Can You Freeze Cheese? Yes—Here’s What You Need to Know
Updated: Sep. 03, 2023
You can buy cheese in bulk and find no shortage of ways to enjoy it. But can you freeze cheese to make it last longer?
Dairy products are notoriously fussy when it comes to freezing. But when there’s a great sale at the grocery store, it’s hard to resist the siren call of delicious 2 for $4 cheese. After all, it doesn’t last forever in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze cheese?
Yes—sometimes! The general rule of thumb is that freezing cheese will likely change its texture. If you do opt to freeze extra cheese, its best use after thawing is for cooking—the texture change becomes a moot point after it’s all melted. You probably don’t want to freeze the fancy stuff you bought for snacking on with homemade crackers, though. But frozen cheese, once thawed, would be perfect in a cheesy casserole recipe.
Here are some FAQs about freezing cheese, along with their answers:
1. Can you freeze mozzarella cheese?
Blocks of mozzarella or shredded mozzarella are fine to freeze, though they tend to have a crumbly texture after freezing. Just avoid freezing fresh mozzarella, as its high water content has a likelihood of forming ice crystals.
2. Can you freeze cottage cheese?
Cottage cheese, along with ricotta cheese, can be frozen. However, upon thawing, both cheeses are likely to have a grainier texture. As with most frozen cheeses, thawed cottage and ricotta cheeses are best used in baked or cooked recipes. Try using the extras in a ricotta cheese recipe instead.
3. Can you freeze cheese slices?
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. Have you heard about raclette cheese? It is the classic Swiss dish you need to be making right now.
4. Can you freeze shredded cheese?
For prepackaged shredded cheese, place the package in a freezer bag before putting it in the freezer. For cheese you shred or grate yourself, place it in a freezer bag and carefully remove as much air as possible from the bag. Freezing food this way can prevent freezer burn.
You Won't Be Able to Resist the Cheesiest Recipes We've Ever Made!
Hot Cheese DipWhen a colleague brought this cheesy dip to school for a teachers potluck, I immediately gave it an A+. I had to have the recipe for this irresistibly creamy recipe to make for my family! —Ardyce Piehl, Poynette, Wisconsin
Cheesy Pizza CasseroleI discovered this recipe in the reader's exchange page of our local electric cooperative's magazine. Serve it whenever you've got a crowd to please!—Judy Chandler, Franklin, Kentucky
Cheddar-Bacon DipBoth children and adults enjoy this dip. And I'm a fan because it's so quick and easy to prepare. I make it for special occasions…birthdays, Christmas parties and more. —Carol Werkman, Neerlandia, Alberta
Cheese GritsAs a comfy side dish, cheese grits have fantastic potential but sometimes need a flavor boost. For add-ins, try red pepper flakes, fresh rosemary or crushed garlic. —Paula Hughes, Birmingham, Alabama
Cheesy Sausage StromboliI've had a hundred requests for this recipe over the years. Perfect for brunch or as an evening snack, this sausage-filled bread is not tricky to make—and I never have to worry about storing leftovers! —Vada McRoberts, Silver Lake, Kansas
Cheesy Ham ChowderMy five children all agree that this soothing recipe is wonderful. The soup is full of potatoes, carrots and ham. The best part is that I can get it on the table in only a half hour of hands-on time. —Jennifer Trenhaile, Emerson, Nebraska
Hot Pizza DipYou can assemble this easy appetizer in a jiffy. The pizza dip goes very fast, so you may want to make two batches. —Stacie Morse, South Otselic, New York
Cheesy Chicken 'n' ShellsWhen our friend served us this entree, I asked her for the recipe right away. It was so good, I thought I would share it with others. I cut the recipe down for a meal or two, but it can easily be doubled or tripled. —Jodee Harding, Mount Vernon, Ohio
Mini Grilled CheeseIf you're looking for a fantastic make-ahead snack, try these miniature grilled cheese sandwiches. They're nice to have in the freezer for lunch with soup or a salad. My family loves to nibble on them anytime. —Anita Curtis, Camarillo, California
Fiesta Beef & Cheese Skillet CobblerI tweaked my beefy skillet cobbler until it achieved the wow factor. It's now a family tradition. Top it off with lettuce, avocado, cherry tomatoes and a dollop of sour cream. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
Grilled Goat Cheese & Arugula SandwichesTo create a more “grown-up” grilled cheese sandwich, I threw in tangy goat cheese and peppery arugula. I enjoy a similar combination on pizza, and it worked here, too! —Jess Apfe, Berkeley, California
Favorite Chili CheeseburgersI like to experiment when making hamburgers and stuffing them with sharp Cheddar cheese makes them absolutely delicious. For lighter fare, I sometimes use a combination of lean ground beef and ground turkey. —Deb Williams, Peoria, Arizona
Originally Published: March 07, 2019
