Buying cheese in bulk is a great way to save money on high-quality food. However, most bulk cheese will go bad in the refrigerator before the average family can eat it all. Here’s everything you need to know about vacuum sealing cheese to preserve it for months!
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Why I Started Vacuum Sealing Cheese
I have slowly been working on changing the way that I buy food for my family. Last year, I learned about the convenience and cost-savings benefits of buying food in bulk.
I started by buying meat in bulk for my family from a local farmer. Then, I started building up a bulk dried goods pantry which you can read about in this post.
However, we are still buying most of our dairy products from the store weekly because we do not have a dairy animal.
I recently bought 6 pounds of mozzarella cheese on sale from Azure Standard, and I wanted to learn how to preserve it to last for several months.
Buying cheese in bulk is a great way to save on high-quality cheese that is free of additives that most pre-shredded cheese contains.
After doing some research, I learned that vacuum sealing smaller blocks of cheese is one of the most effective ways of making cheese last for months!
My Vacuum Sealer
A vacuum sealer was on my homesteading tools wish list, and I asked for one for Christmas. My parents generously gifted this one to me.
It was not the cheapest vacuum sealer on the market, but it was half the cost of some of the more-known brands. It has worked great for me with no issues so far!
This post goes into depth about how to use this vacuum sealer.
Other Vacuum Sealer Recommendations by Price
If you aren’t sure if the vacuum sealer I have is the one for you, here are a few other great options based off of reviews!
- FoodSaver V4400 2-in-1 Vacuum Sealer Machine with Automatic Vacuum Sealer Bag Detection and Starter Kit ($199)
- FoodSaver Compact Vacuum Sealer Machine with Airtight Bags and Roll ($69)
- MegaWise Vacuum Sealer Machine ($34)
Vacuum Sealing Cheese: A Step-by-Step Guide
First, start by cutting your cheese into smaller blocks. I cut my 6 lb. block of mozzarella from Azure Standard into 9 squares. I will plan on pulling a square 1-2 times a month depending on what I am making.
Next, wrap each block of cheese in wax paper. This will help preserve some of the moisture in the cheese prior to vacuum sealing. I like to use this wax paper organizer in my kitchen to keep it organized and easy to locate!
After that, put it in a quart-sized (or smaller) vacuum-seal safe bag. Make sure to leave at least 2 inches of space at the top.
Use a vacuum sealer like this one to suck out the air and heat seal the bag shut. Read this post for a step-by-step guide for how to use a vacuum sealer.
Once done, ensure that most of the air around the cheese was removed. If there are large air bubbles, cut the seal and try again. Make sure you line the bags up correctly in the vacuum sealer and press down on the sealer to ensure a tight seal.
Will it Taste Different?
Freezing cheese will impact the taste and texture, so it is best to use it in recipes that require melting it down. It is more likely to impact the quality of soft cheeses than harder cheeses like cheddar.
Frozen cheese may not be the best option for every recipe, but it can still work great with some recipes that call for melted cheese!
How Long Does Vacuum-Sealed Cheese Last?
While some sources claim that frozen cheese can last for 8 or 9 months, most recommended using it up by months 4-6. If you are freezing shredded cheese, it is best to use it within 3-4 months.
Waiting a little longer won’t necessarily cause spoilage, but it will impact the taste and quality of the cheese.
How to Defrost After Vacuum Sealing Cheese
When you are nearing the time that you want to use your block of cheese, remove it from the freezer and let it defrost in the vacuum-sealed bag for 24-48 hours depending on the size of the block.
If you plan to grate the cheese, don’t allow it to defrost completely because it will be easier to shred if it is not entirely thawed.
Once opened, use it within 2-3 days of thawing.
Hard vs. Soft Cheese
From my research, I learned that it is easier to freeze hard cheeses than soft cheeses. According to Glad.com, “It is possible to freeze mozzarella cheese; however, because it is a softer cheese you will have the most success when the mozzarella is shredded. Whereas a hard or semi-hard block of cheese will stay fresh in your freezer up to 6 months, fresh shredded cheeses such as mozzarella will last around 3-4 months.”
Because of how much mozzarella I ordered, I opted for the block method that will last longer. I recommend doing your own research if you are concerned about freezing softer cheeses like mozzarella prior to vacuum sealing.
Recipes for Vacuum Sealed Cheese
I read that freezing cheese can slightly change the taste and texture, so it may be best to use it in recipes that require melting.
Here’s a few ways I plan to use my vacuum sealed mozzarella once defrosting:
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