We keep pre-shredded bags of "mexican style" for quick quesadillas for the kids or for topping tacos etc. We also use bagged mozzarella for homemade pizzas.

For chili, I really like a sharp cheddar and the bagged stuff doesn't cut it, so I shred my own cheddar. Same if I am making homemade mac and cheese, I shred all of it myself.

For parmesan (our most used cheese on pasta) we shred our own because the pre-shredded or grated type tastes like nothing.

Make America Grate Again.

Depends what it’s going in/how it’s being used. If some cheese is being incorporated into, say a meatball then pre-shredded is fine. If it’s for topping pasta or a salad with then no, fresh grated.

I have 3 graters - a mandoline style one; a box grater with different cuts on each side and a measuring container that adds to the bottom so you’ll always know how much you grated, and lose none; and a shaver/microplane-type. The last two get the most use, hands down.

Both. When I shred, I use a metal grater

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The pre shredded is super gross.
It takes 2 seconds to grace your own. We have a cheap boxer grater from target with 4 size holes. We use it multiple times a day.

I've only and always bought pre-shredded. Don't even own a box grater. How hard is it to clean the box grater without cutting yourself? Also, What if you grate too much? Do you just leave it in the refrigerator in a ziplock for the next time?

What? Just stick it in the dishwasher or use a dish brush. It's super easy to clean. Yes, the leftovers go in the fridge and you can use them on something else.

I don't have a dishwasher OR a dish brush. I just use a sponge to clean my dishes.

NP. Why don’t you have a dish brush? Not trying to be critical, but cannot imagine not having one.

I e never had one. Always just used a sponge.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The pre shredded is super gross.
It takes 2 seconds to grace your own. We have a cheap boxer grater from target with 4 size holes. We use it multiple times a day.

How does it only take you 2 seconds to grate cheese? I use 1+ pounds in my cheese sauce and while I don't love the additives, pre-grated is a godsend for getting dinner on the table in a reasonable amount of time.

I think the only time I’ve grated more than a pound of cheese is it making Mac and cheese for a big crowd. Ten seconds is for the amount I’d put on a quesadilla, but if I’m making a pizza or nachos or something like that, probably 3 minutes. It really is not a big time issue and can often be done when something else is heating.
For the poster that was asking about the ikea grater, I would not get a grater with the horiizontal plate. A vertical plate is much easier. Like this:
https://www.target.com/p/oxo-softworks-box-grater/-/A-10488920
If I’m grating hard cheese like parm, I just shake it off but for something like cheddar, I put it in the dishwasher. We do eat a lot of cheese so I use it almost every day. Those graters last forever—I think mine is more than a decade old.

I used to shred my own, but then I had kids, and now I can't be bothered. It's fine.

I use my food processor to shred the cheese. Super fast and easy although the parts take up my entire dishwasher top rack when I'm through. Tastes better, it's cheaper and the added benefit of not eating the anti caking and anti mold ingredients.

Both! I shred my own for cheese sauces, grating parmesan for pasta, anything where I care about the texture.

For a quick plate of quesadillas or mixing in to scrambled eggs? Pre shredded all the way.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The pre shredded is super gross.
It takes 2 seconds to grace your own. We have a cheap boxer grater from target with 4 size holes. We use it multiple times a day.

How does it only take you 2 seconds to grate cheese? I use 1+ pounds in my cheese sauce and while I don't love the additives, pre-grated is a godsend for getting dinner on the table in a reasonable amount of time.

I think most people don’t grate a pound + of cheese regularly. It never even crossed my mind to buy pre-shredded cheese. But I kind of love that there is a clear human divide between people who buy whole blocks and people who buy pre-shredded.

For people talking about quick weeknight meal use, I just pre-grate on Sunday or whatever and it still stays much fresher/tastier than bagged stuff when I get around to using it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The pre shredded is super gross.
It takes 2 seconds to grace your own. We have a cheap boxer grater from target with 4 size holes. We use it multiple times a day.

I've only and always bought pre-shredded. Don't even own a box grater. How hard is it to clean the box grater without cutting yourself? Also, What if you grate too much? Do you just leave it in the refrigerator in a ziplock for the next time?

What? Just stick it in the dishwasher or use a dish brush. It's super easy to clean. Yes, the leftovers go in the fridge and you can use them on something else.

I don't have a dishwasher OR a dish brush. I just use a sponge to clean my dishes.

NP. Why don’t you have a dish brush? Not trying to be critical, but cannot imagine not having one.

Quick weeknight meals get bagged. I don’t want one more thing to wash.

I always buy pre shredded. Whenever I get ambitious and buy a block it just sits in the fridge growing mold.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The pre shredded is super gross.
It takes 2 seconds to grace your own. We have a cheap boxer grater from target with 4 size holes. We use it multiple times a day.

How does it only take you 2 seconds to grate cheese? I use 1+ pounds in my cheese sauce and while I don't love the additives, pre-grated is a godsend for getting dinner on the table in a reasonable amount of time.

I’m not that person you quoted but I’m the person above you. It takes me about 10 seconds or less with my food processor. Clean up a Soso. It really isn’t not a huge time suck but I also keep pre-shredded bags too.