How To Freeze A Block Of Cheddar Cheese

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Sometimes we need to freeze cheese. Maybe we got a good deal on it, or maybe we stocked up so we don't have to go to the store during the current pandemic. I stocked up over the last month in an attempt to stock a 60-90 day supply of refrigerated food. I always have a 90 day supply of pantry supplies, but I want my husband to go to the store the least amount of times possible for everything else. Freezing is the best way to keep it fresh long-term so I thought I would show you how to freeze a block of cheddar cheese.

The first thing that is important to mention is that cheese doesn't freeze well as a block. You can throw it in the freezer but it will come out crumbly. Probably okay for cooking but there is a better way.

How To Freeze A Block Of Cheddar Cheese

Have I ever told you how much I hate grating cheese? I do. Hate with a capital H. If I ever have to grate cheese on a cheese grater, by hand, I do the bare minimum. I could buy shredded cheese at the store, but a block of cheese is just so much cheaper.

For example: at Walmart, 2 cups of cheddar cheese is around $2.00 ($1/cup). A 24oz. block of cheddar cheese (makes 9.5 cups shredded cheese) is about $5.50 ($.57/cup). That's just about half the cost.

It becomes much easier to grate a whole block of cheese in less than a minute when you use a food processor with a grating attachment. I have a pretty low end food processor and it accomplishes this task perfectly.

So start with a block of cheese, any size, and cut it into long rectangles so that it fits into the chute of the food processor. Or, if you are hand grating, cut it into pieces that are manageable for you to hold.

Feed it carefully into the food processor or start grating by hand. If you are using the food processor use the next block of cheese to push down the one before. When you get to the end, use a wooden spoon handle to carefully feed the last bit of cheese through. Never put your hands below the chute.

It takes about 30 seconds to shred a big block of cheese using a food processor.

Freshly grated cheese is much softer and much stickier than store bought shredded cheese. Before you divide it up and freeze it, you will need to add a little bit of flour.

I divided the shredded cheese into 2 cup portions, in freezer bags; just like what I might buy at the store. Mix 1 Tbsp of flour into each bag and shake it around. Now, it's ready to freeze.

This gives you a great reserve of shredded cheese for casseroles and other recipes.

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