Can You Freeze Feta Cheese? Easy Guide to Freeze Feta Cheese at Home

Ayub KhanandRehmat DietitianMarch 15, 2023Last Updated: April 12, 2023

8 minutes read

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In this article, you will know the answer to the query “Can You Freeze Feta Cheese? Easy Guide to Freeze Feta Cheese at Home“.

In Mediterranean and Greek cuisines, Feta cheese is a common ingredient.

Many people enjoy the taste of this cheese because it’s creamy, salty, and mildly tangy.

There is not enough time to eat this cheese. Is feta cheese possible to freeze?

Yes, that is possible. It is possible to get around the expiration date in several ways.

The option of freezing feta cheese is an option if you bought too much cheese or the store made a mistake that caused you to purchase more than you could use before it went bad.

Even though feta cheese tastes slightly different when frozen, it can still be used in many dishes.

We will explain how to freeze feta cheese and provide some suggestions on how to bring back its flavor once it has been defrosted.

Why You Should Freeze Feta Cheese?

The easiest and most popular way to extend the shelf life of cheese is to freeze it. There are cheeses that freeze well and do not lose their quality when defrosted.

It is best to keep others cold. Since it undergoes some changes in its flavor and texture when frozen, Feta cheese is not the best cheese for freezing.

However, it can still be enjoyed after it has been defrosted.

By properly preparing, freezing, and defrosting cheese, you can make the most of it.

You can freeze a lot of feta cheese and then store it for later use. You should, however, consider the pros and cons.

Before you decide whether this cheese is worth freezing, you should learn about what happens to it in the freezer.

Does Freezing Affect Feta Cheese?

When feta cheese is frozen, the taste can be affected. Keeping feta cheese in the freezer can also affect its consistency.

As a result, it can only be used in a limited number of dishes.

If you freeze feta cheese, here’s what happens:

1. Flavor

Defining itself as a mild, tangy cheese, Feta cheese has long been popular in Greece. Creamy, rich, salty, and mildly sweet, Feta cheese has long been a popular cheese in Greece.

The taste of feta cheese changes when it is frozen. The cheese becomes milder and richer when frozen.

As a result of freezing, feta cheese retains its water content more so than when refrigerated – making for a fresher, more tasty product that is less salty.

Feta cheese should not be frozen, especially if it is an authentic, high-quality Greek feta cheese.

If you want to use the cheese later, keep it in the refrigerator and freeze it instead of throwing it away.

2. Texture

The texture of feta cheese that has been frozen or thawed is usually more crumbly.

After thawing, you will notice a smaller difference in the texture of crumbled feta cheese.

After being frozen, feta cheese becomes more rigid. Although these blocks are useful for cooking, they cannot be used for making a nice presentation.

Because it has lost its liquid, cheese can become a little drier when it is frozen. Feta cheese, in particular, can have high water content.

After the cheese has been frozen, ice crystals form from the water crystals.

Cheese can have a different texture because of this. Water is also replaced by air or ice crystals in the space occupied by water.

How to Freeze Feta Cheese – The Best Way

There are many ways to purchase Feta cheese. The cheese comes in blocks or crumbles.

Depending on the type of feta cheese you are using, the preparation process can vary.

The process of freezing feta cheese requires this step most of all. You will waste your product if you fail to do it correctly.

Following are the steps for freezing feta cheese, regardless of whether it’s in blocks or chunks.

How to Freeze Feta Cheese in Blocks?

The cheese is typically sold in blocks rather than crumbled.

Cheese is sold in these markets as large bricks in salty water, like brine.

You can follow these instructions if you have a block of feta cheese:

Any feta cheese that has been in brine should be strained. Open the feta that has not been opened and remove it from the liquid.
Dab the cheese with a paper towel to remove the liquid. The liquid does not have to be completely removed. Dabbing will completely dry the cheese.
Cut the feta cheese into blocks to the size you desire. Do not assume that one size will fit all when it comes to recipes; think about how much you want to produce and what your specific dish calls for.
The packaging has now been completed. Packaging feta cheese correctly will ensure it lasts.

Cling film should be used to wrap each piece of feta cheese.

In this way, the cheese can be protected from moisture and freeze-burns.

It is recommended that you store the cheese separately in freezer bags.

As well, it is important to leave some space between the frozen cheese and the container when it freezes.

Once this package has been sealed, place it in a large freezer bag.

This will ensure that your product stays intact and is protected from moisture and damage from other frozen items.

Put the cheese in the fridge if you plan to use it in a dish that requires quick preparation.

Do not remove it from its packaging unless you are ready to use it.

If there is no need to freeze the cheese, it can be kept in the fridge for up to two days.

You can use the cheese whenever you like by storing it in an airtight container.

You should clearly label any bag containing frozen products, including feta cheese, so you know what is inside and when it was packaged.

