Can You Freeze Gruyere Cheese? The Complete Guide

Ayub KhanandRehmat DietitianMarch 15, 2023Last Updated: April 12, 2023

4 minutes read

Table of Contents

In this article, you will know the answer to the query “Can You Freeze Gruyere Cheese? The Complete Guide“.

The yellow-colored Gruyere cheese comes from Switzerland.

Its origins can be traced back to the Swiss cantons of Berne, Fribourg, Jura, Vaud, and Neuchatel.

Fribourg’s Gruyeres town is the inspiration behind its name.

Swiss-type cheeses, such as Gruyere, are classified as Alpine cheeses.

Despite its saltiness, it has a sweet taste.

As it ages, the flavor of this cheese tends to change, and at its early stage, it is described as creamy and nutty.

The complexity, assertiveness, and earthiness of Gruyere Cheese tend to increase with age.

Cow’s milk is used to make this cheese, which is cured for over six months or even longer.

As a table cheese, it also melts perfectly, which is why many people like it.

Additionally, you can create delicious recipes such as “Gruyere Cheese Puffs,” “Creamy Gruyere Spaghetti,” “Classic Potato Gratin with Gruyere Cheese,” and “Creamy Lemon Gruyere Pasta.”.

Can you freeze gruyere cheese? You can freeze Gruyere cheese easily and conveniently.

You won’t have any problems freezing this cheese because it responds well to freezing temperatures.

You can freeze it for later use and extend its shelf life.

Does Freezing Affect Gruyere Cheese?

You won’t notice any difference in the taste or quality of Gruyere cheese if you freeze it.

It is unlikely that there will be any significant effects, even if there are.

Why? Gruyere, for instance, tends to last longer in the freezer than other cheeses.

After thawing many kinds of cheese, especially the sliced ones, they turn brittle.

There are times when they can’t be separated because they stick together too tightly.

When it comes to Gruyere cheese, you are on the safe side.

However, for safety reasons, you should always take certain precautions when storing it.

It is a good idea to cut your Gruyere cheese into reasonable half-pound blocks.

If you want to go the extra mile, you can always buy cheese papers for better storage.

How To Freeze Gruyere Cheese?

There is no technical aspect to freezing this cheese. It is a straightforward process.

When you buy shredded gruyere cheese from the market, you can freeze it straight from the package by resealing it.

For full gruyere cheese, you must follow the following steps:

Step 1: Cutting It

Start cutting up your cheese once it has been unwrapped.
If you divide your cheese block into several portions, you can thaw it easily. In addition to getting better practical results, you will also save time.

Step 2: First Wrapping

Remove the parchment paper or plastic wrap from the fridge.
All portions should be covered with it at once.
You can accomplish this by removing a large section of the wrapper and covering the cheese completely. Additionally, you need to smooth the surface with your hands to ensure there are no wrinkles.

Step 3: Sealing

Ensure that the cheese is properly sealed inside the wrap by double-checking it.
To prevent the cheese from drying out, you have to wrap it in order to prevent it from drying out.
For a stronger seal, apply some tape to its edges.

Step 4: Second Wrapping

In this step, you will need to refer back to the first wrapping process. Prior to sealing everything, you will need at least two extra layers.
It is important to check again that the tight seal is still intact. It’s not a good idea to keep Gruyere cheese in the freezer if it’s going to dry out.

Step 5: Using Freezer Bag

When all the items have been successfully wrapped, place them inside a freezer bag.
Make sure the bag is completely airtight before sealing. By pressing and rolling the bag, you can push out as much air as possible.
Seal the bag completely by ensuring it is airtight.

Step 6: Labelling & Freezing

Last but not least, you need to label your bag with a permanent marker.
Make a note of the freezing date and the number of portions you have frozen.
Now, you can put the cheese inside the freezer.

It is possible to freeze gruyere cheese for over six months.

The food can even be frozen for additional months if you know how to store and handle it properly.

In addition to how you manage it, a lot has to do with the shelf-life of the product.

How To Thaw Frozen Gruyere Cheese?

You can defrost frozen gruyere cheese by following these steps:

Once the cheese is removed from the bag, you can proceed to cut it into desired shapes.
The Gruyere should now be placed on a plate without being unwrapped.
Place it inside the fridge overnight to thaw. Depending on the size of the cheese, you might need to thaw it for a longer period of time.
It is advisable to remove the cheese from the refrigerator as soon as possible and use it as soon as possible.

Caution

It is never a good idea to defrost frozen cheese at room temperature. A crumbly texture develops when they dry out quickly.
When thawing it in the fridge, keep the temperature between 35 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The higher the temperature, the higher the risk of foodborne illness.
As it thaws, you should check every five or six hours. The thawing process can take a long time.
You should also avoid microwaving your cheese.

Conclusion

The versatility of Gruyere Cheese allows it to pair well with a wide range of dishes.

In addition to mustard, wine, crackers, bread, fruits, beer, whiskey, and pecans, it is also great with cheese.

Gratins and quiches, which are cheese-infused comfort foods, benefit from the subtle sweetness and creamy texture of this cheese.

Menaquinone, or Vitamin K2, is another interesting and unique nutritional characteristic of Gruyere.

The aging process of this probiotic cheese takes place between five and 24 months, giving it a mild-strong taste.

The cheese is often bought in huge chunks and frozen for long-term storage.