundred percent cheese. It contains potato starch as an anti-caking agent, color (160b), and an unspecified preservative.
Best Kirkland Signature Shredded Cheese (Available Via Instacart)
Kirkland Signature Shredded Cheddar Jack Cheese
It’s a high-quality, shredded blend of mild Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, providing the best of both worlds. It has a good balance of sharpness, creaminess and consistent texture, and has just the perfect shred size for melting.
From tacos, burritos, sandwiches, and nachos, this cheese is a perfect addition to any dish that calls for shredded cheese. The best way to use it is to sprinkle it over your meals after they have cooked.
It seems I’m not alone in singing its praises. The cheese blend has garnered a lot of traction, with buyers shouting its name from the top of the mountains.
The Kirkland Cheddar Jack Cheese comes in 2.5 lb packaging, which costs you $14.99.
The Cheddar Jack cheese blend contains one gram of carbs from potato starch added to prevent caking. Since it’s shredded, you can expect an anti-caking agent. However, potato starch is a natural ingredient, so panic is unnecessary. It also contains natamycin, a natural mold inhibitor.
Lastly, there’s a trace amount of a vegetable color called annatto—all-natural ingredients.
Kirkland Signature Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Kirkland Signature Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese is an excellent option for those looking for high-quality, shredded cheese at a reasonable price of $11.99 for 2.5 lb packaging.
The cheese has a strong flavor that is perfect for adding to sandwiches, salads, and casseroles. However, note that it comes pre-shredded, which means it’s bound to lose some flavor when it’s grated. It also loses some of its pungence with time once you unpack it. So it doesn’t come as a surprise that some people have reported that the cheese lacks flavor/sharpness altogether.
The Kirkland Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese is all-natural and authentic. It contains a lot of fats, a good amount of protein, and zero carbs or added sugar. Besides cultured pasteurized milk, salt, and enzymes, the only added ingredient is annatto (a vegetable color). We can say it’s only minimally processed–not bad, indeed.
The texture is consistent, and the shreds are the perfect size for melting. It’s a good value for the price and is an excellent option for those who use a lot of shredded cheese in their cooking.
FAQs
How Much is Shredded Cheese at Costco?
The price of Costco’s shredded cheese ranges between $5 to $17 per lb, depending on quality and type.
- The Kirkland Signature sharp cheddar cheese shredded and Kraft grated parmesan cheese costs $5 per lb.
- The Kirkland Signature Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese shredded is available for $16.99 per lb.
- Nutristore shredded and dried cheddar cheese is available for $19.9 per pound.
Can You Freeze Shredded Cheese?
Absolutely! Freezing shredded cheese is a great way to avoid waste and keep it on hand for future use. Here’s how:
Store-bought shredded cheese:
Keep it simple! Just toss the original bag in the freezer, no extra wrapping needed.
Homemade shredded cheese:
- Spread the cheese evenly to make and untangle the lumps.
- Pack it into resealable bags, squeezing out as much air as possible.
- Label them with the type of cheese and date.
Tips: Thaw cheese in the fridge overnight for best results. You can also use frozen cheese directly in dishes like casseroles or soups. Just remember, once thawed, don’t refreeze it.
How Long Does Shredded Cheese Last?
The lifespan of shredded cheese depends on two main things: the type of cheese and how you store it.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
In the fridge:
- Hard cheeses: Like parmesan or cheddar, last around 1 month after opening.
- Soft cheeses: Like mozzarella or Monterey Jack, only last about 1-2 weeks after opening.
Freezing:
- You can freeze any type of shredded cheese for up to 3 months, which is great for long-term storage. Just make sure it’s in an airtight container or bag to prevent freezer burn.
Remember: Always check for mold before using stored cheese. If you see any, toss it out!
A Handy Tip: write the date on your cheese after opening, so you can easily keep track of when to use it up.
How Long can Shredded Cheese Sit Out?
It’s best not to leave shredded cheese out for more than 2 hours at room temperature. Leaving it out longer increases the risk of bacteria growth, potentially making you sick.
However, it can vary slightly depending on the type of cheese:
- Hard cheeses: Shredded versions of cheddar, parmesan, etc., can handle up to 4 hours in a pinch, but check for signs of spoilage like mold or off smells before consuming.
- Soft cheeses: Shredded mozzarella, Monterey Jack, etc., should be refrigerated after 2 hours at most.
Remember, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and refrigerate opened cheese, especially shredded varieties with increased surface area for bacteria growth.
