Just came home from the grocer and realized that I bought one too many blue cheeses. Now I have a problem with storing it. Can you freeze blue cheese? Please help me as I do not want to waste money by throwing it away.
Storing cheese and other dairy products is a bit tricky. Given the nature of these products, it’s prone to spoilage. Blue cheese, in particular, has a shorter shelf life as compared to other types of cheese.
However, to answer your question, blue cheese can be frozen! But there are steps to follow to properly freeze it. Aside from that, you also have to be aware of the texture, smell, and taste of the blue cheese when it’s fresh to avoid eating spoiled food.
Blue cheese is known for its ‘moldy’ appearance and distinct smell. Its appearance and smell can be attributed to the cultures of the mold Penicillium in it. It is one of the oldest known types of cheese which traces back its origin from AD 79.
Most people are terrified of blue cheese because of its appearance but it has a lot of health benefits. It aids in fighting arthritis which can be attributed to its anti-inflammatory properties. Aside from that, it is also helpful in maintaining a healthy heart and a sharp memory. Studies have also shown that it is a good source of protein and phosphorus.
As aforementioned, blue cheese can indeed be frozen. However, there are a lot of downsides to this. The blue cheese loses its flavor when it’s been frozen for a long time. Its texture is also greatly altered.
Blue cheese is a semi-soft cheese which makes it harder to preserve. Hard cheeses like Edam and Cheddar are easier to preserve than soft and semi-soft cheeses.
Because of its very nature, blue cheese can only be frozen and stored for a maximum period of two months.
It is also important to note that blue cheese becomes more pungent as the days go by. Spoilt blue cheese’s smell resembles that of ammonia.
To preserve blue cheese, carefully follow the steps enumerated below:
- Observe the cheese. Familiarize yourself with its smell. Note how a fresh blue cheese smells. Inspect its blue veins closely. This would help you distinguish whether or not the cheese is spoilt in the future.
- Cut the blue cheese into several pieces. Previously frozen cheese cannot be refrozen. It is important to cut the cheese into smaller pieces so not all the cheese is thawed every time there is a need to use it.
- Double wrap the individually cut cheese. Make sure it is not exposed to the air.
- Place the wrapped cheese into a re-sealable bag. Squeeze out the excess air from the bag. Make sure there is no air as the presence of air can hasten the spoiling of the cheese.
- Place it inside the freezer in a location where it will have minimal interaction with the other contents.
- When thawing it out, place the cheese in a place at room temperature.
How To Use Up Extra/Leftover Blue Cheese?
Blue cheese is a delicious and flavorful cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes. But what do you do when you have extra blue cheese? Here are five delicious ways to use up your leftover blue cheese:
- Make a salad dressing – Blue cheese dressing is a delicious and easy way to use up your leftover blue cheese. Just combine some blue cheese, vinegar, and oil, and you’ve got a tasty dressing for your greens.
- Spread it on crackers – Crackers and blue cheese are a classic pairing that makes for a delicious and easy snack. Just spread some blue cheese on your favorite crackers, and you’re good to go.
- Add it to soup – Blue cheese can also be added to soup to give it a flavor boost. Just crumble some blue cheese into your favorite soup, and you’ll have a delicious and hearty meal in no time.
- Make blue cheese dip – Blue cheese dip is a great way to use up extra blue cheese. Just combine some blue cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream, and you’ve got a delicious dip that’s perfect for chips or veggies.
- Use it as a pizza topping – If you’re feeling adventurous, try using blue cheese as a pizza topping. It may sound strange, but the flavorful cheese can actually be quite delicious on pizza. Just give it a try!
So there you have it – five delicious ways to use up your leftover blue cheese. Next time you find yourself with extra cheese, try one of these recipes and enjoy!
Here are some great recipes using blue cheese:
Blue Cheese Steak
Who knew you could put blue cheese on steak! This recipe recreates good ol’ steak using a few ingredients. All you need is your favorite cut of steak, 3 slices of onion, and blue cheese. Watch how this yummy dish is made here:
Blue Cheese Pasta
What goes well with steak? Pasta! Pair up your blue cheesesteak with this blue cheese pasta! This pasta is a reimagination of mac and cheese. Check this video out for the full recipe:
Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing
Cheese is perfect for making any dip or dressing. This recipe makes use of blue cheese in making a dressing perfect for everything! Watch how it’s made here:
Wrap Up
Yes, you can freeze blue cheese. This cheese has a very long shelf life and can be kept for several months in the freezer. It doesn’t have to be fully wrapped, just seal it with a lid or plastic wrap. However, if you still want to fully wrap it in plastic or foil, do it tightly. Here are some more steps for freezing blue cheese: place the cheese in the freezer bag and make sure to push out any excess air, seal tightly, make sure the label states that it is blue cheese and its expiration date, store properly in your freezer.
Now that you know how to freeze your blue cheese, please let me know if you have any experience with it in the comment section below.