The Right Way to Freeze Every Type of Cheese, According to Culinary Experts
Prevent your leftover cheese from going bad with these freezer hacks.
You can probably relate to this scenario—you buy a package of cheese for a specific recipe, and then you’re left with a ton of leftover cheese that inevitably goes bad. Chances are, you didn’t even think to put that extra cheese in the freezer to extend its life.
So, can you freeze cheese, really? It turns out that depending on the kind of cheese you’re talking about, freezing it just might be an option. We chatted with a few culinary pros to get their take on how to freeze all sorts of cheeses so you don't end up wasting any more food.
Related: These Are the 10 Healthiest Cheeses, According to Registered Dieticians
Can You Freeze Cheese?
In general, yes, you can freeze cheese, says Jessica Sennett, a cheese storage expert and founder of Cheese Grotto. “However, it's important to be aware that certain cheeses freeze much better than others,” she says. (More on that later!)
Sennett explains that when cheese is frozen, its chemical composition changes. “When defrosted, the cheese will retain more water, so it won't be the same texture as the fresh cheese,” she says.
Nikki Trzeciak, executive chef and senior manager of culinary and sensory, Saputo USA, adds that freezing cheese causes ice crystals to form from the natural moisture in the cheese. “This disrupts the structure of the cheese and affects the texture, causing it to become crumblier and mealy,” she says. “Freezing can also halt the ripening process of the cheese and stall or kill off the probiotics and natural molds found in cheeses.”
If your intention is to cook with the cheese, then freezing it to prolong its shelf life for a few months can be a good option, says Sennett. But if you’re looking to enjoy the cheese on its own on a cheeseboard or in a sandwich, then she recommends avoiding the freezer. That said, you can store the leftovers from a cheeseboard or the ends of a block to be used in sauces or melted out on sandwiches in the freezer, says Trzeciak.
What Cheeses Can Be Frozen?
Trzeciak says hard cheeses like parmesan wedges freeze well, as do pecorino, cheddar and Gruyère. “Semi-hard cheeses like Gouda, Havarti and pepper Jack can also be frozen,” she says. Vacuum-sealed shredded cheese can also be frozen and will defrost evenly and quickly, says Sennett.
What Cheese Can You Not Freeze?
Now you know which cheeses do the best in the freezer—but what cheeses should not be frozen?
“Artisan cheeses with delicate flavors and aromas don’t freeze well and are best bought in smaller portions to be eaten fresh,” says Trzeciak. “Fresh curd-style cheeses, like ricotta, cottage cheese, paneer and quark, have a displeasing and curdled texture once they are thawed due to their high-water content and should always be eaten fresh.”
Soft-ripened cheeses, like Brie, Camembert and fontina, are also best enjoyed fresh (although they can ripen well in the refrigerator), notes Trzeciak.
Can You Freeze Shredded Cheese?
Yes, shredded cheese can be frozen, says Bryan Q. Le, Ph.D., food scientist, food and beverage industry consultant, and author of 150 Food Science Questions Answered. “Freshly shredded cheese should be placed in a resealable plastic bag with as much of the air removed as possible,” he says.
Related: Best Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe
Can You Freeze Cream Cheese?
It’s really best not to freeze cream cheese. That’s because it’s one of those cheeses that doesn’t freeze well and will change texture once you freeze it, says Trzeciak.
If you must freeze cream cheese, Sennett suggests vacuum-sealing it with no access to air. This is the best way to retain freshness, she says. Le adds that you can freeze cream cheese in its original packaging to prevent freezer burn and rancidity.
Can You Freeze Ricotta Cheese?
Ricotta cheese is another cheese you’re better off not freezing due to the way freezing will change its texture, says Trzeciak.
If you must freeze ricotta cheese, Sennett suggests vacuum-sealing it with no access to air. As with cream cheese, this is the best way to retain the freshness of ricotta, she says.
Related: 16 Best Ricotta Cheese Recipes
Can You Freeze Cottage Cheese?
Just like cream cheese and ricotta cheese, cottage cheese is one of those cheeses that doesn’t freeze well, says Trzeciak.
Jessica Randhawa, head chef, recipe creator, photographer and writer behind The Forked Spoon, explains that fresh, high-moisture cheeses like cottage cheese can become watery or grainy after freezing and thawing.
If you must freeze cottage cheese, handle it the same way you would cream cheese or ricotta cheese.
Related: 'I Tried Cottage Cheese Ice Cream and It's My New Favorite Go-To Healthy Dessert'
How Long Can You Freeze Cheese?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), hard cheeses like cheddar, Swiss and parmesan can be frozen for up to six months.
The USDA notes that soft cheeses like ricotta, cream and cottage don’t freeze well. If you must freeze any of these, the experts we chatted with said they can last a couple of months if frozen properly (ie, vacuum-sealed) but that the texture may still be compromised.
Related: How Long Does Meat Last in the Freezer?
Does Cheese Taste Good After Freezing?
“In general, flavor after a few months in the freezer isn’t a concern, unless we are talking about delicate nuances,” says Trzeciak. “The greater concern is the texture.”
Soft cheeses, in particular, can curdle and develop a watery or grainy texture that just isn’t appetizing—which is why experts say it’s not the best idea to freeze these types of cheeses.
How Do You Freeze Store-Bought Cheese?
When thinking through how to freeze store-bought cheese, consider the type of cheese first and how to plan to use it later to determine how you’ll prepare it for freezing, suggests Trzeciak.
For example, shredding hard cheeses will make melting easier later, says Trzeciak. Slices are another option if you’re looking to add cheese to a grilled cheese or cheeseburger, adds Sennett.
“The cheese will defrost evenly and quickly,” she says. “If doing this, I'd recommend placing a piece of parchment in between each slice before vacuum-sealing the whole thing, in order to have the individual pieces easily removed and thawed.”
Sennett recommends portioning and packaging different cheese types in amounts you envision using per recipe. “You want to avoid re-freezing the cheese after it has been defrosted as it will denature even more each time,” she says.
Regardless of the circumstance, a tight vacuum seal is the only way Sennett would recommend freezing cheese, “otherwise it will absorb the freezer aroma, making for an unpleasant taste and smell,” she says.
Once you’re ready to thaw your frozen cheese, do so at room temperature so the cheese doesn’t denature too much with an aggressive thawing, says Sennett. “If you only have a few hours, I'd recommend placing the frozen cheese package in a cool water bath where you can have water slowly trickling out of the faucet onto the thawing cheese package,” she says. “This is a gentler way to defrost.”
Related: How to Thaw a Turkey Quickly and Easily
Sources
Jessica Sennett, a cheese storage expert and founder of Cheese Grotto
Nikki Trzeciak, executive chef and senior manager of culinary and sensory, Saputo USA
Bryan Q. Le, Ph.D., food scientist, food and beverage industry consultant and author of 150 Food Science Questions Answered
Jessica Randhawa, head chef, recipe creator, photographer and writer behind The Forked Spoon
