How to Freeze Cheese

Cheese is a staple in most households, but many people don’t know that it can be frozen and stored for later use. This is excellent news for people who don’t have time to eat all of their cheese before it goes bad.

When you think about it, it’s strange that we don’t freeze cheese more often. It’s one of the best ways to preserve it and keep it from spoiling, but there are some tricks to getting it right, which varieties freeze best, and how to serve after freezing.

Can You Freeze Cheese?

Freezing cheese can be a great way to save money and make sure you have the right cheese on hand when you need it. But, there are a few things to consider before you start freezing your favorite cheeses.

First, not all cheeses freeze well. In fact, most don’t! So before you start storing your favorite parmesan in the freezer, make sure you do your research first.

Secondly, even if a particular variety does freeze well, you still need to know how to best store it so that it performs well when it comes time to use it again. There are certain practices that will help keep your frozen cheese at its freshest for as long as possible.

Finally, once frozen, many types of cheese lose their versatility. It may become quite difficult (if not impossible) to grate or cut them into small pieces without compromising the texture and taste of what was once a perfectly good block of cheese! In this article, we will talk about what types of cheeses freeze well, how to freeze them properly, and what you can do with the frozen cheese once it’s thawed out.

If you enjoy learning about these freezing tips, be sure to check out our other easy tutorials on How To Freeze Bananas, How To Freeze Avocado, and How to Freeze Cookie Dough.

Best Cheeses To Use

Typically, any of the brick or semi-hard cheeses are okay to store inside the freezer. Some examples of these types of cheeses are:

• Cheddar (block, sliced, or shredded)
• Colby Jack (block, sliced, or shredded)
• Monterey Jack (block, sliced, or shredded)
• Mozzarella or pizza cheese (shredded)
• Provolone (freeze in a block on in slices of cheese)

OKAY (But Not Great) Varieties

These cheeses CAN be frozen and stored in an airtight container, but your results may be highly varied. These include:

• Swiss
• Blue Cheese
• Feta
• Cream Cheese
• Gouda

Worst Cheeses To Freeze

Any curd or soft cheese varieties aren’t great for freezing. Also, fancy, hand-crafted cheese doesn’t freeze well either. They are known for their texture and taste and are best eaten fresh. Similarly, hard varieties, such as Parmesan, don’t freeze well. They last a very long time in the refrigerator, so there’s no point in freezing them anyway. Here are the kinds that don’t freeze well:

• Cottage Cheese
• Ricotta
• Brie
• Romano
• Parmesan
• Processed Cheese (such as Velveeta)

Shredded Cheese (Preferred Method)

Store-bought, pre-shredded is always going to be a good bet. You can keep it in its original packaging and put it straight in the freezer. You can also shred cheese from a block and then freeze it (I prefer this to freezing an entire block. I have provided some instructions below on how to do this. You can freeze shredded cheese for up to two months before losing quality. You can thaw before using, or we have had success melting frozen shredded cheese directly into casseroles and other hot dishes.

Block Or Sliced Cheese

For block (no larger than one pound) or sliced cheese, place in a Ziplock freezer bag (still in its original packaging), press the air out and seal tightly. If the original packaging has been removed, you can wrap it tightly in plastic cling wrap or aluminum foil and then place in a Ziplock freezer bag for freezing. For sliced, make sure each individual slice is separated with parchment paper before wrapping and bagging. You can freeze block or sliced cheese for up to two months.

Serving and Cooking Suggestions

Even if you do everything perfectly, freezing will inevitably affect the texture. It is best to grate, melt, or crumble cheese that has been frozen so the texture differences aren’t as noticeable. It usually isn’t great when sliced or served cubed on a cheese board after it has been frozen. Melting into casseroles, soups, or other hot dishes such as macaroni and cheese are perfectly fine. Melting sliced cheese over burgers or grilled cheese sandwiches will work well also. 

Quick Tips for Freezing Cheese

Here’s a quick TLDR version of our tips for freezing cheese, just in case you need a quick reference:

1. Choose Hard Cheeses: Hard cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, or Parmesan freeze better than soft cheeses because of their lower moisture content.
2. Pre-Portion: Shred or cut the cheese into smaller portions before freezing. This makes it easier to thaw and use only what you need.
3. Wrap Properly: Wrap the cheese tightly in plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or wax paper to prevent freezer burn and odors from affecting the flavor.
4. Use Freezer Bags: Alternatively, place the wrapped cheese in a freezer-safe bag and squeeze out any excess air before sealing.
5. Label and Date: Always label the cheese with the type and date before placing it in the freezer. This helps you keep track of how long it’s been frozen.
6. Thaw Slowly: When ready to use, thaw the frozen cheese in the refrigerator overnight. Avoid thawing at room temperature to prevent texture changes.
7. Use Frozen Cheese for Cooking: While the texture of thawed cheese may be slightly different, it’s perfect for cooking, such as in casseroles, sauces, or gratins.
8. Avoid Freezing Soft Cheeses: Soft cheeses like cream cheese or ricotta tend to separate and become crumbly when frozen. It’s best to use them fresh or within their recommended storage time.

By following these tips, you can safely freeze cheese and keep it fresh for longer, ensuring you always have a stash of cheese ready for your favorite recipes.

What Else Can Be Frozen?

There are lots of different foods that can be frozen! Here are some foods that can be frozen that may not be widely known:

Snacks

How To Freeze Cookie Dough

Food Storage

How to Freeze Avocado

Banana

How To Freeze Bananas

More Uncommon Foods That Can Be Frozen

1. Fresh Herbs: Chop fresh herbs and freeze them in olive oil or water for added flavor in your dishes.
2. Coconut Milk: Freeze coconut milk in ice cube trays for later use in curries or smoothies.
3. Cooked Pasta: Freeze cooked pasta to quickly add to soups or stir-fries.
4. Bread: Freeze sliced bread or rolls for easy toasting or making sandwiches later.
5. Nuts: Freeze nuts in airtight containers to keep them fresh and prevent them from going rancid.
6. Tomato Paste: Freeze leftover tomato paste in small portions to use in sauces or stews.
7. Buttermilk: Freeze leftover buttermilk in ice cube trays or small containers for future use in baking or marinades.
8. Citrus Zest: Grate the zest of lemons, limes, or oranges and freeze it in small portions for adding bright flavor to dishes.
9. Fresh Berries: Freeze fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag for smoothies or desserts.
10. Cooked Rice: Freeze cooked rice in individual portions for quick and easy rice bowls or stir-fries.
11. Homemade Broth: Freeze homemade broth or stock in ice cube trays or freezer bags to use as a base for soups and sauces.
12. Green Onions: Chop green onions and freeze them in small portions to add a pop of flavor to various dishes.
13. Fresh Ginger: Peel and freeze fresh ginger to grate or slice for recipes without worrying about it going bad.
14. Pumpkin Puree: Freeze homemade pumpkin puree in portions for use in soups, smoothies, or baked goods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Recipes using shredded cheese

Dinner

Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

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How to Freeze Cheese