National Cheese Curd Day — October 15, 2027

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CheeseCooking
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
Every October 15
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National Cheese Curd Day celebrates the delightful, bite-sized nuggets of cheese every October 15. Created by Culver’s in 2015, this day invites everyone to indulge in the fresh, often fried, cheesy goodness. Get ready to buy, make, and most importantly, eat plenty of cheese curds to honor this delicious occasion.

Expected National Cheese Curd Day Deals

While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Cheese Curd Day often brings irresistible deals from fast-food chains and local eateries. Culver’s, the holiday’s creator, is a perennial favorite for offering discounts or free curds. Keep an eye on other Midwestern-centric brands like Arby’s and Dairy Queen, which occasionally feature cheese curds on their menus. Local pubs and diners, especially in Wisconsin, often run specials on their house-made fried cheese curds. Specialty cheese shops like The Cheese Shop of Salem and Murray’s Cheese might highlight artisan curds for home frying. Grocery stores such as Kroger and Whole Foods Market may also offer promotions on fresh cheese curds. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as October 15 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Cheese Curd Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalCheeseCurdDay. Film a ‘squeak test’ challenge or a recipe for homemade fried curds.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #CheeseCurdDay. Share mouth-watering photos or reels of your favorite cheese curd dishes, from poutine to standalone fried curds.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #CheeseCurdLove. Ask your community to share their favorite local spots for cheese curds or their go-to curd recipes.

Social Media Tips for National Cheese Curd Day

Individuals

Visit your favorite local restaurant for a basket of fried cheese curds, or grab some fresh curds from a dairy farm or grocery store to enjoy at home. Experiment with different dipping sauces.

Creators

Create content showcasing the versatility of cheese curds beyond just frying. Think cheese curd poutine, cheese curd pizza, or even a gourmet cheese curd platter. Rate different brands or preparations.

Brands

Run a 'Curd Creation' contest, inviting customers to submit their most innovative recipes using cheese curds for a chance to win prizes. Partner with local dairies to promote fresh, regional curds.

Top Brands for National Cheese Curd Day

  1. Culver's

    Founded in 1984 by George, Ruth, Craig, and Lea Culver in Sauk City, Wisconsin, Culver's is a fast-food chain famous for its ButterBurgers and fresh frozen custard. They are the proud creators of National Cheese Curd Day in 2015, featuring their signature Wisconsin Cheese Curds made with real yellow and white cheddar. Claim your brand

  2. Sargento

    Established in 1953 by Leonard Gentine in Plymouth, Wisconsin, Sargento Foods Inc. is a leading family-owned company known for its natural cheese products. They were the first to market shredded cheese in a package and continue to offer a wide range of cheeses, including various cheddar products ideal for making curds. Claim your brand

  3. Tillamook

    The Tillamook County Creamery Association was founded in 1909 in Tillamook, Oregon, as a farmer-owned cooperative. Renowned for its high-quality dairy products, especially its cheddar cheese, Tillamook offers a variety of natural cheeses that can be enjoyed in curd form or as part of a cheesy dish. Claim your brand

  4. Kraft Heinz

    Formed by the merger of Kraft Foods Group and H.J. Heinz Company in 2015, Kraft Heinz is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world. Their extensive portfolio includes many popular cheese brands like Kraft Singles and Velveeta, making them a significant player in the broader cheese market. Claim your brand

  5. Wisconsin Cheese

    Representing the dairy farmers and cheesemakers of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (now Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin) promotes the state's diverse cheese industry. Wisconsin is the only state that requires cheesemakers to be licensed, ensuring high quality and a rich tradition of cheese production, including its famous curds. Claim your brand

  6. Arby's

    Founded in 1964 by Forrest and Leroy Raffel in Boardman, Ohio, Arby's is an American fast-food chain known for its roast beef sandwiches. While not a permanent menu item, Arby's has occasionally featured cheddar cheese curds, particularly in regions where they are a popular side dish, delighting fans with their crispy, gooey texture. Claim your brand

  7. Dairy Queen

    Dairy Queen, founded in 1940 in Joliet, Illinois, is a global chain of soft-serve ice cream and fast-food restaurants. In some locations, especially in the Midwest, Dairy Queen offers deep-fried cheese curds as a savory side, providing a satisfyingly cheesy complement to their sweet treats. Claim your brand

National Cheese Curd Day Hero

George Culver

George Culver is the co-founder of Culver's, the beloved Midwestern fast-food chain, alongside his wife Ruth and son Craig. In 2015, Culver's officially established National Cheese Curd Day to celebrate their iconic Wisconsin Cheese Curds. George's vision for quality food and hospitality helped build Culver's into a regional powerhouse, making cheese curds a staple for many across the country.

