To save money I like to buy cheese in bulk and/or when it’s on sale. We’re a family of four, so we can’t eat it all at once. That’s why I freeze it for later use. When it comes to freezing cheese…you want to avoid freezing soft cheeses. Stick to the hard cheese and you’ll be pleased with the results.
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Block Cheese – You should unwrap the cheese and inspect it. Make sure there’s no mold and that it smells correctly. Shred the cheese using a food processor or manual block grater and shredder. The “shreds” should be uniform in size and thickness. Measure the shreds out in 1, 2 or 3 cup portions per your family’s use. Pack it into freezer bags, purge out the air and zip them close. Label and date. Store the bags flat in the freezer or upright in a shelf on the door.
I don’t recommend packing it into freezer containers and here’s why: You can’t purge out the air which causes ice crystals and freezer burn. Second, the containers take up too much space in the freezer. I recommend using freezer bags. If those things don’t bother you…use the containers.
Pre-Packaged Shredded Cheese – Inspect each bag without opening it for any mold. Make sure the “Use by date” is still valid. These can be frozen in their original bags/packaging. I like to write the date that I placed them into the freezer on the outside of the bag. You can store them lying flat on a shelf or standing upright inside the freezer door.
Use Tips – For most recipes you can use the cheese straight from the freezer. Examples: lasagna, manicotti, macaroni and cheese, baked stuff bell peppers, etc. Any recipe that requires “baking” you can use it straight from the freezer. If you want to use it for morning omelets, scrambled eggs, baked potato toppers, in tacos, etc. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or for 1-2 hours on your counter-top. Once thawed it should be used within a week.
Use By: They recommend that you use up the frozen cheese within 3 months so that the texture, quality and taste is maintained. However, I’ve successfully have kept shredded cheese just fine in my freezer for up to 6 months. Always inspect it for mold, texture and quality before using it.
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