The suitcase is packed, you’re ready to leave, and then you remember the perfectly good food still sitting in your refrigerator. What do you do with items that won’t last until you get home?

A friend recently found herself in this very situation. She had purchased some sliced Muenster cheese but was leaving town for over a week. She reached out to ask what she could do to save it.

Moving food to the icebox is a perfect solution. To reduce the risk of freezer burn, place the cheese in a freezer bag, squeeze out the excess air, and seal the bag tightly. If you would like to use the slices one at a time, separate them with freezer or parchment paper first.

Freezing can affect the texture of cheese, particularly Swiss and cheddar, but it should not deter you from using it. The flavor generally holds up well, and the cheese is still great for cooking.

Cheese contains moisture, and when that moisture freezes, ice crystals form. Those crystals can change the structure of the cheese, which explains why some cheese becomes crumbly after thawing. It does not mean anything is wrong with the cheese. It may simply be better suited for melting into a recipe rather than serving on a cheese board.

Growing up, my mom would purchase large bags of shredded cheese, and we would portion them into smaller freezer bags and put them in the freezer. When we wanted to use the frozen cheese, we would move it to the refrigerator a day before we needed it.

Shredded cheese does not always need to be thawed before using it. If you are adding it to a hot dish, you can often use it directly from the freezer. This is handy when you only need a small amount.

Freezing food does not restore freshness, but it preserves food in its current condition. Think of it as a pause button.

For the best quality, plan to use frozen cheese within six months, as the texture and flavor can decline over time. Labeling the freezer bag with the date is an easy way to keep track.

Before you toss something out because you cannot use it in time, ask yourself: Can I freeze that? You might be surprised how often the answer is yes.