Quick Answer: Can You Freeze Feta Cheese?
Yes, you can freeze feta cheese, and it can last well in the freezer for up to three months. You can freeze it in blocks or as crumbles. Ziploc bags are the best way to freeze and store feta cheese. Once it thaws, you can also correct its flavor with a few simple ingredients in the pantry.
The creamy and salty-tasting feta cheese can elevate your pasta or salads.
So, if you find yourself with a little extra feta cheese, you could freeze it, and use it later, instead of throwing it away.
If you are wondering how I have found the following methods and tips to freeze feta cheese.
So, let’s get started with the first one.
Can You Freeze Feta Cheese Blocks?
If you have bought some feta cheese blocks in bulk, then portioning and freezing them would help keep them last longer in the freezer.
Materials
- Feta Cheese Block
- Paper Towel
- Cling Wrap
- Freezer-Safe Container or Ziploc Bags
Tools
- No special tools needed
Instructions
- Drain the Brine - If you buy packages of feta cheese blocks, they mostly come immersed in some brine solution.
So, drain the liquid out and pat-dry excess liquid from the feta cheese blocks.
Take care not to dry the block completely, as the cheese will dry up once it freezes. - Portion the Cheese - Divide the block into portions you would normally consume at a time.
If you would like to have small cubes of feta cheese, you can go ahead and cut them up into the desired size before portioning. - Wrap the Cheese - Using a cling wrap, wrap the individual feta cheese blocks.
This helps prevent freezer burns.
If instead, you have cut them into small cubes, you can skip this step. - Pack and Seal - Put the wrapped blocks or small cubes of feta cheese into an air-tight freezer-safe container or a Ziploc bag.
Seal it, making sure to squeeze out as much air as you can when using a Ziploc bag. - Label and Freeze - Add a label onto the bag or container with the date and freeze it till you need it next.
Freezing Feta Cheese Crumbles
Time Taken: 5 – 10 minutes
What You Need:
- Feta Cheese Crumbles
- Ziploc Bag or Freezer-Safe Container
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
If you have bought pre-crumbled feta cheese or like to have the cheese crumbled and ready to go, then this is how you can freeze it.
Spread the Cheese Out
Take a baking sheet or any flat tray that you can fit in your freezer, and layout the feta cheese crumbles on it.
Ensure that the cheese is not too close to each other as they can freeze into one big lump, which is difficult to handle.
You could use parchment paper to separate the layers if you have more than one layer of cheese to freeze.
Flash Freeze
Leave the feta cheese on the baking sheet in the freezer for a couple of hours or overnight and let it set.
Portion and Pack
Divide the feta cheese crumbles into portions you would likely consume at a time and place them in Ziploc bags or freezer-safe air-tight containers.
Seal, Label, and Freeze
Seal the bag or container and add a label with the date on it.
Then you are all set to freeze feta cheese crumbles.
How Long Can You Freeze Feta Cheese?
You can freeze feta cheese for one to three months in the freezer.
But the more it stays in the freezer, the worse its quality gets.
So, it is best advised to consume the frozen feta cheese sooner rather than later.
The freezer life of the frozen feta cheese also depends on the freshness of the cheese before it was frozen.
If the feta cheese was fresh off the shelf, it could last for more than three months, but it is better to use it within the one-month mark if it was closer to the expiry date.
How to Store Frozen Feta Cheese?
You can store feta cheese in any freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag.
Using a Ziploc bag is best advised if you are looking to save space in the freezer and have a big batch freeze.
If you store frozen feta cheese blocks, it is best to wrap them well with cling wrap to avoid freezer burns.
But if you are freezing feta cheese crumbles or cubes, you can directly store it in a Ziploc bag or freezer-safe container.
How to Defrost Feta Cheese?
To defrost feta cheese, you can take out the portion you need and stick it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours or overnight to let it thaw gradually.
But if you are in a hurry and want to hasten the process, you could also place the bag or container of frozen feta cheese in a bowl of cold water.
The cheese will thaw in an hour or so.
If you are looking to cook the frozen feta cheese, you can skip the defrosting and use it directly in your recipes.
Can You Refreeze Feta Cheese?
No, it is strongly advised not to refreeze feta cheese.
The feta cheese, once it thaws, can change in texture and quality.
Refreezing it only worsens this condition and could result in health risks if you consume it.
Does Feta Cheese Freeze Well?
Feta cheese freezes moderately well.
Though it lasts well in the freezer for up to three months or so, it is best advised to consume it sooner rather than later.
The longer it stays in the freezer, the worse its quality and richness of taste can get.
There are, however, quick fixes to the change in taste.
If you want to bring back the saltiness, you can immerse it in a brine solution for a while.
If you want a more savory and bolder flavor, you can immerse it in olive oil.
FAQs
No, the brine or excess liquid with the feta cheese must be removed before freezing it.
The salt and other elements can increase the chances of the cheese spoiling faster.
To reduce the saltiness of the frozen feta cheese, you can immerse it in milk or water once it has been defrosted. This can also help make the feta cheese creamier in texture.
Bottom Line
We hope this article helped you keep extra feta cheese in your pantry last longer.
If you can think of any other cooler ways to freeze feta cheese, do let us know.
Also, feel free to share this article with all your friends who could use a little Mediterranean cheesy goodness in their life.