Can you freeze cheese for a longer shelf-life? Sure you can! But, will it taste good? Well, it depends.
Freezing can irreversibly alter some cheeses’ fat membranes and protein networks. When water in cheese freezes into crystals, those crystals (ice takes up more space than water does) cause the fat membranes to collapse. Which means, when thawed, originally creamy cheeses can taste grainy, crumbly, or worst of all off.
Harder cheeses, such as Parmesan or Pecorino, are slightly less sensitive to this, but not immune. Your best bet? Store both hard and soft cheeses, wrapped in parchment or cheese paper, in a drawer in the fridge. Hard cheeses will last for about six months in the fridge, though I’d aim to use them within three. If a small bit of mold forms because of excess moisture on the cheese’s surface, simply cut off any affected pieces—the rest will still be good to use. If mold is seen throughout, you’ll have to throw it out. Bummer. From Our Shop
This all said, freezing soft cheeses has been done. Some cheesemaker on the dark web has reported that, well-wrapped and frozen for a relatively short time (two weeks), high-fat, soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert can freeze and thaw without growing grainy.
If the choice is between throwing away cheese or freezing it, definitely opt for freezing. The thawed texture will not be the same as it was before, but this also may not be such big a deal if you’re planning to melt, bake, or saucify the cheese anyway. Just try to limit freezing stints to three months or less, because dairy contains fat and fat attracts freezer smells.
Soft cheeses such as camembert and brie, as well as ricotta and cottage cheese, that have a higher water and fat content can still be frozen, but just know that their texture will suffer. Cream cheese can be frozen, too!
How to Freeze Cheese
Wrap the cheese in freezer or parchment paper, then in a layer of aluminum foil. The paper allows the cheese to breathe, while the foil protects against moisture loss.
Freeze that cheese.
Again, try to avoid freezing cheese for longer than three months. Label cheese clearly with variety and date, and if freezing numerous odds and ends, keep them in a plastic bin or box so they don’t get lost in the tundra.
Tip of The Week – Can You Freeze Cheese? You’ll Be Surprised
FAQ
How do you store soft cheese in the freezer?
What cheeses should not be frozen?
Why is freezing not recommended for cheese?
Why can’t you freeze cream cheese?
Can soft cheese be frozen?
Finally, place the whole thing in a freezer bag or hard-sided freezer-safe container. Seal the bag or container, then label and date it. For best results, use within 2-3 months of freezing. How to Keep Soft Cheese for Longer?
Is cheese bad for you?
Cheese is wonderful food! It is a source of protein, calcium, a vitamin B12 and brings important health benefits. It is useful in regulating intestinal transit, weight management, and strengthening bones and teeth and is very important in human development. This food deserves to be present in a healthy and balanced diet, but be careful, avoid those fatty cheeses, full of dyes, and that does not give you confidence that they are healthy food.
Can you freeze sliced cheese?
Yep! For prepackaged sliced cheese, just pop the package into a freezer bag and place it in the freezer. For deli-sliced cheese, place a piece of parchment paper in between each slice of cheese. Then wrap the cheese in freezer paper, tape shut and place the whole package in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container.
How long Does Cheese last in the freezer?
A block of hard cheese (one that’s lower in moisture) will keep a long time in the freezer. Parmesan and cheddar will keep up to 6 months. Mozzarella will keep around 4 months. You can freeze grated cheese, but because it has more surface area, it’s more susceptible to freezer burn. Freeze it 3 to 4 months.