If you’re a fan of Culver’s, you know that their menu is full of delicious options, from their famous butter burgers to their fresh frozen custard.
But if you’re someone who needs to avoid gluten, you may be wondering if there are any safe options for you at this popular fast food chain.
In particular, you might be curious about Culver’s cheese curds – are they gluten-free?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the ingredients in Culver’s cheese curds and explore whether or not they’re safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
So if you’re a cheese lover looking for a tasty snack, keep reading to find out more!
Are Culver’s Cheese Curds Gluten Free?
The good news for cheese lovers is that Culver’s cheese curds are indeed gluten-free!
Cheese curds are made from fresh cheese that is part of the cheese-making process. During this process, milk is curdled, which separates the whey from the curds. The curds are then either packaged and sold as cheese curds or continue on in the process to be molded and aged into cheddar cheese.
The only difference between white and orange cheese curds is the addition of annatto, which gives cheddar cheese its orange color. Cheese curds themselves are naturally gluten-free and can be eaten plain or battered and fried, as Culver’s does.
However, it’s important to note that while the cheese curds themselves are gluten-free, there is a risk of cross-contamination in the kitchen. Culver’s uses the same fryer for many of their menu items, including those that contain gluten. This means that while the cheese curds themselves may not contain gluten, they may come into contact with gluten during the cooking process.
If you have celiac disease or a severe gluten sensitivity, it’s best to exercise caution when ordering cheese curds at Culver’s. Inform your server of your dietary needs and ask if they can take measures to avoid cross-contamination.
What Are Culver’s Cheese Curds?
Culver’s cheese curds are a Wisconsin delicacy made from fresh, un-aged yellow and white cheddar cheese. La Grander Hillside Dairy in Stanley, Wisconsin provides all the cheese exclusively to Culver’s. Cheese curds are actually a byproduct of the cheddar-making process, where the curd separates from the liquid whey. The curds are then sliced, stacked, and flipped until they form smooth slabs before being cut into nugget-sized pieces. Culver’s deep-fried cheese curds are made by coating the curds with a blend of flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs before being fried to a golden brown. The result is a warm, buttery crunch with a signature blend of herbs and spices. While they are naturally gluten-free, there is a risk of cross-contamination in the kitchen due to shared fryers with gluten-containing menu items. It’s important to exercise caution when ordering cheese curds at Culver’s if you have celiac disease or a severe gluten sensitivity.
Gluten And Gluten Sensitivities Explained
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It is the glue that holds these grains together and gives bread its chewy texture. While gluten is harmless for most people, it can cause serious health problems for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects about 1% of the population. When people with celiac disease eat gluten, their immune system attacks the lining of their small intestine, causing damage and inflammation. This can lead to a range of symptoms, including abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and malnutrition.
Gluten sensitivity, on the other hand, is a less severe condition that affects about 6% of the population. People with gluten sensitivity experience similar symptoms to those with celiac disease but do not have the same intestinal damage.
For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, it is important to avoid gluten-containing foods. This can be challenging as gluten is found in many common foods, including bread, pasta, cereal, and baked goods. It’s also found in some unexpected places, such as soy sauce and beer.
At Culver’s, there are several menu items that do not contain gluten ingredients, such as Udi’s Gluten Free Bun, Crinkle Cut Fries, and George’s Chili. However, as mentioned earlier, there is a risk of cross-contamination in the kitchen. It’s important for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity to inform their server of their dietary needs and ask if measures can be taken to avoid cross-contamination.
Ingredients In Culver’s Cheese Curds
Culver’s Cheese Curds are made from the freshest, un-aged yellow and white Wisconsin cheddar. They are deep-fried to a golden brown for a warm, buttery crunch. The cheese curds are provided exclusively to Culver’s by La Grander Hillside Dairy in Stanley, Wisconsin.
The batter used to coat the cheese curds is made from a blend of bleached wheat flour, yellow corn flour, salt, sugar, soy flour, dextrose, leavening, yeast extract, mono and diglycerides, spice, yellow 5, natural flavor, red 40, and blue 1. The breadcrumbs used in the recipe consist of wheat flour, dextrose, salt, dried whey, Romano and Parmesan cheese, sugar, spices, dried garlic, dried onion, dried yeast, and dried parsley.
The cheese curds are cooked in canola oil. According to the nutrition facts provided by Culver’s website visitors, a large order of Wisconsin Cheese Curds contains 1020 calories, 50 grams of fat and 102 grams of carbohydrates.
It is important to note that while the ingredients themselves do not contain gluten, there is a risk of cross-contamination in the kitchen. As mentioned earlier in this article, Culver’s uses the same fryer for many of their menu items. This means that while the cheese curds themselves may not contain gluten, they may come into contact with gluten during the cooking process.
Cross-Contamination Concerns
While Culver’s cheese curds themselves are gluten-free, there is a risk of cross-contamination in the kitchen. Culver’s uses shared fryers to cook many of their menu items, including those that contain gluten. This means that the cheese curds may come into contact with gluten during the cooking process.
Additionally, some of the most enticing options on the Culver’s menu – fries, onion rings, and cheese curds – cannot be made gluten-free. The only gluten-free side options are green beans, mashed potatoes (without gravy), a side salad, applesauce, or coleslaw. It’s important to note that even though these sides are labeled as gluten-free, there is still a risk of cross-contamination in the kitchen.
To minimize the risk of cross-contamination, inform your server of your dietary needs and ask if they can take measures to avoid it. For example, you can ask for your cheese curds to be cooked in a separate fryer or ask for your burger or sandwich to be made without sauce to avoid cross-contamination from shared utensils.
It’s also worth noting that while Culver’s does offer gluten-free options on their menu, they do state that there may be some chance of cross-contamination. If you have celiac disease or a severe gluten sensitivity, it’s best to exercise caution when dining at Culver’s and consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian for guidance on safe food choices.
Other Gluten-Free Options At Culver’s
If you’re looking for other gluten-free options at Culver’s, there are a few choices available. While many of their popular sides, such as fries and onion rings, are not gluten-free due to cross-contamination concerns, there are still some options to choose from.
Green beans, mashed potatoes (without gravy), a side salad, applesauce, and coleslaw are all gluten-free side options at Culver’s. While some may find these options less exciting than the traditional sides, they can still be a tasty addition to your meal.
For those looking for a heartier option, Culver’s offers a gluten-free bun for their burgers and sandwiches. While there is still a risk of cross-contamination in the kitchen, the gluten-free bun provides a safe option for those with gluten sensitivities.
Additionally, some of Culver’s soups are gluten-free, including their chicken noodle soup and chili. However, it’s important to note that many of their other soups do contain gluten.
As always, it’s important to communicate your dietary needs with your server when ordering at Culver’s. They may be able to take extra precautions to avoid cross-contamination or recommend specific menu items that are safe for you to eat.
