Blue cheese is also known as blue-veined cheese and has a distinctive smell and flavor. It is due to the bacteria cultivated specially or the penicillium content inside it. It gives the cheese something like veins or spots of green or blue in the cheese.
Can you Freeze Blue Cheese?
Yes, you can freeze blue cheese and use it later. Cut the blue cheese, pack it using aluminum or plastic wrap, put it in the freezer bag or air-tight container, and store it inside the freezer. Apart from freezing, you can also refrigerate it to keep it fresh for up to four weeks.
Step-by-Step Guide to Freeze Blue Cheese
Many different food items use blue cheese as the main ingredient for its flavor, smell, and taste. It has a nice density and sits very well in a frozen state for an indefinite period. By following these simple steps, you can freeze, thaw, and safely use blue cheese:
Step 1: Cut the blue cheese into desirable portions. Alternatively, you may also slice them to preferable amounts that you need to use later. Remember to only cut it as per the amounts of cheese you might use each time you cook.
Step 2: Take an aluminum or a plastic wrap that you can use to pack the blue cheese in individual portions. This step allows for extra protection so that the cheese does not stick with each other.
Step 3: Now, carefully pack the blue cheese and ensure that no part of the cheese remains exposed, and it would avoid the cheese getting freezer burns due to exposure. In case if you are planning on longer storage, you can choose to double wrap it to give it more protection.
Step 4: Place these wrapped cheese in a freezer pouch or Ziploc bag. Ensure that you remove as much air as you possibly can from the container. You can use a straw to suck out the excess air easily.
Step 5: You can place the freezer bag or Ziploc bag in a place that is always consistent in terms of temperature in the freezer. This step keeps the consistency of the blue cheese intact.
Step 6: Use a label to name the package and the date you put it into the freezer. It would ensure that you use the cheese within the use-by date. Labeling food items is necessary to know the date of purchase too.
Step 7: If you are worried about spillage, you can use a plastic container to keep the freezer bag to avoid spills for additional safety.
Other Useful Tips:
- Ensure that the blue cheese is wrapped appropriately to avoid freezer burns. It would also ensure that the bacteria do not come out of the wrap.
- Keep the cheese away from meat or other frozen products. It will avoid cross-contamination if there is any meat stored in your freezer.
- Label the packs with the purchase date, frozen date, and use-by date. Mention its weight if you had particularly cut the cheese in certain portions.
Is it Safe to Freeze Blue Cheese?
Yes. You can use the frozen blue cheese later, and it is safe. It is also possible for you to refrigerate it and use it within four weeks. Frozen cheese can be used within six months without losing its flavor, taste, or smell. Using an air-tight container, freezer-safe bag, or Ziploc bag ensures that it remains safe and stored appropriately.
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How to Thaw Frozen Blue Cheese?
It is vital to follow the simple process of thawing in order to retain all the elements of blue cheese. Defrosting or thawing the blue cheese in the refrigerator is considered the best option. You can also use an alternative method if you want the process to be quick. We take a look at both the available options below.
The steps for the first method are as follows:
Step 1: Take the frozen blue cheese from the refrigerator and unpack it from the freezer-safe bag or Ziploc bag that you had used.
Step 2: Place it in a container along with the aluminum or plastic wrapping. It is to make sure that any potential spillage would not create a mess in the refrigerator.
Step 3: Keep the container in the refrigerator and allow for it to sit overnight. Sometimes, it may need to be in the fridge for up to 24 hours to complete the thawing process.
Step 4: You may need to keep it in the refrigerator for more time if you have frozen the blue cheese in large quantities.
Step 5: Once the thawing is complete, you can unwrap the wrapping. Before unwrapping the packs, you can pat them dry with paper tissue or a towel. It removes the potential water content from the packaging that might come in contact with the cheese while unwrapping.
The second method is used when you do not have enough time to thaw it in the refrigerator. The steps for the second method are as follows:
Step 1: Remove the Ziploc bag or freezer-safe bag from the freezer. Take the packaged blue cheese and keep it in a vessel with cold water.
