Expert-Approved Cheese Storage Solutions

Too often, our eyes are bigger than our stomachs. While we frequently order too much at restaurants and request one too many scoops at ice cream shops, it’s never more apparent than when we’re roaming around Costco with a credit card and an oversized shopping cart. Because between the two rotisserie chickens and the family-sized package of coconut waters, we have undoubtedly added a selection of the wholesaler’s best cheeses.

Since we can’t possibly consume the wedges of Parmigiano Reggiano, blocks of Cheddar, and wheels of Brie we bought in a reasonable timeframe, we turn to our trusty cheese storage solutions. From cheese wraps to glass containersthese expert-recommended picks extend the shelf life of our dairy without putting a huge dent in our wallets. In fact, the options start at just $11 at Amazon.

Expert-Recommended Cheese Storage Solutions

Formaticum Reusable Cheese Storage Sheets, Set of 10

Former cheesemonger, self-proclaimed cheese priestess, and “Cheese Sex Death” author Erika Kubick swears by Kirkland’s Parmigiano Reggiano at Costco. While the 24- or 36-month-aged cheese is only available in 1-pound wedges, it’s easy to eat quickly thanks to its “versatile” flavor profile. But as you make your way through this bulk buy, it’s important to keep it properly covered. Enter: Formaticum Reusable Cheese Storage Sheets. Recommended by award-winning cheese expert Carlos Yescas and buyer for DeLaurenti Food & WineElyse Hoang, this industry-favorite brand lets cheese breathe without drying out. The sheets are also reusable. Simply wash them with warm, soapy water between uses and let them air dry before wrapping your next wedge.

Formaticum Cheese Storage Bag, Set of 15

Formaticum’s 15-pack of storage bags is another great option. Each bag can fit up to half a pound of Brie or Manchego, which might not be the ideal size for Costco’s bulk buys, but works perfectly for products from traditional grocery stores. While you shouldn’t wash these, they can be reused until butterfat stains appear. They also have convenient date and name labels to help you keep track of when you purchased the cheese and what it’s called.

Bee’s Wrap Beeswax Wraps

Bee’s Wrap functions similarly to Formaticum by trapping moisture without suffocating your cheese, but it’s available as a roll rather than pre-cut sheets. Since cheese is always bigger at Costco, the ability to cut a piece down to the correct size could come in handy. So long as you take Yescas’ advice and “wrap your cheese like a gift, ensuring the edges are folded in tightly,” it will stay fresh for longer.

OXO Good Grips 1.6-Cup Glass Storage Container

If you would rather not buy a new product, Hoang recommends repurposing the glass storage containers you already own. They work for “soft, semi-firm, and hard cheeses,” according to Hoang, and don’t transfer odors to or from your cheese to other foods. OXO’s container is a great option since it’s airtight and available in three sizes.

ProKeeper Cheese Container

Yes, Costco’s Garcia Baquero Spanish Cheese Selection is delicious, but in a perfect world, different types of cheese should be stored separately to minimize odor and flavor transfer. If you have multiple wedges and a party heading your way, however, the ProKeeper Cheese Container is a great short-term solution. With a design that looks like a traditional butter dish, it can store and serve a variety of items at once.

Food Huggers Silicone Cheese Huggers, Set of 4

While the gold standard is glass, if you don’t want to use a cheese wrap, reusable silicone is another option. Wraps such as these should only be used for short periods of time to prevent edges from drying out and blocks from contamination. If you’re storing a cut slab of Gruyère for longer than a few days, it’s best to remove it from its original plastic casing and use one of the aforementioned methods.