How to Freeze and Store Cheese | Glad® (2024)

FAQs

How to Freeze and Store Cheese | Glad®? ›

Blocks or large hunks of cheese are ideal for freezing. If they're unopened, freeze them in their original packaging. If you already opened them, freeze them in a resealable plastic bag with as much air removed as possible. Shredded cheeses are fine, too.

Blocks or large hunks of cheese are ideal for freezing. If they're unopened, freeze them in their original packaging. If you already opened them, freeze them in a resealable plastic bag with as much air removed as possible. Shredded cheeses are fine, too.

Before freezing, the moisture in a cheese is distributed evenly throughout its interior, along with fat, protein, and minerals. Freezing turns that moisture into ice crystals, which damages the cheese's structure and can affect whether its texture is crumbly or pliable, firm or pasty after thawing.

In general, hand-crafted cheeses with delicate flavors and aromas don't freeze well and are best bought in smaller portions and eaten fresh. Freezing is also not recommended for fresh curd cheeses like cottage cheese, ricotta, and quark due to their high moisture content.

But cheese is still perfectly safe to freeze for later use, so long as you're okay with a change in texture. Freezing cheese is an effective way to extend its shelf-life, thereby saving you money and reducing food waste.

Store all types of cheese in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator, where the temperature is cold and stable. Use a fresh piece of plastic wrap or wax paper to rewrap cheese after each use. The length of time you can keep cheese differs by variety; in general, the harder the cheese, the longer it will last.

Johnson recommends using cheese paper, butcher paper, or even wax paper. Put the cheese you've wrapped in paper (not plastic!) in another container for extra protection — either Tupperware with holes poked in it or a plastic bag with holes poked in it. The holes are key, as cheese is a living thing.

Freezing cheese should not result in much change to its flavor. It's really just the texture that's likely to change.

How long does cheese last in the freezer? Freezing cheese stops bacterial growth completely. Frozen cheeses should be used within six months of freezing and then used within two to three days of thawing.

Vacuum sealing cheese

This is a good way to preserve cheese, but as mentioned earlier, cheese is a living, breathing organism. Over time, the moisture in the cheese will cause it to deteriorate. So, if you're going to vacuum seal your cheese, wrap it first in wax or parchment paper.

Can I freeze bags of shredded cheese? ›

You can even freeze bags of the pre-shredded stuff (good to know if you're looking at BOGO sale at the supermarket!). Shred the cheese, place it in an airtight, resealable plastic freezer bag, and freeze it for up to three months. (Or just put the store-bought bag of shredded cheese directly into the freezer.)

However, the quality of your cheese can suffer if it's left in the freezer for an extended time. This means that it's generally best to thaw and eat your cheese within 6 months of freezing it for optimal taste and texture.

Freezing provolone cheese can extend its longevity. When placed in freezer-safe packaging, provolone can be preserved for about six months without significant compromise to flavor and texture. However, for ideal quality and taste, using it within six weeks to two months is recommended.

Yes, you can freeze eggs. Eggs can be frozen for up to a year, although it is recommended to use them within 4 months for freshness. Many people find themselves being left with spare egg whites or yolks after a recipe requiring just one or the other, or even throwing out unused eggs when the box hits its expiry date.

"Semi-hard to semi-soft cheeses such as cheddar, gouda, Swiss, and fontina can be wrapped loosely in paper and then loosely in plastic wrap." Similarly, wrap your soft ripened cheeses such as brie loosely in paper, but then place them in a partially sealed plastic bag or small airtight storage container with a cracked ...

Labeling the cheese with the type and date is helpful. Shaved, shredded, grated and crumbled cheese should always be refrigerated, stored in an airtight container and used promptly for best flavor. Some cheeses can even be frozen, although doing so may alter the flavor slightly.

To thaw your cheese, move your airtight container from the freezer to the fridge where it should sit overnight, so it has time to rehydrate and regain some of its original texture. If your cheese is shredded (which we'd recommend for freezing), you can also simply melt it from frozen and skip this step.

Cheese is best stored in the refrigerator as close to the bottom of the appliance as possible - the vegetable compartment is ideal. Wrap it in aluminum foil or waxed paper (waxed paper being the best of the two). Wrapped this way, the cheese will be able to breathe and further develop without drying out.