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Have you ever wondered can you freeze cheese? It is effortless to do and saves money. Learn how to freeze cheese in a few simple steps.
Can you freeze cheese?
Yes, you absolutely can freeze cheese. It freezes significantly well and is an uncomplicated way to save money.
Which cheese can you freeze?
There are various types of semi hard cheeses that freeze amazingly well. These include: shredded cheese and sliced cheese.
However, a brick of cheese does not freeze properly. It tends to result in a crumbly texture once you try to slice it.
As long as you know the types to use, the results will be successful. It taste absolutely delicious and saves money as well.
What cheese can you not freeze?
Soft cheeses should be avoided. You do not want to use brie, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, goat cheese, blue cheese and other soft style cheese.
As long as you avoid these types , you should have tremendous success when freezing.
How to freeze cheese:
You will need freezer safe bags or containers to use. Blocks should be shredded prior to freezing.
Also, slices should be separated using parchment paper prior to freezing if not in original packaging.
If you are wondering how long cheese lasts in the freezer, it lasts up to 6 months. Frozen cheeses last a substantial amount of time to use later in recipes.
Can you freeze shredded cheese?
Divide your cheese into freezer baggies. I typically use quart size freezer bags, because that seems to be a sufficient amount for my family.
However, you can use whatever size freezer bags you prefer or have.
Fill up the freezer bags, and try to get as much air out of the bags as possible. Label accordingly and then place in the freezer.
Make sure you label them clearly to properly know the type of cheese.
We love to make this Easy Pizza Cupcakes Recipe and this shredded cheese is perfect for it. The kids go crazy over it and it makes delicious meals for quick lunches and dinners.
You can also make homemade macaroni and cheese with shredded cheese.
When you are ready to use, place in the fridge overnight or let it sit on the counter and in under 30 minutes your cheese is ready to use.
It is effortless to thaw cheese and it tastes wonderful.
Can you freeze cheese slices?
I know many of you prefer sliced American cheese. I also like to have sliced cheese in my freezer so I can make my yummy cheese sauce for pretels for my homemade pretzel bites or grilled cheese sandwiches.
Sliced types turns out absolutely fabulous. Just place them in the freezer in the original packaging it came in. You can also wrap securely in plastic wrap or heavy duty aluminum foil prior to putting in the freezer bag.
Allow the cheese to thaw overnight in the fridge once you need American Cheese slices.
Can you freeze a brick of cheese?
I do not recommend freezing blocks. It is the one type I do not recommend to freeze.
I have tried in the past. However, when I thawed it and tried to slice it, it just crumbled. It also tends to crumble if grating so I would not utilize this type when freezing.
The taste is the same, but if you are wanting to slice it, I think you will be sorely disappointed. The texture isn’t the same frozen.
Print the instructions on how to freeze cheese here:
Can you Freeze Cheese?
Equipment
- 1 Gallon Freezer bags
Ingredients
Instructions
- Divide the cheese into freezer bags based on how much cheese you need at a time.
- Get as much air out as the freezer bags as possible.
- Label the bag and then freeze for up to 6 months.
Notes
Perfect!
I freeze ricotta cheese all the time. I make my own, put it into containers and freeze. I “fluff” it up by running it thru my mixer before using.
That has never happened to me. I wonder if you put a paper towel in your bag when you place it in the refrigerator if that will absorb moisture and prevent the mold.
I buy cheese in chunks, grate it in food processor, then distribute to bags. When I get a bag out to use and put the rest in the refrigerator, I find mold the next time I go to use. What can I do?
I have bought 40 lbs of cheese at a time and had the deli shred it for me. I tossed the cheese with baking powder to coat. It keeps the cheese from sticking to itself in clumps. It’s easy to just reach in and take what you need. No need to thaw. I’m not able to find a deli that will grate it for me anymore. Just my luck. So I lug out my big German made kitchen work horse and do it myself! It’s time consuming but so worth it!
Doris – If you are freezer block cheese, I would freeze them whole and then shred them once they are thawed out. If you freeze them after they are already grated, they will likely stick together and may not unfreeze well.
Good day and Happy New Year !
I may be missing something in your post about freezing cheese…. I have four 8oz . packages of cheddar cheese and monteray jack cheese . If I grate them and place in freezer bags, will these hold up well? It appears to me that your post is about pre-shredded cheeses you buy in bulk then separate. I have always bought the shredded cheese in poly bags and put in my freezer. Those brand name cheeses are coated in potato starch to keep the strand separate. Thanks for the advice and I do like your food recipe blog.
Yes, both of these types of cheese freeze great!
Can you freeze Swiss.and American cheeses individually
Yes, you can freeze it. The sauce sauce will likely separate when freezing it but it can be incorporated back together once thawed out and heated back up by whisking it thoroughly together.
I’d like to know the answer to the question of freezing nacho cheese sauce. I love it but I’m single & cant use the whole jar before it molds
Yes, I mozzarella is fine to freeze.
Really appreciate your site! You mentioned freezing mozzarella, but also don’t recommend freezing softer cheeses…is mozzarella OK to freeze?
Can you freeze shredded cheese in the bag it comes in? I don’t buy huge bags as there only 2 of us but would like to buy extra when it’s on sale and freeze it. Please let me know. Thank you.
Can you freeze a cheese ball?
Can I freeze pre-shredded cheese in it’s original packaging if not opened?
I generally do not freeze blocks of cheese. Thank you.
Should I put saran wrap on the outside of the block cheese that I want to freeze it in smaller portions before I freeze it.
Generally, I use mine pretty quickly or within a week and haven’t had any problems with it. Thank you.
My question is, after I freeze something and take it out to use it, how long is it good for? Do I have to use all of it right away?!
Great idea Linda! Thanks for sharing.
I buy large blocks of cheese at an Amish market, shred it in my food processor, bag it – labeled with type and date -and freeze. I do not buy shredded cheese, since it has cellulose in it – which is PAPER!!!
Never had any trouble!!
I don’t recommend freezing a block of cheese as I find that it does crumble when it defrost and I try to slice it.
Hi, you can freeze blocks of cheese but unthaw at room temperature, not in the fridge. Doesn’t crumble.
Yes that’s a great idea!
Can you also use a hand held food saver to extract air?
Me too Kathy!
I never thought of freezing shredded cheese. I do freeze blocks of cheddar if I’m planning to cook with it because the taste is the same.
You can also freeze whole tomatoes. I usually freeze Roma tomatoes for sauces or soup. They will not thaw and have the same texture as a fresh tomato.
Wash the tomato and make sure it is dry. Bag them in portions for you favorite soup
or any portion you want. Put them in a zip lock bag, push the air out and freeze. To use, remove the amount you want, run them under hot water and the skin peels off very easily. Do not soak. Use them as you would any tomato that you would cook.
I was wondering if you have ever frozen cheese sauce, that you use for nachos
I freeze cold cuts. They freeze really well. I’ve never held them in the freezer for more than 3 months but they were still good
I would like to know if you can freeze fresh coldcuts until you are ready to use them because i dont want them to go bad.
I freeze cheese all the time, I grate mine from block cheese, put in freezer bag and add about 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Shake very well then get air out and pop in freezer. The small amount of cornstarch keeps it from sticking together and helps thinker what ever I use it in.
I freeze shredded cheese all the time. I shred it then put it on a cookie sheet. Freeze for an hour then put in bags. It isn’t stuck together. For freezing slices I put them between deli sheets and they don’t stick together.
Was unaware of freezing the cheese, thanks for showing the method.