Affiliate Disclosure As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links. For more details, refer to my Disclaimer page.
Yes, you can freeze cheese, but not all types freeze equally well. Hard and semi-hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan, Gouda, and Red Leicester freeze well and will keep for up to 6 months. Soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and cream cheese do not fare nearly as well.
This post takes a look at the best cheese for freezing and considers those that don't freeze well too.
Contents
Which Cheeses Freeze Well?
|
Cheese Type |
Freezes Well? |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Cheddar |
Yes |
May become slightly crumbly. Best grated before freezing. |
|
Parmesan |
Yes |
Grate before freezing for easy use. |
|
Gouda |
Yes |
Retains flavour well. |
|
Red Leicester |
Yes |
Texture may be more crumbly. Good for cooking. |
|
Mozzarella (low-moisture) |
Yes |
Shredded freezes best. Fresh mozzarella does not freeze well. |
|
Halloumi |
Yes |
Freezes and cooks from frozen perfectly well. |
|
Brie/Camembert |
No |
Becomes grainy and can develop off flavours. |
|
Cream cheese |
No |
Becomes grainy and watery. Only use in cooking after freezing. |
|
Cottage cheese |
No |
Too high in moisture. Separates badly. |
|
Feta |
Not ideal |
Can be frozen but becomes crumbly. Better used in cooked dishes after. |
How to Freeze Cheese
- Grated cheese: This is my absolute number one preferred way of freezing cheese. Place in a freezer bag, squeeze out excess air and then freeze flat. You can use it straight from frozen - just sprinkle it onto pizzas, pasta bakes, or toast.
- Block cheese: Wrap tightly in cling film, then place in a freezer bag or airtight container. Double wrapping prevents freezer burn and stops the cheese transferring its smell to other items.
- Sliced cheese: Place sheets of baking parchment or baking paper between each slice to prevent them sticking together, then store in a freezer bag.
How Long Does Frozen Cheese Last?
In our house - not long! Hard cheese keeps for up to 6 months in the freezer. For the best flavour and texture, aim to use it within 3 months. In the UK, the Food Standards Agency advises freezing cheese before its use-by date and eating within 24 hours of defrosting.
How to Defrost Frozen Cheese
Move the cheese from the freezer to the fridge and allow it to thaw overnight (at least 8-12 hours for a block). Do not defrost at room temperature. Use within 3 days of defrosting. This ensures a slow and steady defrost without compromising quality of safety.
For cooking, you can often use frozen cheese directly. Grated cheese can go straight onto a pizza, into a sauce, or onto a bake without thawing first.
Tips for Best Results
- Frozen cheese is best used in cooked dishes rather than on a cheeseboard. The texture change is less noticeable when melted so consider using it on pizzas or pasta dishes.
- Grating cheese before freezing is the most practical approach. It defrosts quickly and is ready to use immediately.
- Wrap cheese well. It picks up flavours from other items in the freezer very easily. Consider using an airtight storage box.
- Do not refreeze cheese once thawed.
FAQs On Cheese Freezing
Yes. Separate slices with baking parchment and store in a freezer bag. They may be slightly drier once thawed but are fine for sandwiches and toasties.
Yes, though it may separate slightly when reheated. Whisk it well over a low heat to bring it back together. Disguise any disasters by baking into cheese straws.
Hard cheeses retain their flavour well. The main change is texture, which becomes more crumbly.
Yes. Wrap it tightly in cling film and then in a freezer bag. It will keep for up to 6 months. For best results, keep it in the original packaging and freeze straight away.
From my experience cheese which is grated gives the best results from freezing. Typically cheese which is going to end up getting melted or incorporated into a bread recipe will not be as obvious if it was frozen first.
As always, experiment and have fun. Let me know in the comments of your success (and failures!)
More posts like this
Comments
No Comments
Leave a Reply