How to Freeze Crumbled Feta Cheese?

It is also possible to purchase feta crumbled. Feta crumbles are versatile and are a popular choice because of this.

It can be used as a topping for salads and as a filling.

Preparing crumbled feta cheese for freezing is as simple as following these steps.

You can either thaw your Feta cheese portions individually before eating them or put all of the cheese in one large freezer bag and thaw it at a time.
You can use the container that the cheese came in to store it in the refrigerator. You can wrap the container with cling wrap in several layers if you wish.

Additionally, crumbled feta can be frozen in airtight containers.

If you are certain the cheese will be stored in the freezer for a long time, you can also cover it with plastic wrap.

Keep the cheese container labeled at all times.

It will prevent you from eating too much cheese since you won’t know when it was frozen.

How Long Does Frozen Feta Cheese Last?

Unlike most dairy products, feta cheese doesn’t last too long. It has a best-before date that can be extended for up to a week if it is still in brine.

After being opened, feta cheese that has not been kept in the liquid will spoil quickly. Approximately seven days after opening.

It will last about a month in the refrigerator if it is in a brine of the best quality.

Because olive oil is a natural preservative, it extends the shelf life of feta cheese by up to one month.

You can extend the shelf life of feta cheese by storing it in the freezer.

The best quality Feta cheese is kept in the freezer for about a month. After three months, it can be reused.

You should remember that how well you prepare and package the cheese for cold storage determines how long it will last.

How to Tell if Feta Cheese is Spoiled?

Throw away any feta that shows any of these signs right away.

There will be spoilage:

Cheese that smells funny or is slimy should not be eaten.

When it has white spots with a pungent smell, don’t eat it because it usually means that the product is spoiled.

The feta should be thrown away if it has been stored in oil and looks gray or smells sour.

Cheese with an unusual color or texture should not be eaten.

Whenever you find that the feta is sour or moldy, you should throw it out of the refrigerator.

When you do not follow the correct storage guidelines, Feta cheese can sometimes become contaminated with listeria.

As listeria can be deadly, it is best to discard your feta cheese if you think it has been contaminated.

How to Thaw Frozen Feta Cheese?

At room temperature, feta cheese should not be thawed on your kitchen counter or anywhere else.

When using feta in a recipe, make sure it has been transferred from the cold storage to your refrigerator at least a few hours in advance.

According to the size of the pieces, the cheese may take between four and ten hours to thaw.

The best way to thaw feta is in the refrigerator so that its flavor and texture will remain.

Putting frozen feta cheese in cold water for about 1-2 hours until it is completely defrosted is an easy way to defrost it.

When the cheese is defrosted, it should be thoroughly drained before using.

How to Use Frozen Feta Cheese in Recipes?

When topped on a creamy Greek salad, feta cheese may be delightful, but frozen feta cheese may not deliver the same level of flavor.

The use of feta in salads is not prohibited, but there are ways to keep the taste of feta fresh in a salad if you would like to do so.

The use of frozen Feta cheese alone is rare in most recipes.

It is usually combined with other ingredients, such as herbs and spices, or added to cooked vegetables as a flavoring.

Defrosted feta cheese can be crumbled to make it more usable.

In addition to removing much of the water content of the cheese, crumbling it can also ensure your recipe will use less liquid.

The perfect spiced dish can also be served on top of falafels.

Besides soup, sandwiches, pasta, and pizza, feta cheese can also be added as a garnish.

If you wish to enhance the flavor of omelets or scrambled eggs, you can add pepper to them.

It is best not to thaw feta cheese before adding it to your pasta sauce.

Alternatively, you can add them frozen because they will add a tangy flavor to your pasta sauce and give it that Greek touch.

Feta cheese has been used successfully in sandwiches and salads by many people, but fresh rather than thawed is best.

On top of noodles or rice, you can also use feta crumbles, but the taste will be altered.

Should You Refreeze Feta Cheese after Defrosting?

Refreezing feta cheese after it has been defrosted and there is still some leftover is not a good idea.

When you thaw your feta cheese, you may still have some leftovers at the end of your meal, so you might decide that it is best to refreeze it.

If you suffer from certain allergies or medical conditions, this can lead to serious health problems.

Any leftover feta cheese after it has thawed should be thrown away because refreezing it could alter its texture.

If you choose to freeze your feta cheese, make sure that you follow the instructions carefully.

Conclusion

As a result, feta cheese is delicious whether it is fresh or frozen.

After the package has been opened and thawed, you can use feta cheese in many different ways without needing to defrost it.

If you are planning to freeze your feta cheese, follow the instructions carefully to avoid any health problems.

The idea of refreezing feta cheese one more time is not a good idea.

Once you have thawed any frozen food, it is best just to throw it away.