Whether you have a dinner party that you've prepared a cheese board for or bought a particular type of cheese for a recipe you didn't end up making, cheese is one of those foods that you often find left over in your fridge.
To reduce food waste and save money, you may have thought about freezing excess cheese. But surprisingly, not all cheeses can be frozen. Here's our definitive guide to everything you need to know about freezing cheese.
Can you freeze cheese?
The short answer is yes, store bought, hard cheeses and most semi-hard cheeses can be frozen. Cheddar, Gouda, Emmental and Parmesan for example will freeze and maintain their flavour well, however the texture will most likely be compromised slightly.
What cheeses should not be frozen?
Creamier cheeses such as Brie and Camembert should not be frozen as they have a higher water content, which means they will be susceptible to damage caused by ice-crystals forming in the freezing process. But in saying that, cream cheese can be frozen.
How to prepare cheese for freezing and how soon it needs to be frozen?
When freezing most foods, even cheese that can be kept chilled for longer than most perishable goods, it’s best to freeze as soon as possible. Do not freeze after the use-by or sell-by date.
The best way to freeze hard or semi-hard cheese is to grate it or cut it into smaller cubes. If freezing a larger block, once defrosted it will have lost its natural moisture and will have a tendency to crumble making it almost impossible to slice - it certainly won’t be cheese board-worthy. However freezing cheese definitely has a place in our freezer drawer, it’s great for saving excess cheese going to waste and always handy to have a little supply at the ready to use in cooking.
How do you store cheese in the freezer?
Highly flavoured foods if not properly wrapped will transfer their smell and flavour to other items in the freezer, so putting cheese into an additional freezer-proof sealable bag or overwrapping with a strong foil will prevent this.
Use freezer-proof bags to store grated hard or semi-hard cheese, squeeze out the excess air in the bag before sealing, then place in a second bag and seal. Label with the date of freezing and try to lay the bag completely flat in the freezer, this will stop it clumping together. Once frozen you can re-arrange as liked!
Wrap cut cubes of cheese in cling film, then place inside another freezer proof bag (again, squeezing out excess air) this will not only help keep everything organised but it will also avoid cross-flavourings. Label with the date of freezing, then freeze.
How long can they in the freezer?
Frozen cheese can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months.
What does freezing do to the flavour? And what is the flavour like once defrosted?
The flavour when freezing hard or semi-hard cheese maintains well. It is the texture that changes a little - this is why grating is a good option when preparing cheese for the freezer.
How should they be defrosted once removed from the freezer and how quickly should they be used?
For cubes of frozen cheese, defrost in the fridge overnight. For frozen grated cheese, if using in cooking, it’s possible to use straight from frozen or scatter the desired amount of grated cheese out onto a plate and defrost in the fridge for 1-2 hours. This will work perfectly well in sandwiches. Once defrosted use within 3 days.
What can cheese best be used for after freezing?
Grated frozen cheese is great for using straight away, for scattering on top of a pizza or sprinkling over an indulgent Shepherds pie before cooking for example.
Whether you choose to defrost first or not, frozen cheddar is great used in this ultimate Cheesy fish pie. Or try this Luxury truffle mac and cheese for a real treat – it contains 3 types of hard cheese that are perfect for grating and storing in the freezer. Or try this delicious vegetarian Cheesy stuffed mushroom – a tasty side dish using grated vegetarian cheddar.
25+ of the best cheese recipes
FAQs
Cheese can be kept frozen indefinitely, but for best quality, use the cheese within 6–9 months.
Can I freeze my cheese? ›
Yes, you can freeze cheese but not all types of cheese freeze well. The best cheeses to freeze are hard and semi-hard cheeses.To freeze, store it in a freezer bag, expel air and label. If you plan on using it grated, it's best to grate before freezing. Lay a bag of grated cheese out flat and don't pack it too tightly.
Can you eat 2 year old frozen cheese? ›
How long does cheese last in the freezer? Freezing cheese stops bacterial growth completely. Frozen cheeses should be used within six months of freezing and then used within two to three days of thawing.
Why is cheese not suitable for home freezing? ›
You can indeed freeze cheese, but it depends on the type. Semi-hard cheeses are generally freezable, whereas creamier cheeses don't work - when they're defrosted, the curds and whey separate, resulting in a watery, grainy mess.
How long is cheese good in the freezer? ›
How Long Does Cheese Last in the Freezer? Frozen cheese should be used within six to nine months of freezing. You should not refreeze cheese that has been previously frozen and thawed.
What cheeses should not be frozen? ›
In general, hand-crafted cheeses with delicate flavors and aromas don't freeze well and are best bought in smaller portions and eaten fresh. Freezing is also not recommended for fresh curd cheeses like cottage cheese, ricotta, and quark due to their high moisture content.
Is it OK to freeze soft cheese? ›
Softer cheeses aren't the best bet for your freezer due to their higher moisture content, which translates to more water to form more ice crystals. "This can significantly damage its structure and leave you with an undesirable pool of previously delicious cheese when thawed," says Windsor.
Which cheese freezes best? ›
The best cheeses to freeze are semi-hard cheeses like cheddar, low-moisture mozzarella, and provolone. We've all been there before: You have a big block of cheese you won't be able to use by the use-by date, but you don't want to throw it away. If you find yourself asking, “Can you freeze cheese?,” the answer is yes.
Is cheese ruined if it freezes? ›
Can you freeze cheese? The answer is yes! Many cheeses can be frozen without changing the flavor or sacrificing their quality. The key to freezing cheese is to get as tight a seal as possible and lock out any potential for freezer burn.
Does cheese taste the same after freezing? ›
Pieces of cheese with smaller surface area, like shreds or small blocks, will freeze more quickly than large blocks. Freezing can affect a cheese's flavor too. The enzymes and living cultures in cheese that develop flavor over time are deactivated by freezing, and no amount of careful thawing will change that.
Hard cheeses that haven't been opened can last for several months and even up to a year when stored in the fridge. Blue cheeses like Stilton, Roquefort and Gorgonzola can have a shelf life of several months when unopened if they're refrigerated properly.
Where should milk never be stored? ›
Avoid keeping milk in one of the door's shelves. It's a tempting storage spot because it's easily accessible, but it's warmer toward the front, and temperature fluctuations caused by opening and shutting the door frequently make milk spoil faster.
Can butter be frozen? ›
Properly stored butter can be frozen for up to four months if frozen prior to the USE BY date on the package. Butter may begin to lose its fresh butter taste and pick up flavors and odors from the freezer if stored for longer than four months. Once the butter is removed from the freezer, use it within 30 days.
Does cheese taste good after freezing? ›
As previously mentioned, freezing cheese can affect its taste and texture, and for harder cheeses, this means they may become more crumbly and difficult to cut. It's therefore best to only freeze cheeses that you intend to include in cooked dishes as opposed to being eaten fresh.
How do you defrost cheese? ›
To thaw your cheese, move your airtight container from the freezer to the fridge where it should sit overnight, so it has time to rehydrate and regain some of its original texture. If your cheese is shredded (which we'd recommend for freezing), you can also simply melt it from frozen and skip this step.
Can I freeze mozzarella cheese? ›
It is possible to freeze mozzarella cheese; however, because it is a softer cheese you will have the most success when the mozzarella is shredded. Whereas a hard or semi-hard block of cheese will stay fresh in your freezer up to 6 months, fresh shredded cheeses such as mozzarella will last around 3-4 months.
Does freezing cheese stop it from molding? ›
While freezing can alter the texture of some cheeses, it's an effective way to prevent mold growth. To freeze cheese, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place it in a resealable plastic bag, removing as much air as possible.