Step 2: Keep changing the cold water often so the process can be over quickly.
Step 3: After a few hours in the vessel, you can remove it and pat it dry. Using a dry towel or a paper tissue is suggested to remove water on the packages.
Step 4: Remove the packaging or wrapping, and the cheese is ready to use or be cooked.
Other Useful Tips:
- In case if you are about to prepare a dish using the blue cheese, you can skip the thawing process.
- In order not to lose any flavor, taste, or if you want to use the cheese uncooked, you must thaw it properly.
- Remember that the refrigerator thawing of cheese is a suitable option for the best results.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
Can you freeze blue cheese crumbles?
Yes, you can freeze blue cheese crumbles, and you have to keep the original package in a freezer container or Ziploc bag. It is best to use heavy-duty freezer bags if you need to keep them frozen for more than two months.
Can you freeze blue cheese dressing?
Although there is a chance, it is not the best option to freeze blue cheese dressing. It is because they contain other dairy products, which tend to get separated when you thaw them, and it might end up creating a mess that you would ideally not like.
Can you freeze blue cheese sauce?
Yes, the frozen blue cheese sauce can be kept in this state for six months. It is relatively best to use a Ziploc bag, an air-tight container, or a freezer-safe bag, and it avoids the blue cheese sauce suffering freezer burns.
Can you freeze blue cheese dip?
Yes, you can freeze blue cheese dip as long as it is prepared appropriately. It also has to be stored in an air-tight container, Ziploc bag, or a freezer-safe bag and thawed well before being used. You can freeze it despite the dip having dairy products in it.
Can you freeze blue cheese butter?
Yes, blue cheese butter sits well in a frozen state for up to six months. The packaging of the blue cheese butter in a freezer-safe bag is necessary for its original container. It allows it to stay consistent for longer.
Can you freeze blue cheese-stuffed olives?
Yes, blue cheese-stuffed olives can stay frozen for nearly six months. If you are storing these in a refrigerator, you can keep them in the fridge and use them for around three weeks.
Can you freeze blue cheeseburgers?
It depends on what state the burgers are purchased. Raw meat with blue cheese can be frozen with ease. However, it is better to use a plastic wrap around each patty to ensure it does not stick together.
Can you freeze Danish blue cheese?
Yes, Danish blue cheese can be frozen and used for up to 6 months. Since it is soft, you should take precautions with packing, freezing, thawing, and using it. Following specific steps can help retain the originality of the cheese, its texture, and its flavor.
Can you freeze homemade blue cheese?
Yes, you can freeze and store homemade blue cheese. Do not freeze homemade blue cheese for more than two months for the best results, and it would help retain its flavor and taste.
Can you freeze soft blue cheese?
Yes, you can freeze soft blue cheese. Since it is similar to Danish blue cheese, following the same steps is vital. For instance, you have to be extra cautious while storing, freezing, and defrosting this cheese.
Can you freeze Cornish blue cheese?
Yes, you can freeze Cornish blue cheese. This cheese can stay frozen for an indefinite period before being used. However, the best time for it to remain frozen is six months.
Can you freeze Shropshire blue cheese?
Yes, Shropshire blue cheese can be frozen, and it also needs to be wrapped in a wrap, stored in an air-tight container, and remain in the freezer. In addition, it can last for about 5 to 6 months.
Can you freeze Cashel’s blue cheese?
Yes, Cashel blue cheese can be frozen. For freezing it, you can simply follow the above steps we have mentioned: storing in aluminum or plastic wrap, putting in a Ziploc bag, and finally freezing it in the freezer.
Conclusion
Freezing blue cheese in different forms is easy with the above steps. You have to remember that frozen blue cheese would stay put for up to two months without losing any of its original properties. However, you can choose to freeze it and use it for up to six months in a frozen state.
Keeping blue cheese refrigerated can help it remain good for up to four weeks. Remember, blue cheese can be frozen and used indefinitely but would end up losing specific properties when it remains in the freezer for longer.
