Freezing dairy products can be a little tricky. But this comprehensive guide on how to freeze and store dairy products has got your back.
These methods and tips have worked like a charm for me and several other home cooks.
Let’s get right into it.
Benefits of Freezing Dairy Products
Although freezing dairy can seem ill-advised, there are several perks to freezing dairy products, from being economical to preserving nutrients.
It is Economical
It is always cheaper to buy in bulk than with single portions. So, with dairy products like cheese, you can always go ahead and buy that big batch and freeze them to use at your convenience.
Freezing Avoids Wastage
Dairy products will only last for so long outside or in the fridge. So, a great way to extend its shelf life and use it at your pace is to freeze them. But be sure to freeze them as soon as you can to keep them fresh for longer.
Freezing Preserves the Nutritional Value
Freezing is also a great way to store dairy products for the long term without losing any of their nutritional value. Although it can lose its texture, dairy products are completely safe and healthy to consume.
Pre-Freezing Preparations for Dairy Products
These few preparatory tips can make freezing dairy products a lot more effective, and using them after they thaw is a hassle-free affair.
Decide How You Plan to Use Them Later On
Especially in the case of eggs, decide how you plan to use them in your recipes. If you would like the yolk and whites separate, it would be best to do it beforehand and freeze them separately.
Similarly, decide how you would like the cheese – as shreds or as cubes to add to recipes.
Portion Beforehand
Refreezing dairy products is a big no. So, it would be best to portion the dairy products into portions or measures that you normally use in a recipe or mealtime.
This way, you can avoid wastage or having to deal with portioning thawed dairy.
Methods of Freezing Dairy Products
Once you have covered the preparatory steps, you can dive right into any of these methods to freeze dairy products.
Method 1 – Freezing Dairy in Freezer-Safe Air-Tight Containers
Be it milk, cheese, or yogurt you can portion and freeze all dairy products in a freezer-safe air-tight container using this method.
- Transfer the dairy into a freezer-safe air-tight container.
- Leave at least an inch space at the top of the container to make room for the dairy to expand when it freezes.
- Seal the container and add a label on it with the best before date, and you are good to go.
Check out this video on freezing milk by “Jerry James Stone” on YouTube to get a better idea –
Method 2 – Freezing Dairy in Ziploc Bags
This is a great way to freeze dairy, especially if you are short on freezer space and want to store small portions.
- Portion the dairy product and transfer it into a Ziploc bag.
- Seal the bag after making sure to squeeze out as much air as you can.
- Label the bag with the best before date
- Freeze it lying down flat on a baking sheet, and then later you can stack the flat bags of dairy on top of each other to save space.
Here is a video guide by “The Frugal Life with Mercedes” on YouTube –
Method 3 – Freezing Dairy after Flash Freezing Them
When it comes to cheese, compound butter, or the like, it is always best to portion them beforehand and freeze them pieces individually before packing and freezing them for the long term.
- Cut and portion the dairy product, like cheese, into slices, shreds, coins, or cubes as you prefer.
- Lay them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure to space them evenly and not clumped together.
- Flash freeze the dairy by leaving the tray in the freezer for a couple of hours or overnight and letting the dairy product freeze solid.
- Transfer the frozen dairy into a Ziploc bag or freezer-safe air-tight container and seal them in.
- Label the bag or container with the date, and you are all set.
To get a clearer picture, check out this video by “MOMables – Laura Fuentes” on YouTube –
Method 4 – Freezing Dairy in Ice Cube Trays
If you are looking to freeze tiny portions of dairy, like coffee creamers or even eggs, freezing in ice cube trays is a great way to portion and freeze them.
- Pour the dairy product into an ice cube tray (you could use muffin trays or silicone molds if you want bigger portions.
- Cover the tray to avoid odor from seeping in, and leave it in the freezer for a couple of hours or overnight to flash freeze.
- Transfer the frozen cubes of dairy into a freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag and seal them. If you are using a Ziploc bag, make sure to squeeze out all the excess air before sealing them.
- Label the bag or container with the best before date, and you are ready to freeze the dairy cubes till you need them next.
Check out this video on freezing dairy by “Hip2Save” on YouTube for a better picture –
How to Store Frozen Dairy Products?
You can store frozen dairy products in any freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag.
Air is the enemy when it comes to freezing dairy, and so, it is important that no matter which container you use it thoroughly keeps air out and protects the dairy from freezer burns.
Precautions before Freezing Dairy
When freezing liquid dairy products, be it milk, half-and-half, or spread cheese, make sure to leave some an inch or two of space at the top of the container.
This is essential to accommodate any expansion that happens once the dairy freezes. Or else the container can crack and leak its contents.
Another thing to keep in mind is portion size. Refreezing dairy products is strongly advised against. So, to void wastage or having to refreeze portion the dairy beforehand into manageable measures.
Also, try and freeze the dairy as soon as you have bought it. The longer it stays out or in the fridge, the less fresh it will be when you freeze them.
Best Materials to Pack In
Although any freezer-safe air-tight container will do, plastic containers are preferred. If enough space is not given in the glass container, the dairy can expand and crack it, exposing it to air and leaving a mess behind.
Never freeze dairy products in cardboard packaging or cans that you bought them in, especially if it hasn’t been opened yet. These containers are not freezer safe, and they can crack and leak.
Best Places to Store After Packing
When freezing for the long term, it is always best to keep it in the coldest corner of the freezer to maintain a steady temperature.
Bottom Line
I hope this article helped you freeze and store dairy products in long term.
If you have any doubts or would like to share some tips and tricks of your own, it would be great to hear from
you.
Feel free to share this article with your dairy-loving friends and family.
How to Freeze Specific Dairy Products with Ease?
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