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Can You Freeze Cheese? Complete Guide by Cheese Type

29 Apr 2025
Can You Freeze Cheese? Complete Guide by Cheese Type

Can You Freeze Cheese? Complete Guide by Cheese Type

What's in This Article

  • Quick Answer: Can You Freeze Cheese?
  • Why Freeze Cheese?
  • How Freezing Affects Different Cheese Types
  • Step-by-Step Guide to Freezing Cheese
  • Best Practices for Thawing Frozen Cheese
  • How Long Can You Freeze Cheese?
  • Creative Ways to Use Previously Frozen Cheese
  • FAQs About Freezing Cheese

Quick Answer: Can You Freeze Cheese?

Yes, you can freeze most types of cheese! While some varieties freeze better than others, freezing cheese is an excellent way to extend shelf life and reduce food waste. Hard and semi-hard cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, and Colby freeze exceptionally well, while soft cheeses like Brie may experience some texture changes but remain perfectly safe to eat. At Bargain Boxed, we recommend freezing cheese when you find amazing deals on bulk quantities to make the most of your savings.

Why Freeze Cheese?

Freezing cheese offers several benefits for savvy shoppers:

  • Extended shelf life: Freezing can extend cheese life by 4-6 months beyond the best-by date when stored properly
  • Stock up on sales: Take advantage of Bargain Boxed's unbeatable cheese deals without worrying about waste
  • Reduce food waste: Preserve cheese before it spoils
  • Budget-friendly meal planning: Always have cheese on hand for recipes
  • Convenience factor: Prep grated cheese in advance for quick meal additions

How Freezing Affects Different Cheese Types

Not all cheeses react the same way to freezing. Here's what you can expect from freezing different cheese varieties:

Hard and Semi-Hard Cheeses (Excellent for Freezing)

  • Cheddar: Freezes extremely well with minimal texture changes
  • Swiss: Maintains flavor excellently through freezing
  • Colby and Monterey Jack: Freeze beautifully with little noticeable difference after thawing
  • Parmesan and Romano: These aged hard cheeses freeze wonderfully, especially when grated
  • Gouda: Handles freezing well, particularly younger varieties

Semi-Soft Cheeses (Good for Freezing)

  • Havarti: May become slightly more crumbly but flavor remains intact
  • Mozzarella: Best when frozen shredded; use in cooked dishes after thawing
  • Provolone: Freezes reasonably well, especially for cooking applications
  • Brick cheese: Maintains most of its characteristics after freezing

Soft Cheeses (Freezable with Some Changes)

  • Cream cheese: May become slightly grainy but works perfectly in baking and cooking
  • Cottage cheese: Texture will change, but still excellent for casseroles and baked dishes
  • Ricotta: Can separate slightly, but works wonderfully in lasagna and baked goods after thawing
  • Brie and Camembert: Texture changes noticeably but remains safe and flavorful for cooking

Not Recommended for Freezing

  • Blue cheese: Can become overly crumbly and intense in flavor
  • Feta: May become too dry and lose its characteristic texture
  • Fresh mozzarella: Will release moisture and become rubbery

Step-by-Step Guide to Freezing Cheese

For best results when freezing cheese, follow these simple steps:

  1. Portion appropriately: Cut larger blocks into 1/2 pound portions or smaller based on your typical usage
  2. Consider grating: Shredded cheese freezes and thaws more evenly than blocks
  3. Remove original packaging: Take cheese out of store packaging which isn't designed for freezing
  4. Double-wrap tightly: First in plastic wrap, pressing out all air, then in a freezer bag or aluminum foil
  5. Label clearly: Mark the type of cheese and date frozen
  6. Freeze quickly: Place in the coldest part of your freezer for rapid freezing
Can You Freeze Cheese? Complete Guide by Cheese Type

Best Practices for Thawing Frozen Cheese

Proper thawing is key to maintaining the best quality:

  1. Slow thawing: Always thaw cheese in the refrigerator (never at room temperature)
  2. Timing matters: Allow 24-48 hours for blocks to thaw completely
  3. Use within days: Consume previously frozen cheese within 2-3 days of thawing
  4. Cook from frozen: Shredded cheese can often be used directly from frozen in cooking

How Long Can You Freeze Cheese?

While cheese can technically be frozen indefinitely and remain safe to eat, we recommend these timeframes for optimal quality:

  • Hard and aged cheeses: 6-8 months
  • Semi-hard cheeses: 4-6 months
  • Soft cheeses: 2-3 months
  • Shredded cheese: 3-4 months

Remember that proper wrapping is essential to prevent freezer burn and maintain quality during storage. At Bargain Boxed, we've found that double-wrapping cheese significantly extends its freezer life.

Creative Ways to Use Previously Frozen Cheese

Once thawed, some cheeses may have slight texture changes. Here are perfect ways to use them:

  • Melted applications: Grilled cheese sandwiches, quesadillas, mac and cheese
  • Baked dishes: Casseroles, lasagna, enchiladas, pizza
  • Sauces: Cheese sauces, fondue, queso dip
  • Soups: Broccoli cheese soup, French onion soup
  • Grated toppings: Sprinkle on pasta, soups, or salads

FAQs About Freezing Cheese

Does freezing cheese affect its nutritional value?

No, freezing cheese does not impact its nutritional profile. All proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals remain intact through the freezing process.

Can I refreeze cheese after it's been thawed?

We don't recommend refreezing cheese after thawing as it can lead to significant texture degradation and potential quality issues.

Why does cheese sometimes become crumbly after freezing?

During freezing, the water content in cheese forms ice crystals that can disrupt the cheese's structure, leading to a more crumbly texture after thawing, particularly in higher-moisture cheeses.

How can I tell if frozen cheese has gone bad?

Signs of spoiled frozen cheese include off odors, mold growth after thawing, excessive dryness, or unusual discoloration. When in doubt, follow the food safety rule: "when in doubt, throw it out."

Can cheese be frozen in its original packaging?

Most commercial cheese packaging isn't designed for long-term freezer storage. For best results, rewrap cheese in moisture-proof, airtight materials before freezing.

Is cheese past its best-by date safe to freeze?

Absolutely! As long as the cheese shows no signs of spoilage, freezing cheese even on or slightly past its best-by date is a smart way to preserve it. At Bargain Boxed, we're big proponents of reducing food waste by properly storing items like cheese.

Can I freeze cheese slices for sandwiches?

Yes! Place small pieces of parchment paper between individual slices before wrapping and freezing to prevent them from sticking together.

Does shredded cheese freeze better than blocks?

Generally, yes. Shredded cheese freezes more uniformly and thaws more quickly than blocks, making it ideal for freezing, especially for cooking applications.

Can I use frozen-then-thawed cheese on a cheese board?

While safe to eat, previously frozen cheeses may not have the ideal texture for a cheese board. They work better in cooked applications where slight texture changes won't be noticeable.


At Bargain Boxed, we're committed to helping you make the most of your food budget without sacrificing quality. Freezing cheese is one of our favorite money-saving tips that allows you to take full advantage of our incredible deals on quality cheeses. By properly freezing cheese, you can stock up when prices are low and enjoy the convenience of always having this versatile ingredient on hand for your favorite recipes.

Remember, while other retailers might focus on fancy packaging or unnecessary membership fees, we keep our prices lower than anywhere else online by focusing on what matters most - delivering quality products at unbeatable prices, with no hidden fees or complicated return policies. Shop smart, save big, and never worry about wasting cheese again!

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