National Cheese Curd Day timeline

1100s
​Cheese curds make it into a song

​The Celtic song, “Visions of MacGonlannee,” mentioned cheese curds in its lyrics.

​1840
​Wisconsin got in on the cheese game

​Wisconsin became the “it” place to make and produce cheese because of its rich farmland.

1922
​Wisconsin’s cheese factories grow

​By this year, Wisconsin was home to more than 2,800 cheese factories.

1900s
Cheese curds gain in popularity

Because cheese curds grew in popularity, milk factories experienced surpluses in this century.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Cheese Curd Day

Local restaurants and pubs can celebrate National Cheese Curd Day by featuring special cheese curd dishes, offering discounts on existing curd menu items, or introducing new, creative curd-based appetizers. Specialty food stores can host tasting events for different types of fresh cheese curds or offer kits for making fried curds at home. Even non-food businesses can join the fun by partnering with local eateries for employee treats or customer giveaways, promoting a sense of community and cheesy indulgence.

National Cheese Curd Day FAQs

When is National Cheese Curd Day?

In 2027, National Cheese Curd Day is celebrated on Friday, October 15, setting the stage for a cheesy start to the weekend.

What are cheese curds?

These small, irregular-shaped chunks of cheese are essentially young cheddar that hasn’t been aged or pressed into blocks. They can be enjoyed fresh, battered and deep-fried, or as a key ingredient in dishes like poutine.

Where are cheese curds most popular?

Beyond Wisconsin, cheese curds also have a strong following in other dairy-rich regions like Minnesota and parts of Canada, where they are a crucial component of traditional poutine.

What makes cheese curds 'squeaky'?

The unique texture and sound occur because the calcium in the cheese hasn’t fully bonded with the protein, allowing the individual protein structures to retain their springiness and create friction when bitten.

National Cheese Curd Day Activities

  1. Say “cheese” and share your pics on social media

    Sharing experiences (new or nostalgic) on social media is always fun, so celebrate National Cheese Curd Day by sharing your cheese curd experience online. If you’re new to eating cheese curds, take a video capturing your first bite. If cheese curds were a staple in your childhood, snap pics of your favorite cheese curd joint.

  2. Go crazy—take a trip to Wisconsin

    What better way to celebrate National Cheese Curd Day than taking a trip to the state that started it all? Since this holiday falls on a Monday this year, you can experience Wisconsin for the weekend, hit up Culver’s (or any place that serves cheese curds), and save some cheese curds for when you're back home— and so you can eat them on National Cheese Curd Day — taking this indulgent holiday to a whole new level.

  3. Try making your own

    Whether you can buy fresh cheese curds locally or not, National Cheese Curd Day is the perfect time to tackle a new recipe challenge. So on October 15, look for recipes online and try frying your own cheese curds at home.

​​4 Things About Cheese Curds That’ll Make You Want To Book A Flight To Wisconsin

  1. Cheese curds squeak

    ​Not only is squeaking a common characteristic of cheese curds—this happens because the elastic protein strands in the curds rub against your teeth’s enamel— but it’s also a sign of freshness.

  2. ​It’s takes a lot of milk to make a little bit of cheese

    ​Wisconsin cheese curds are so dang fresh and flavorful because they’re only filled with cheese from Wisconsin milk — and it takes 10 pounds of milk to produce one pound of cheese.

  3. ​Don’t worry, the squeak can be restored

    ​If you don’t finish your bag of cheese curds within two days (although let’s be honest, this would take serious self control), you can simply microwave them to get back them back to their squeaky state.

  4. ​Their insides can vary in color

    ​Because cheese curds are typically made with cheddar cheese, they can sometimes be white inside, or sometimes yellow.

Why We Love National Cheese Curd Day

  1. If you’ve never had one, this is your excuse to (finally) try one…or several

    While cheese curds may be a staple for many people, you may have never had one, and that’s okay. But thanks to National Cheese Curd Day, you now have a reason to try them, so on October 15, make it a priority to get your hands on some.

  2. Use it as an opportunity to try a new dish

    Trying to cook a new dish is a fun challenge (especially when fried cheese is the end result), so if there isn’t a joint frying up cheese curds near you, try whipping up your own on October 15. After all, there’s not a better time to try a cheese curd recipe than on National Cheese Curd Day.

  3. It’s a reason to eat cheese (as if we needed another one)

    If you’re a cheese lover, then National Cheese Curd Day is the holiday for you. But unlike other days where you may just indulge in a meat and cheese platter or cheese and crackers, October 15 is your chance to indulge in gooey cheese curds.

National Cheese Curd Day dates

Year Date Day
2027 October 15 Friday
2028 October 15 Sunday
2029 October 15 Monday
2030 October 15 Tuesday
2031 October 15 Wednesday