Yes, it is possible to get Parmesan cheese in slices. While Parmesan cheese is traditionally grated or shaved from a large hard block, some companies now produce and sell pre-sliced Parmesan cheese for convenience.
Why Parmesan Cheese Usually Isn’t Sliced
There are a few reasons why Parmesan cheese is not typically sold pre-sliced:
- Hard texture – Authentic Parmesan cheese has a very hard, dense texture that makes it difficult to slice neatly. The cheese crumbles easily.
- Grating is traditional – Grating or shaving Parmesan cheese is considered more authentic in Italian cooking. Pre-sliced cheese loses some freshness.
- Difficult to slice – Large Parmesan wheels can weigh over 80 pounds. Slicing such hard cheese evenly and nicely is challenging for machines.
- Loss of flavor – Slicing exposes more surface area to air and causes Parmesan to dry out and lose flavor more quickly.
For these reasons, you’ll generally only find Parmesan cheese sold in wedges meant for grating, not presliced packs. But there are now some options for sliced Parmesan cheese thanks to new production methods.
Pre-Sliced Parmesan Cheese Options
Several cheese companies have started producing presliced Parmesan, usually in smaller quantities from milder, younger cheese wheels. Here are some pre-sliced Parmesan products you can find:
Kraft Singles Parmesan Cheese Slices
Kraft makes a widely available product called Kraft Singles Parmesan Cheese Slices. These are individually wrapped slices made from skim milk and Parmesan cheese. The slices can be placed right on sandwiches, burgers, pizza and more for easy melting. The cheese is softer and milder than traditional Parmesan.
Sargento Natural Parmesan Cheese Slices
Sargento offers a natural line of presliced cheeses, including Parmesan. The slices contain only Parmesan cheese, salt, enzymes and powdered cellulose to keep them separated. They contain no artificial additives. The cheese is aged at least 10 months for more authentic flavor.
BelGioioso Parmesan Cheese Slices
BelGioioso Cheese produces Parmesan cheese slices made from younger Parmesan wheels aged 5-8 months. Their process uses low-temperature blades to gently slice the cheese. The slices are thinner than many other options. They’re packaged in resealable pouches to stay fresh.
Private Label Pre-Sliced Parmesan
Many grocery store chains like Kroger, Safeway, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s offer their own store brand of presliced Parmesan cheese near other packaged sliced cheeses. Quality can vary between store brands.
Buying Shaved Parmesan Cheese
In addition to presliced Parmesan, many grocers now also sell packages of freshly shaved Parmesan cheese in the deli section or cheese area. This gives a closer texture and flavor to grated Parmesan. Brands like Sartori, Belgioioso and others produce shaved Parmesan you can buy at many markets.
Making Your Own Sliced Parmesan
With the right cheese and tools, it’s possible to slice Parmesan cheese at home too. Here are some tips:
- Buy a younger, milder Parmesan wheel. Parmesan aged 12+ months will be too brittle and hard to neatly slice.
- Use a very sharp cheese knife. Electric and non-stick knives can also help cut cleanly through hard cheese.
- Cut larger wedges from the wheel first. Then trim into smaller slices. Cut slices as thin as possible.
- Work quickly and return slices to the fridge. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
Homemade Parmesan cheese slices may not be perfectly even, but can work well for making appetizers, layering on casseroles, etc. Fresh slices will have the best flavor.
How to Use Pre-Sliced Parmesan
Pre-sliced Parmesan has many of the same uses as grated Parmesan. Here are some ways to use it:
- On sandwiches – Top meatball subs, Italian subs, grilled cheese and more
- On pizza – Sprinkle over fresh from the oven or use under toppings
- In salads – Toss with lettuce, tomatoes, croutons and dressing
- On eggs – Melt over fried, poached or scrambled eggs
- With pasta – Layer over hot pasta right before serving
- On vegetables – Broccoli, cauliflower, green beans and many veggies
- In casseroles – Mix into dishes like lasagna, pasta bakes, eggplant Parmesan
- As a snack – Serve slices with crackers, fruits, antipasto, wine
The sliced form can be slightly more convenient to add to cold foods like salads and sandwiches without needing to grate. But it can also work great melted into hot dishes.
Difference Between Fresh Grated vs Sliced
There are some important differences between freshly grated Parmesan and pre-sliced when cooking:
| Freshly Grated | Pre-Sliced |
|---|---|
| Stronger, more complex flavor | Milder, less nuanced flavor |
| Grates and melts easily | Slower to melt due to oils lost when sliced |
| Moist, slightly sticky texture | Drier, crumblier texture |
| Grating exposes more surface area | Less surface area exposed from slicing |
| Adds body when melted into sauces | Melts into a stringy, oily consistency |
Fresh grated Parmesan really can’t be duplicated by sliced. The texture and flavor will noticeably differ. However, pre-sliced still makes a decent substitute when you need the convenience.
Storage and Shelf Life
Properly stored, sliced Parmesan cheese should maintain its quality and taste for:
- Pre-sliced packs – About 4 to 6 weeks past the sell-by date if sealed.
- Fresh slices – 1 to 2 weeks when well wrapped and refrigerated.
- Open packages – 3 to 5 days when resealed and refrigerated.
Whole Parmesan wheels can last for over a year with the rind intact. But once sliced, Parmesan is more fragile and perishable. Keep all sliced and grated Parmesan tightly covered in the fridge and use within the recommended window for the best flavor.
Prices of Pre-Sliced Parmesan
Pre-sliced Parmesan is significantly more expensive than buying a block of Parmesan for grating. Here are some typical prices for reference:
- Kraft pre-sliced – About $4 to $6 per 8 ounce pack
- Sargento natural slices – Around $6 per 6 ounce pack
- Deli-shaved Parmesan – About $8 per 8 ounce container
- Wedge of Parmesan for grating – Around $1 per ounce
When bought in bulk or on sale, a wedge of Parmesan for grating generally costs less than half as much as pre-sliced per ounce. Convenience does come at a premium. But the shelf life is shorter.
Should You Buy Pre-Sliced Parmesan?
Pre-sliced Parmesan cheese can be a very convenient choice in many scenarios. It can make life easier when making quick meals, serving appetizers, packing kids’ lunches and other uses where grated Parmesan would be tricky. Just keep in mind a few factors when deciding whether to buy it:
- The flavor will be compromised somewhat compared to fresh grated cheese.
- It has a shorter shelf life of just a few weeks once opened or sliced.
- It is significantly more expensive once you calculate per ounce costs.
- Not all brands have consistent quality in texture and taste.
Overall, pre-sliced Parmesan is worth keeping on hand for quick weeknight meals and times when you need convenient slices rather than grated cheese. But for the best Parmesan flavor and experience, it’s still hard to beat using wedges of Parmesan cheese and grating it fresh whenever you can.
Conclusion
While Parmesan cheese has traditionally been a difficult cheese to slice neatly, several companies now produce presliced Parmesan cheese products. Options like Kraft Singles Parmesan, Sargento Natural Slices and deli-shaved Parmesan provide convenient sliced Parmesan to use in place of grated cheese. The texture and flavor profile differs somewhat from fresh grated Parmesan. But for speed and convenience, presliced Parmesan can be handy to have for quick meals, snacks and other uses where grated cheese would be impractical. Just keep in mind the higher cost and shorter shelf life compared to buying wedges of Parmesan for grating.