Eggs & dairy · Fresh cheeses

Cheese curds

Fresh, squeaky nuggets of young cheddar-style curd, best eaten very fresh; the cheese in poutine.

Also called: fresh cheese curds, squeaky cheese, fromage en grains

Around the world: fromage en grains, crottes de fromage (fr)

A kind of cheese

What it is

Cheese curds are the moist pieces of curd from cheddar-making, salted and sold before they are pressed or aged. Very fresh curds squeak against the teeth; the squeak fades within a day or two. They are mild and milky rather than sharp like aged cheddar.

How it’s used

Poutine with fries and hot gravy
Battered and deep-fried
Snacking
Topping salads and burgers

Characteristics

Taste: Mild, milky and salty.
Texture: Springy, rubbery and squeaky when fresh.
When cooked: Softens and turns gooey under hot gravy but keeps its shape; fully melts with more heat.
Sold as: fresh
Cooking uses: Usually eaten raw, Suitable for frying
Common in: Canadian, American

Storage

Refrigerated. Best eaten on the day; refrigerating keeps them safe but removes the squeak. Bringing to room temperature or a few seconds in the microwave can revive it slightly.