Parmesan cheese rinds are a really great way to add a flavor bump to soups and sauces!
Oftentimes, you can buy them from the deli counter for a really great price or just hold on to your own leftovers and use them in recipes!
What is a Parmesan Rind?
Parmesan rinds are the outer, protective layer that naturally develops on the outside of the cheese wheel while it ages.
It can be very tough to chew so, while it can be eaten, I don’t eat it. That being said, it is packed with intense cheese flavor!
Kitchen Tips
- Keep the rinds from your parmesan cheese blocks in the freezer until you’re ready to use them.
- Check the deli counter for rinds, I bought the stack pictured for about $3.
- Check the rinds you buy, many still have quite a bit of cheese that can be grated and enjoyed.
What to Do With Parmesan Rinds
Slow cook Parmesan rinds in hearty soups and sauces!
As the soup is simmering, drop a rind in and let it bubbly away. They may not fully dissolve by the time the soup is ready so you can remove it before serving.
Some of our favorite recipes for using Parmesan rinds are Minestrone Soup, Lasagna Soup, or stir into a creamy tomato Easy Marinara Sauce and add some al dente rotini or penne pasta.
Parmesan rinds can be chopped into small pieces and infused into olive oil, and it’s so good drizzled over our Homemade Garlic Bread. It can also be finely grated and stirred into softened butter, called a “compound butter” that can be baked with fish, salmon, or sautéed in a veggie stir fry.
How to Store
Keep Parmesan rinds in a zippered bag in the refrigerator and they will keep for several months or up to a year in the freezer with the date labeled on the outside.
Perfect Parm Recipes
- Roasted Parmesan Asparagus – just 4 ingredients
- Parmesan Risotto – creamy & delicious
- Parmesan Roasted Broccoli – a low carb side dish
- Chicken Parmesan Casserole – an easy weekday meal
- Broccolini Parmesan Pasta Salad – ready in 20 minutes
