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Learn how to freeze cheese properly to save money and reduce waste. Find which cheeses freeze best, tips for storing them, and creative ways to use frozen cheese in your favorite recipes!
Yes, You Can Freeze Cheese!
I almost always have a ridiculous amount of cheese in my fridge. I mean, we go through cheese probably faster than anything else in our house and that’s saying something. We use it for taco night, homemade pizza, casseroles, late night quesadillas, and even popcorn (btw have you tried shredded cheese on hot, fresh popcorn? It is so good!).
We get asked all the time, “Can you freeze cheese?” and thankfully, the answer is yes! In fact, freezing cheese is one of my favorite ways to stock up when it’s on sale and keep it from going to waste. I freeze cheese all the time and it works surprisingly well. Not every cheese freezes perfectly, but many kinds do great, especially if you’re using them later for cooking or melting. Here I will give you all my tips, tricks, and absolutely everything I know about freezing cheese. You ready? Let’s go.
🩷Erica
Table of Contents
- Yes, You Can Freeze Cheese!
- Ingredients and Supplies Needed To Freeze Cheese
- Best Cheeses to Freeze
- Worst Cheeses to Freeze
- How to Freeze Cheese
- What About Block or Sliced Cheese?
- Pro Tips for Freezing Cheese
- Can You Freeze Cheese for Long-Term Storage?
- Recipes Using Shredded Cheese
- More “How to Freeze” Recipes
- How To Freeze Shredded Cheese Recipe
Ingredients and Supplies Needed To Freeze Cheese
- Cheese (obviously) – You can buy store bought shredded cheese and then you are done. No other ingredients will be necessary because it is already coated with anti-caking agents. If you like to buy a block and shred like I do, you will need to also add corn starch.
- Cornstarch – Cornstarch works best as the “anti-clumping” ingredient because it’s very fine and coats the cheese evenly. You can also use flour but I usually avoid it because I don’t think it coats the cheese as well, plus we have some gluten-free family members so it’s easier to play it safe.
- Freezer bags – You can use quart or gallon freezer “Ziplock” bags. Just don’t overfill them when you are adding the cheese and don’t press them down when sealing. Make sure you have enough bags to freeze all the cheese you want. You may even want to double-bag to help prevent freezer burn if you have a deep freezer.
Best Cheeses to Freeze
Hard and semi-hard cheeses freeze the best because they have less moisture, so they hold up much better after thawing. I freeze cheese all the time, especially when I find a great sale or buy more than I can use before the expiration date. Cheddar, Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, and provolone all do really well in the freezer. Shredded cheese both freezes and thaws the best.
Worst Cheeses to Freeze
Soft cheeses usually don’t freeze very well because of their high moisture content. Things like cottage cheese, ricotta, goat cheese, cream cheese, and Brie tend to separate or turn grainy after thawing. Parmesan and Romano technically can be frozen, but honestly they last so long in the refrigerator anyway that I usually don’t bother. Processed cheeses like Velveeta can also get a strange texture after freezing. Also processed cheese will last through the apocalypse so you don’t really need to waste freezer space on it. If you do freeze softer cheeses, just know they usually work better in cooked recipes afterward rather than served fresh.
How to Freeze Cheese
- For store bought shredded cheese, place directly into a freezer bag and freeze. For freshly shredded cheese from a block, shred cheese into a large mixing bowl.
- Add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch per pound of cheese to the bowl and toss until all of the shreds are evenly coated.
- Transfer the coated cheese into a freezer bag, press out all the aid (without smashing the cheese), and seal tightly. You can double-bag the cheese to further prevent freezer burn.
- Thaw the cheese before using, or you can just toss the frozen shredded cheese directly into casseroles and soups where it will thaw and melt quickly.
What About Block or Sliced Cheese?
Ok so I have actually experimented with both block and sliced cheese and to be honest, it doesn’t turn out great. The texture changed quite a bit after thawing and didn’t even work out that great after melting into a casseroe. Block cheese got crumbly and sliced cheese kind of cracked and stuck together. After trying it once, it’s not something I personally would ever do again.
For me, shredded cheese freezes much better and gives the best results overall. It thaws easier, melts better, and is way more convenient for cooking. So if I’m freezing cheese, shredded is the only way I’ll go.
Pro Tips for Freezing Cheese
- Freeze flat: Freeze the cheese flat in a freezer bag instead of in a big mound. A thinner layer freezes faster and keeps the shreds from sticking together as much.
