Can You Freeze Blue Cheese?

You can freeze blue cheese for up to 6 months as long as it is kept in an airtight container. When thawed, it will be a little more crumbly and brittle than it is when fresh.

How to Freeze Blue Cheese

Blue cheese is a cheese that is semi soft and has added mold cultures to it which create bluish lines or veins in it. It has a tangy sort of salty flavor and is used in many dishes from melting on sandwiches, to snacking with crackers, to baking in casseroles.

Perhaps you only need a little blue cheese for a recipe and won't use the rest before it goes bad or perhaps you found a banging sale and want to stock up, in either of these situations you might be looking to find a way to extend the shelf life of your blue cheese.

Freezing blue cheese is a viable option, as long as you keep a few things in mind. Just like my freezing other cheeses such as parmesan cheese, feta or marscapone cheese, when you freeze blue cheese the fat will break down a little bit due to the crystallization that happens when freezing. This results in a slightly less creamy and product.

So, keep in mind that when defrosted, the cheese will tend to be a little more brittle and crumbly than when it's fresh.

If you're okay with this texture change, then use one of the below methods to extend the shelf life of your blue cheese.

Freezing as a block or cubes

If you have a large block of blue cheese, you can freeze it as is or you can slice it or cube it depending on what your ultimate use will be.

• Choose use. decide how you'll use your cheese once it's frosted and either keep it as a block or a slice or cube it.
• Wrap it. To give a little extra layer of protection, use plastic wrap your blue cheese.
• Package it. Place your wrapped cheese in either a freezer bag or an airtight container.
• Seal it. Place the lid on your container or zip your freezer bag shut. If using a freezer bag, press out any air before fully sealing it.
• Label it. Use a marker or pen and write the date on your container or bag.
• Freeze it. Toss your packaged cheese into the freezer.

Freezing as crumbles

Blue cheese also comes in crumbles which are equally easy to freeze.

• Flash freeze. To help keep the crumbles from sticking together, you'll need to flash reason first. To do this, lay them in a single layer on a cookie sheet and stick it in the freezer. It should take several hours for the cheese to fully freeze.
• Package it. Once Frozen, remove the cookie sheet from the freezer and pour your frozen blue cheese into an airtight container or freezer bag.
• Seal it. Place the lid on your container or zip your bag shut. If you're using a freezer bag, make sure there is no extra air left in the bag when you zip it.
• Label it. Make sure to write the date on your container or freezer bag.
• Freeze it. Toss your container or freezer bag into your freezer.

Tips for successful freezing

No matter what method above you choose to use, follow these key tips to have the most successful freezing experience.

• Do it fresh. The fresher the cheese is when you freeze it, the better the quality will be in the longer will last in your freezer.
• Decide the use. Decide how you might use the thawed cheese and this will determine whether you freeze it as a block, slice it or grate it.
• Make it airtight. Making sure that your blue cheese is kept in an airtight container will both add some protection to the cheese as well as keep the strong odor from permeating your freezer.

Supplies/Equipment Needed:

• Ziploc Bags
• Plastic Wrap
• Aluminum Foil
• Marker or Pen
• Airtight Freezer Container

How to Defrost Blue Cheese

Defrosting blue cheese is super simple. All you need to do is remove it from your freezer and then toss it into your refrigerator overnight. Depending on the thickness and size of the block that you have frozen, it may take over 8 hours to defrost.

While it might be tempting to speed up the defrosting process by putting it in the microwave, leaving it on the counter, or running it under warm water these methods are not the best ways to defrost it. They create a quicker change of temperature which can lead to safety issues and also be further detrimental to the texture and taste.

How to Use Thawed Blue Cheese

Due to the fact that thought blue cheese would be a little more crumbly and brittle than fresh blue cheese, it's not as recommended to eat as a snack on crackers or bread. Although you still can do this. Here are a few ways to use your thawed blue cheese:

• cheese-based or creamy sauces
• melted on sandwiches or burgers
• in soups
• as dressing
• in dips
• in casseroles

Freezing Blue Cheese FAQ

Does blue cheese go bad in the freezer?

No, blue cheese does not go bad in the freezer. Anytime you free something it's basically like pushing a pause button on its shelf life. Although, the texture and flavor can degrade over time.

Can you freeze blue cheese crumbles?

Yes, you can freeze blue cheese crumbles. You will want to flash freeze them first and then place them in a freezer bag so that they don't stick together.

How long does blue cheese last in the freezer?

Blue cheese, like most cheeses, can last up to 6 months in the freezer and maintain the quality. However, it can be kept longer and still be safely eaten.