Love it or loathe it, Velveeta is a culinary icon. Initially developed as a way to stretch surplus cheese, Velveeta has fed American families for more than a century.
But what exactly is Velveeta, and does it even qualify as cheese? Read on to learn about Velveeta's origins, history, and whether the FDA considers Velveeta actual cheese.
What Is Velveeta? What Is It Made Of?
Velveeta is a shelf-stable cheese product made from substances including whey, milk, milk protein concentrate, modified starch, canola oil, and cheese culture. It has a smooth consistency, mild taste, and vivid orange hue.
Velveeta triumps in its ability to melt, making it a great base for dips. However, you probably best know it as a cheese sauce for macaroni.
Velveeta History
Velveeta was invented in 1918 by Emil Frey, a Swiss immigrant, as a way to conserve waste from broken cheese wheels at the Monroe Cheese Company.
"The organization sent cheese scraps to Frey to experiment with at home and he found that by adding cheese byproducts like whey to the scraps, the end result was velvety in consistency," says Lora Vogt, food historian and curator at the World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Mo. "Due to its velvety texture when melted, Frey named it Velveeta."
Velveeta was not the only processed, pasteurized cheese available at the time. By 1921, Kraft was selling "blended cheese" in tins that could "keep in any climate," Vogt adds. The Velveeta Cheese Company received a patent for its two varieties, American and Swiss, in 1925, and was purchased by Kraft in 1927.
Velveeta gained popularity during the Great Depression and World War II — not only was it an affordable source of protein, but it also encouraged people to repurpose leftovers and make them more desirable. Today, it remains a pantry staple for the same reasons.
What Kind of Cheese Is Velveeta?
Velveeta may look like cheese and taste like cheese, but it is technically classified as a "pasteurized process cheese product."
Originally, Velveeta was made from real cheese, but that is no longer the case. In 2002, the FDA issued a warning to Kraft that Velveeta was inaccurately being sold under the label of "pasteurized process cheese spread." Since then, the labels have been changed.
How Long Does Velveeta Last?
An unopened box of Velveeta will last about two to three weeks past its expiration date in the pantry, but its quality will start to diminish after six months. Once opened, store Velveeta in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to eight weeks.
What Is a Good Substitute for Velveeta?
The best substitute for Velveeta is another processed cheese product, such as American cheese or Cheez Whiz. Since Velveeta isn't actually cheese, substituting in real cheese will not guarantee the same results — part of Velveeta's processed charm is its fluid texture and ability to melt easily.
Velveeta Recipes
Go beyond what's printed on the back of the box with these Velveeta recipes:
FAQs
Since 2002, Velveeta has been labeled as a "pasteurized prepared cheese product." What does that even mean? Because of the ingredients and the way it is prepared, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not consider it real cheese.
Is Velveeta cheese OK to eat? ›
The gooey product has a permanent home in many Americans' pantries. But if you're trying to diet, lose weight or eat better, it may be time to dump the Velveeta and replace it with a healthier substitute. Velveeta is high in calories and fat with little in the way of nutritional benefits.
How is Velveeta different from American cheese? ›
Is Velveeta Real Cheese? Velveeta isn't exactly American cheese, but it's pretty close. Much like the Kraft singles, it's made up of mixtures of old cheeses, all of which are processed with emulsifiers, which hold it together, and then processed to give it that perfect meltiness.
Is cheese whiz the same as Velveeta? ›
The best substitute for Velveeta is another processed cheese product, such as American cheese or Cheez Whiz. Since Velveeta isn't actually cheese, substituting in real cheese will not guarantee the same results — part of Velveeta's processed charm is its fluid texture and ability to melt easily.
Is Velveeta plastic? ›
Velveeta may look like cheese, smell like cheese, and even taste like cheese, but it is technically classified as a “pasteurized process cheese product.” Though Velveeta was originally made from real cheese (sure it was runoff, but still), it is now mainly whey protein concentrate, milk protein concentrate, milk, fat, ...
When did Velveeta stop being real cheese? ›
It was reformulated in 1953 as a "cheese spread", but as of 2002, Velveeta is labeled in the United States as a "pasteurized prepared cheese product".
What cheese does McDonald's use? ›
The cheese slice used in our menu items like our Big Mac®, Cheeseburger and Quarter Pounder™ with Cheese contains approximately 60% real cheese (51% Cheddar and 9% Other Cheeses).
Which cheese is 100% real cheese? ›
Sargento® Slices are always 100% real, natural cheese. Pasteurized Process Cheese Food is only required to contain 51% real, natural cheese.
Why is Velveeta so expensive? ›
But since those November hikes, Kraft Heinz said in the letter, it has faced “constrained supply, logistic bottlenecks and weather-driven crop losses.” The company's costs have increased, including on raw ingredients and freight, leading it to bump prices yet again.
Does Velveeta need to be refrigerated? ›
Unopened packages of VELVEETA are shelf-stable and should be stored in a cool, dry place up until the date stamped on the package. Opened packages should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerated. For the best results, be sure to use within 8 weeks after opening.
Velveeta has everything you could want in a cheese: It's creamy, salty, rich, and utterly (or should I say udderly) addictive. It is so delicious that I don't even care that it is technically categorized as a “pasteurized prepared cheese product” and not really cheese at all.
What cheese is closest to Velveeta? ›
Monterey Jack Cheese
Monterey is another good Velveeta substitute. Sometimes called Jack, it's made with cow's milk and has a mild taste. It's very versatile and is often used in quesadillas and other Mexican foods.
What is the difference between processed cheese and real cheese? ›
Processed cheeses differ from natural cheese by not being made directly from milk but from various ingredients such as natural cheese (usually), emulsifying salts, milk solids, butter oil, other dairy ingredients, vegetable oils, or other ingredients (Fox et al., 2000; see Chapter 46).
Why doesn't Velveeta cheese need to be refrigerated? ›
The first thing you need to know is you're dealing with a "cheese product" and not a pure cheese. That's why it doesn't need to be refrigerated. After opening it up it's recommended you store it in the frig, but it's not necessary.
