Cheeses that cannot be frozen well are soft, fresh, or high-moisture varieties like Brie, Camembert, Cottage Cheese, Ricotta, Feta, Queso Fresco, fresh Goat Cheese, Cream Cheese, and most processed cheeses, because freezing ruins their texture, making them crumbly, watery, or separated. These are best enjoyed fresh, while harder, lower-moisture cheeses (like Cheddar, Mozzarella, Swiss, Parmesan, Gouda) freeze better, especially if grated and used in cooking.
Cheese you Should Not Freeze Do Not freeze 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.
Soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, Neufchâtel, and some fresh goat cheeses lose their texture and quality when frozen. They may separate or become watery after thawing.
If you find yourself asking, “Can you freeze cheese?,” the answer is yes. But it's not always the best option. Hard or semi-hard cheeses can be frozen, but softer cheeses like cream cheese and ricotta cheese don't freeze well. Cheese is best when stored in the refrigerator and eaten fresh.
You can't freeze cheese because the moisture inside forms ice crystals, which break down its structure, making it crumbly, mealy, and watery when thawed, especially for soft cheeses. While hard cheeses like cheddar can be frozen for cooking (melting, sauces, casseroles), soft cheeses (brie, feta, fresh mozzarella) and those with live cultures (blue cheese) suffer significant texture loss and are best used fresh, though you can freeze them for cooked dishes to avoid waste.
You can also freeze Swiss cheese by following the same method above (paper first, then loosely in plastic wrap) and adding a final layer of heavy duty aluminum foil. Your cheese should last up to six months in the freezer using this method.
But the shelf life of dairy products can be short, and if you're trying to cut costs by buying bulk or reducing delivery frequency, then you risk ingredients reaching their use-by date before you've got to them. The good news is that many dairy products, including mozzarella, freeze incredibly well.
The answer is yes! Freezing feta cheese can extend its shelf life and allow you to enjoy it over an extended period. Before freezing feta cheese, it is important to drain any excess liquid and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container.
You can't freeze cheese because the moisture inside forms ice crystals, which break down its structure, making it crumbly, mealy, and watery when thawed, especially for soft cheeses. While hard cheeses like cheddar can be frozen for cooking (melting, sauces, casseroles), soft cheeses (brie, feta, fresh mozzarella) and those with live cultures (blue cheese) suffer significant texture loss and are best used fresh, though you can freeze them for cooked dishes to avoid waste.
The first thing to note is that 'best by' or 'sell by' dates on cheese are a guideline for quality, not safety. Cheese often remains safe to eat beyond these dates if it's stored in the right way. Shelf life varies depending on the type of cheese.
Some softer cheeses such as Brie and Camembert can also be frozen, although they generally don't freeze as well as hard varieties. Cheeses generally retain their flavor after freezing, but they can become crumbly and mealy and are thus harder to slice.
Because Gouda Cheese is a firmer style cheese, freezing it often does less damage to the flavor and texture as a whole. If you do choose to freeze your cheese, in order to retain an enjoyable flavor, we recommend keeping it frozen for no more than 6 months.
The healthiest cheeses are often fresh, low-sodium options like Cottage Cheese, due to its high protein and low calories, and Mozzarella, known for being lower in sodium and fat. Other excellent choices include Ricotta, Goat Cheese, and Parmesan, offering good protein, calcium, and flavor without excessive calories, though portion control remains key for all cheeses.
Brie, Camembert, fresh goat's cheese and cream cheese don't freeze well. Their high moisture content makes them separate or turn grainy once thawed. They're best enjoyed fresh, especially if you want them on a cheeseboard.
To save on time, you can freeze feta cheese as a whole block; it's quick and straightforward. However, it's in your best interest to cut it into sizable portions before freezing. Portioning this way makes handling, storing and defrosting the cheese easier and more efficient, especially when you're in a rush.
Before freezing, the moisture in a cheese is distributed evenly throughout its interior, along with fat, protein, and minerals. Freezing turns that moisture into ice crystals, which damages the cheese's structure and can affect whether its texture is crumbly or pliable, firm or pasty after thawing.
The flavor of Parmesan tends to remain robust and nutty despite freezing. Unlike the texture, flavor loss is minimal if frozen and thawed properly, and the cheese performs well in sauces, baked dishes, and pasta toppings. However, if frozen a very long time (beyond 12-18 months), slight flavor degradation can occur.
Cheeses that Freeze Well
You can't freeze bocconcini to make it last longer or taste better. Because of its texture and delicate nature, bocconcini cheese doesn't freeze or defort well after putting in in the freezer. Although it might still be possible to eat it and enjoy the taste, the quality of the cheese will decrease.
If you plan on using it grated, it's best to grate before freezing. Lay a bag of grated cheese out flat and don't pack it too tightly. The cheese will keep in the freezer for up to three months. To thaw, place it in the fridge for 24 hours.
Freezing string cheese is possible, but it can affect its texture. When thawed, the cheese may become crumbly and lose its stringy consistency. However, the taste and safety of the cheese should remain intact.