Freezing Blue Cheese: How Long Can You Store It?

Blue cheese is a pungent, mould-ripened cheese with a distinct smell and taste. When stored correctly, it can last for several months. If you're wondering how long blue cheese will last in the freezer, the answer is—indefinitely! Frozen blue cheese will maintain its best quality for about 6 months, but it will remain safe to eat beyond that time. To ensure the cheese stays fresh for as long as possible, cut it into portions no larger than half a pound each and wrap them tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap. Alternatively, place the portions into a heavy-duty freezer bag.

How to store blue cheese in the freezer

Blue cheese can be stored in the freezer for up to six months for the best taste and texture. It can be kept in the freezer indefinitely if stored at a constant temperature of 0°F, but it may become crumbly and lose some of its flavour.

To prepare blue cheese for freezing, cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each. Then, wrap the cheese tightly in heavy-duty plastic freezer wrap or aluminium foil, or place it inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. For extra protection, you can double-wrap the cheese by first wrapping it in wax or parchment paper and then covering it with plastic wrap or foil. If you are using a freezer bag, place the double-wrapped cheese inside and seal tightly.

To thaw frozen blue cheese, transfer it to the refrigerator and allow it to defrost slowly. Once defrosted, it can be kept in the refrigerator for an additional 3-4 days. Frozen and thawed blue cheese is best suited for cooked dishes, such as sauces, soups, and casseroles.

How long does unopened blue cheese last in the freezer?

The shelf life of unopened blue cheese depends on its packaging. If it's wrapped in cheese paper and inside a carton package, it will likely have a short shelf life. If it's sealed airtight, it will stay good for much longer. The exact answer depends on storage conditions, but generally, unopened blue cheese can last for several months and even up to a year when stored in a refrigerator.

To maximize the shelf life of blue cheese, it should be wrapped well so that it doesn't dry out, but it should also have some breathing room. The best temperature for storing blue cheese is between 46°F–55°F (or 8°C–13°C). This is the temperature at which the cheese matures, and it is usually colder in a typical refrigerator, so putting the cheese in the crisper drawer can help.

Blue cheese can also be stored in the freezer. If it is kept in the freezer at 0°F, it can last indefinitely, although for best taste and texture, it shouldn't be kept frozen for more than six months. To freeze a wedge of blue cheese, cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each and wrap it tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it inside a heavy-duty freezer bag.

How long does opened blue cheese last in the freezer?

Blue cheese is a pungent and salty cheese with a distinct smell and flavour. It can be kept in the freezer for up to six months while maintaining its best quality. However, it will remain safe to eat even beyond that time if stored properly at a constant temperature of 0°F.

Freezing blue cheese is a great way to extend its shelf life, especially if you have opened the packet or started the wedge and want to finish it later. The key to successful freezing is to cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each and wrap them tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap. Alternatively, you can place the portions into heavy-duty freezer bags.

When it comes to storing blue cheese in the refrigerator, it is best to finish the cheese within three to four weeks of opening the package. To maximise its shelf life, wrap the cheese tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil, or for even better protection, wrap it first in wax or parchment paper and then cover it with plastic wrap before refrigerating.

Properly stored, a wedge of blue cheese will last for about one to two months in the refrigerator. However, it is important to note that the cheese will gradually become saltier and more biting over time, so it is best to consume it as soon as possible after opening.

Additionally, blue cheese that has been frozen and then thawed will have a slightly altered texture and flavour. It may become crumbly and lose some of its sharpness, making it better suited for cooked dishes such as sauces, soups, and casseroles.

How to tell if blue cheese has gone bad

Blue cheese is a pungent-tasting and smelling cheese that is perfectly safe to eat, despite its mouldy appearance. However, it can still go bad, and there are several ways to tell if this has happened.

Firstly, smell the cheese. Fresh blue cheese has a strong scent, but when it starts to go bad, it will develop an ammonia-like smell. If you are unsure, compare the smell to when you first bought the cheese.

Secondly, look at the colour. Fresh blue cheese has blue or green mould in it, but the creamy part should be white, beige, or yellow. If this has changed to pink, brown, or green, the cheese has likely gone bad.

Thirdly, examine the texture. If the surface of the cheese appears slimy or fuzzy, it has probably gone bad.

Finally, taste the cheese. Fresh blue cheese has a strong, sharp taste, but when it goes bad, it becomes even more biting. If the blue cheese is too strong to enjoy, it has probably gone bad.

In most cases, eating a small amount of spoiled blue cheese won't make you sick, so tasting it is not dangerous. However, if you are unsure, it is always best to throw the cheese away.

How to store blue cheese in the refrigerator

Blue cheese is notoriously difficult to store, as it is susceptible to oxidising and losing its surface moisture. It is also a very wet cheese, which can make it go off more quickly.

To store blue cheese in the refrigerator, it is important to strike a balance between humidity, airflow and breathability. Blue cheese likes to be stored in a high-humidity climate, but the tricky part is ensuring that the cheese stays in a humid climate without trapping moisture. Trapped moisture can cause the emergence of unwanted, pinkish bacteria that is inedible.

One way to store blue cheese is to wrap it in wax or parchment paper, then cover it with plastic wrap or foil before refrigerating. If you are concerned about the cheese picking up the scent or flavours of other items in your refrigerator, place it in an airtight container after it has been wrapped.

Make sure to store blue cheese on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, as the lower section is usually the coldest. If your refrigerator has drawers at the bottom, this is an ideal place to store blue cheese, as the temperature will remain stable.

Another option is to use a Cheese Grotto, which self-regulates humidity with a clay brick humidifier and has a breathable back panel to allow fresh air to circulate around the cheese.

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