Cheese slices are very handy. You can put them in a cheese and ham sandwich for lunch or have grilled cheese. Melt cheese slices over a baked potato or try out cheesy mushroom squares with crunchy capsicum peppers, spring onions, and celery.
Of course, one of the most common uses for cheese slices is in a burger, be it beef, chicken, or vegetarian (see also Can You Freeze McDonalds?). However, what if there is a sale at the store and you stock up on cheese slices? How can you preserve them for later use?
An opened packet will only last for five to six days in the fridge, so can you freeze cheese slices (see also How To Freeze Crackers)? The simple answer is yes, and in this article, we will tell you how to freeze them and how to defrost them.
How To Freeze Cheese Slices
If you have an unopened packet of cheese slices, each of which is individually wrapped, you can just place the packet straight in the freezer. However, if they are not individually wrapped or you decide to slice a block of cheese, this is the way to freeze the slices:
1. Put the slices in a stack.
Put a piece of aluminum foil on your countertop and place the first slice of cheese on top. On top of the cheese, place a piece of parchment paper. Keep doing this until all the cheese slices have been used up. Then, wrap the whole stack tightly in aluminum foil.
2. Put the cheese slices in either an airtight container or a freezer bag.
If you are using a freezer bag, squeeze out all the air so that freezer burn doesn’t occur. Freezer burn will ruin the taste and texture of your cheese slices and may even strip them of their nutrients. Put a label on the container or bag with the date and contents.
3. Put the freezer bag or airtight container in the freezer.
Tips For Freezing Cheese Slices
- Flash-freeze the cheese slices. If you haven’t got any baking parchment handy, you can flash-freeze your cheese slices to stop them from sticking together. All you have to do is lay them out on a baking tray without them touching. This will help to stop the slices from sticking together. Freeze until solid and then put them in an airtight container or freezer bag. However, there is still a slight chance that the cheese slices will stick together. This method isn’t as foolproof as the stack system.
- Squeeze out all the air from the freezer bags to avoid freezer burn.
- If you can, use hard cheese slices as soft cheese has a high water content and doesn’t freeze as well. Good choices are cheddar, asiago, and Manchego.
For How Long Can You Freeze Cheese Slices?
As long as you wrap the cheese slices tightly and squeeze out all the air from the freezer bag, your cheese slices will last for around three months in the freezer, a lot longer than the week or so that they will keep in the fridge. If you leave them for longer in the fridge, they may not spoil but they will start to dry out and become brittle. If you stack them properly, you will be able to remove only as many as you need, and you won’t end up wasting any.
How Do You Defrost Cheese Slices?
The best way to defrost cheese slices is slowly and steadily. This helps the cheese retain color, taste, texture, and nutrients. All you have to do is remove as many as you need from the freezer and put them in the fridge. You don’t need to separate them at this stage as they will thaw just as well if you don’t. It will take around six hours for the cheese slices to defrost depending on how thick they are. Don’t defrost the cheese slices in the microwave as they will lose their texture. Neither should you defrost them at room temperature as, after two hours, bacteria will start to develop, and you could become sick if you eat the cheese.
Can You Refreeze Cheese Slices?
No, you shouldn’t refreeze cheese slices as doing this will easily change the texture of your cheese and it will probably become inedible. In addition, refreezing can cause bacteria to form and the cheese may spoil.
If you freeze your cheese slices in a stack with baking parchment between each slice, you should be able to remove only as many as you need for one day. In this case, there will be no need to refreeze them.
Is It A Good Idea To Freeze Cheese Slices?
Freezing cheese slices is a good way of preserving them for longer (see also Can You Freeze Vegan Cheese?). Of course, you need to take the necessary precautions such as stacking the slices with parchment paper in between and wrapping them tightly in aluminum foil to stop freezer burn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hopefully, you now know all there is to know about freezing cheese slices but in case you are still curious about freezing them and cheese in general, we have answered a few questions here.
Yes, you can, and you can freeze it for up to six months. After this time, it will start to lose taste and texture and may even spoil. When freezing a block of cheese, wrap it tightly in cling film or aluminum foil and put it in a freezer bag, squeezing out all the air.
These slices usually come individually wrapped so you can put them in a freezer bag, still wrapped. They will freeze well.
The reason for this is that it has a high-fat content. However, you still have to wrap the cheese tightly.
Yes, you can. They usually come individually wrapped so all you have to do is keep them in their wrappers and put them in a freezer bag.
Yes, parmesan cheese freezes well because it has a low moisture content. You can freeze both shredded and block parmesan and both will taste the same as fresh parmesan. However, there really hat much need to freeze parmesan as it has a very long shelf life in the fridge even when opened.
Surprisingly, you can. If there is a sale on at the store, why not buy it in bulk and put it straight into the freezer? Alternatively, put it in a freezer bag or airtight container. It will last for up to six months in the freezer.
