Can You Freeze Cheese?
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As cookbook authors with hungry kiddos, cheese is a staple ingredient in many of our most popular recipes. We always seem to have several varieties on hand! Yet, we often have a wedge of this or package of that hiding in the fridge and starting to spoil before we can use it. The solution? Freeze the cheese!
Freeze the Cheese!
While you can freeze cheese, according to our tests and experts from the Cook’s Illustrated test kitchen, there is one little caveat: the texture may be affected.
Once frozen and defrosted, most hard and semi-hard cheese blocks will crumble when you try to slice or grate them. However, when baked into a recipe or melted, any change often goes unnoticed.
Soft cheeses like goat cheese, cream cheese, ricotta cheese, and high-moisture cheeses like fresh mozzarella often weep liquid once frozen and defrosted. This leads to a grainy texture. This is also true of Velveeta “cheese”, which Kraft recommends to avoid freezing.
Prepackaged shredded cheese from the store is a different story. Because of the anti-caking additives in the packages, this form of cheese tends to freeze and thaw well in our tests.
We recommend sticking to hard or semi-hard cheeses when it comes to freezing, and using them in recipes that call for grated, crumbled, or shredded cheese that will be melted.
Good cheese candidates for freezing include:
- Cheddar
- Monterey Jack
- Swiss
- Provolone
- Part-skim/low-moisture mozzarella
- Parmesan
- Gouda
How to Freeze Different Types of Cheeses
- Shredded cheese – store-bought shredded cheese can be frozen directly in the original packaging. Or, you can shred a block of cheese (use our simple instructions!) and store it in an airtight freezer-safe bag.
- Cheese slices – the layers of wax paper between sliced cheese make it very easy to freeze directly in the packaging or in an airtight freezer-safe bag.
- Cheese blocks – slice into portions that you would use in a recipe. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag.
How long can it be frozen?
According to the USDA, as long as frozen food is kept at 0°F in the freezer, it is safe to consume for an indefinite amount of time.
While this is something we noted in writing our cookbooks, From Freezer to Table and From Freezer to Cooker, our testing has proven that most frozen foods, including cheese, should be consumed within 3-6 months for optimal flavor and freshness.
How to Thaw Frozen Cheese
We have found that shredding cheese before freezing helps it defrost better. The frozen shredded cheese can be used straight from the freezer! This post outlines our best tips for shredding cheese and why you should do it yourself. For blocks or wedges of frozen cheese, we recommend defrosting them overnight in the refrigerator. According to the U.S. Dairy Council, a slow defrost in the fridge allows moisture to go back into the cheese and keep it from drying out. You should plan on using thawed cheese as soon as possible.
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FAQs
Freezing is not recommended for fresh curd cheeses like cottage cheese, ricotta, and quark due to their high moisture content.
Cheese should be eaten 2-3 days after thawing.
Recipes to Use Up Your Frozen Cheese
Chicken Parmesan Casserole
This is by far one of the most popular (and simple) recipes on Thriving Home. Shredded chicken, flavorful marinara sauce, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, and a crunchy breadcrumb topping make up this quick and comforting casserole. Enjoy “as is” or serve over pasta.
Make-Ahead Lunch Wraps
Can you freeze wraps? You bet!! These make ahead freezer-friendly lunch wraps are nutritious, hearty, and completely adaptable to whatever your family might like in them! They even made our top list of vegetarian meals for kids, because all ages like these!
Breakfast Egg Muffins
Looking for an easy breakfast idea? We love this easy Breakfast Egg Muffin recipe. It’s made with simple ingredients that you likely have in your kitchen. These make a fabulous, freezer-friendly breakfast. For sure worth a try!
Slow Cooker Cheddar and Bacon Potato Soup
When the air turns crisp and the leaves start to change, making a comforting batch of this Crockpot Potato Soup is mandatory. Hearty veggies, bacon, cheddar cheese, and more make this soup creamy, decadent, and filled with flavor. Bonus: your home will smell cozy and delicious, too!
Bottom Line: Can You Freeze Cheese?
You can freeze cheese, but the texture may be altered. The best types of cheese to freeze are shredded and sliced hard or semi-hard cheeses. Most frozen cheeses can still be used for melting and baking without a noticeable difference in texture.
What Else Can You Freeze?
Wondering what else you can stock up on and freeze? Here are more well-researched and well-tested articles we wrote from our experience.
- How to Freeze Tortillas
- How to Freeze Butter
- How to Freeze Muffins
- How to Freeze Bananas
- How to Freeze Zucchini
- How to Freeze Rice
- How to Freeze Avocados
- How to Freeze Cheese
- How to Freeze Pesto
- How to Freeze Quiche
- How to Freeze Chicken Pot Pie
- How to Freeze Chicken and Dumplings
- How to Freeze White Chicken Chili
- How Long Steak Is Good in the Freezer
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