- Remove excess air: Press out as much air as possible before sealing the bag without smashing the cheese. Extra moisture and condensation can make the cheese clump together.
- Loosen up the cheese: Give the bag a shake once or twice during the first hour or two of freezing. This helps break up the shreds before they fully freeze solid.
- Label and Date: Be sure to label your cheese with the date and type before freezing, so you know what’s what when you need it.
- Thaw Slowly: For best results, thaw cheese in the fridge. If you’re in a hurry, you can use frozen cheese in hot dishes without thawing.
- 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.
Can You Freeze Cheese for Long-Term Storage?
Yes! While frozen cheese is best used within 6 to 9 months for the best quality, it will technically stay safe for longer. Honestly we go through cheese so fast at our house, it only ends up being in the freezer for a month or two at most. Just be sure to use airtight packaging and squeeze out any excess air to keep it fresh for as long as possible.
Recipes Using Shredded Cheese
If you’re wondering how to put all that frozen shredded cheese to good use, here are some delicious recipes to try:
- Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Cheesy Potato Casserole
- Cheesy Cauliflower Side Dish
- Cheesy Potato Cakes
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Broccoli Cheese Potato Skins
- Cheesy Italian Bread
More “How to Freeze” Recipes
Have you tried freezing cheese before? I would love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below and let me know your favorite cheeses to freeze. And if you try any of these tips, snap a picture and tag us on Instagram @favoritefamilyrecipes 📸🧀
How To Freeze Shredded Cheese
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound cheddar cheese, (store-bought, block)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Shred cheddar cheese and place in bowl or plastic freezer bag (such as Ziplock).
- Add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch per pound of cheese to the bowl or bag.
- Combine the cheese and cornstarch by stirring in the bowl or shaking in a sealed bag until cornstarch evenly covers all of the cheese shreds.
- Transfer cheese from the bowl to the bag, if it's not there already, and press air out of the bag and re-seal tightly. To reduce freezer burn you may double bag.
- Freeze cheese for up to 2 months without losing quality. Cheese that has been frozen is best for melting into soups, casseroles, or pastas.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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If we buy already shredded bagged cheese we don’t need to do the corn starch? Just throw it in the freezer ?
Yes! That should work!
So glad I won’t be wasting any more cheese. The cornstarch keeps it from clumping together. Awesome!
How much cornstarch do I put for a 2lb shredded block of cheese?
The rule is 1 tablespoon of cornstarch for every pound of cheese, so 2 tablespoons!
But why corn starch
Wow this is terrific information. I’ve had frozen cheese before and it absolutely changed the texture (…like… GROSS). Good to have these tips and tricks now to do it the right way. Thanks. Your posts are always so helpful.
what great information. thank you soo much. i am retired and yesterday my kids took me to a bulk shopping store ie sams club in tuscaloosa al. I live my by-self so i usually shop at our neighborhood wallmart as i have limited storage space. what an experience. i am now having soo much fun organizing my ftreezer and i am soo happy that i have this information. keep those great tips coming. you are awsome!!!
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I freeze grated parmasean cheese all the time and have had very good results!
What is the cornstarch for?
It is to help the cheese not stick together when you freeze it.
I’ve been freezing cheese for a few years now, it’s my favorite kitchen hack! I haven’t added cornstarch before, but that may help me skip the freezing it on a baking sheet step which would be great
Now I know why my cheese never freezes well. This is so informative and helpful.
I freeze cheese all the time because I don’t usually get through a whole block. I’m going to try your technique using starch.
Thanks for all the tips. We aren’t big cheese eaters so when I do use it in a recipe I always have leftover that gets thrown out. Not anymore!
Had I know this, I wouldn’t have thrown out a huge amount of cheese over the years. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for this!! I have been needing a why to freeze cheese. I like to buy in bulk but with only 2 people in the house it is hard to eat everything before it goes bad.
Cheese is my all time favorite. Your information was very interesting. Thanks
Thank you so much for providing this information! I have pinned it as well. Such a useful post.
I am so glad I found your post about how to freeze the cheese! This is super easy and will save me lots of money. I always buy cheese on special, but it last only certain time in the refrigerator and then it goes bad! Thank you for sharing this trick:)
This is so handy to know! Thanks for the great info!
Where has this tutorial been all my life!? THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! Printing it out right now!
Old dogs (78 yrs) can learn new tricks. I never knew you could freeze nor how to do this. Plus, I get to learn how to make/cook and freeze meals. Since, I single and never did much cooking 🍳.