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If you have too much shredded mozzarella in your fridge or an extra wedge of parmesan, you might be wondering: Can you freeze cheese? The truth is, it's not really as simple as yes or no. Yes, you can technically freeze cheese. But do you want to freeze cheese? That's a bit more subjective—and it depends on the kind of cheese and how you plan to use it later.
It's important to remember that cheese's texture is everything. What would classic cheese pizza be without all that bubbly, stretchy mozzarella or a crispy grilled cheese sandwich without pulls of melty American or cheddar? Disappointing—that's what! Freezing cheese is a simple way to make it last longer, but before you plop a big brick of pepper jack in the freezer, you should be aware that the texture will change. Sure, many cheesy dishes taste great when baked from frozen (Ree Drummond's frozen goat cheese is proof), but not all cheeses hold up to the frostiness of a freezer. Keep reading to find out what cheeses fare best frozen, how to freeze them, and how to use the cheese later.
What kind of cheese can you freeze?
Here's what to know about different types of cheese: Hard cheeses like cheddar, monterey jack, and parmesan hold up best in the freezer. 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!
What's the best way to freeze cheese?
Blocks or large hunks of cheese are ideal for freezing. If they're unopened, freeze them in their original packaging. If you already opened them, freeze them in a resealable plastic bag with as much air removed as possible. Shredded cheeses are fine, too. If you shredded the cheese yourself, place it in a resealable plastic bag and remove as much air as possible, like you would with blocks of cheese. You can freeze pre-shredded cheese in its original container or bag.
The same goes for sliced cheese: freeze in its original, unopened package. But if you're slicing a hard cheese yourself or you have cheese from the deli section of your grocery store, you should put the slices of cheese in a plastic freezer bag with small sheets of parchment paper between each (otherwise, they'll stick together and freeze into one block).
Does cheese taste different after freezing?
It isn't so much the cheese's taste as it is the texture that changes when cheese is frozen. Your creamy brie may come out of the freezer a bit more crumbly and blocks of cream cheese could seem a bit grainy. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't freeze cheese, you just have to know how to use it. You wouldn't want to slice and eat it fresh, but hard cheese that has been frozen still melts beautifully. Use it as topping in all your family's favorite casserole recipes or stir it into mac and cheese. Frozen cream cheese isn't great for spreads, but it's the perfect addition to baked goods. And while you wouldn't want to use frozen ricotta cheese to make a dip or eat frozen cottage cheese for breakfast, you can pile both into lasagna and it'll work just fine.
How long can you freeze cheese?
It's best to use any frozen cheese within two to three months of freezing it. Harder cheeses like parmesan can typically last a bit longer. You should also avoid re-freezing cheese that has been previously frozen and thawed.
What's the best way to thaw frozen cheese?
Simply put it in the refrigerator. Keep the cheese in its original packaging and allow a couple of hours for the cheese to thaw, then use the cheese as soon as possible. You can also use the cheese frozen: For example, frozen shredded mozzarella can go right on a pizza—it'll melt in the oven.
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