Fresh. Squeaky.
Seriously Addictive.

Unopened, a sealed package lasts up to 1 to 2 weeks refrigerated. Once opened, eat them within 3 to 5 days in an airtight container or zip bag. The sooner you eat them, the better the squeak.

Yes, but freezing changes the protein structure and largely kills the squeak. Frozen curds last 2 to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge and use them in cooked dishes like fried curds, poutine, or casseroles where the texture change is less noticeable. Do not expect the same raw snacking experience from a thawed curd.

Microwave them for 5 to 10 seconds. The gentle warmth reactivates the protein structure enough to restore a good portion of the squeak. You can also let them sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before eating.

Look for pink, green, or black mold spots. Check for a slimy or unusually sticky texture. Smell them for anything sour, yeasty, or ammonia-like. Fresh curds smell mild and milky. If anything seems off, throw them out. No snack is worth the risk.

Transfer opened curds to a heavy-duty airtight zip bag or container, pressing out as much air as possible. Store them toward the back of the fridge where temperatures are most consistent, not on the door where temps fluctuate. Eat within 3 to 5 days for best results.

Start with cold curds straight from the fridge. Make a simple beer batter or use seasoned flour, egg wash, and panko breadcrumbs. Heat oil to 350 to 375°F. Fry in small batches so the oil temperature stays stable. They are done when golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels, season immediately, and serve with ranch or marinara.

Yes. Coat curds in flour, dip in beaten egg, then coat in seasoned panko. Spray generously with cooking oil and air fry at 400°F for 6 to 8 minutes, shaking halfway through. They will not be quite as crispy as deep fried but they are significantly easier to make and still excellent.

Poutine is a Canadian dish made with crispy french fries, fresh cheese curds, and hot brown gravy. Make or buy thick-cut fries, get them crispy, then top with fresh curds and pour hot gravy over the whole thing. The gravy melts the curds just enough while keeping a hint of squeak. Classic plain or lightly flavored curds work best since the gravy does the heavy flavor lifting.

For beer, a crisp lager, pale ale, or wheat beer works well without overpowering the mild dairy flavor. For wine, an unoaked Chardonnay or dry Riesling is a natural match. For cocktails, a Bloody Mary or light gin and tonic pairs nicely. With spicy flavored curds like Chili Cheese or Mango Fire, something slightly sweet like a hard cider or fruit-forward wheat beer balances the heat.

Beyond frying and poutine, curds melt beautifully into scrambled eggs, add pockets of cheesy goodness to homemade pizza, and work great on burgers in the last minute of cooking. You can also toss them into hot tomato soup, add them to a green salad for a textural pop, or use them anywhere you would want small melty bits of fresh cheese.

Every Gardner's order ships 2-day air in a reusable insulated bag with premium ice packs. Packing is customized based on the weather forecast at your specific delivery address. Curds are made fresh in the morning and ship the same day, so they arrive as close to straight-from-the-vat as possible.

Cold-pack 2-day air shipping is free on all orders of $69 or more. For orders under $69, a shipping fee applies but decreases as your order total goes up. Buying multi-packs or combining flavors is the easiest way to hit the free shipping threshold.

Yes. Gardner's ships to all 50 states including Alaska and Hawaii at standard rates. Free cold-pack shipping on orders $69 or more applies to all 50 states with no extra fees.

Put them in the fridge immediately. For peak squeak, let them come to room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before eating. If you ordered multiple packs and want to save some for later, freeze them within the first week for best results when using in cooked dishes later.

Yes. Add a note in your cart and Gardner's will include a personalized gift card with no prices on the packing slip. Gardner's also handles corporate gift orders for teams and clients. Visit the corporate gifting page to get started.