Can You Freeze Queso Fresco? Easy Guide to Freeze Queso Fresco

Name: Can You Freeze Queso Fresco? Easy Guide to Freeze Queso Fresco
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: Please check the end of the post for recipe ingredients.; If you don't find any, let me know in comments.

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

5 minutes read

Table of Contents

In this article, you will know the answer to the query “Can You Freeze Queso Fresco?“.

The queso fresco is a firm, fresh cheese that melts easily and can be used on nachos, tacos, and sandwiches.

Because it contains little or no lactose, it’s ideal for those with lactose intolerance.

The texture of Queso Fresco is similar to Monterey Jack cheese and it can be topped with chiles, herbs, or spices.

Frozen fresh, homemade queso fresco can be stored for up to two months.

For best results, store it in heavy-duty freezer bags or airtight containers.

You can freeze this cheese before or after cooking, but if you want it to be used in the future, you’ll need to cook it first.

If you intend to serve the queso fresco as an appetizer, include cilantro and chopped chiles with the cheese before serving.

Our article will guide you through freezing homemade queso fresco and reheating it on the stove.

What’s Queso Fresco?

Fresh, white cheese, queso fresco melts easily. It has a salty, creamy taste and a firm structure.

Hence, it is also called Queso Blanco or “fresh cheese” because of its lack of rennet.

In Central American countries such as El Salvador, Belize, and Guatemala, queso fresco is popular.

These markets sell fresh cheese wrapped in tortillas or corn husks for customers to take home and eat right away.

In addition to desserts and salads, this cheese is used as a topping.

In the United States, you can find queso fresco in specialty grocery stores with Latin food selections.

It can also be found in some mainstream supermarkets under the name “Mexican cheese”.

Many ways can be used to serve queso fresco, but the most common method is to melt it over tacos or nachos.

Does Freezing Affect Queso Fresco?

The flavor and texture of queso fresco do not change when frozen.

When you plan to cook with queso fresco, you should freeze the cheese before cooking.

To prevent overcooking in the oven or on a hot pan, thaw the cheese first.

A long baking time is especially important if you are planning to use frozen cheese in a recipe.

It is also possible to bake cheese dishes ahead of time, such as quesadillas and flautas.

As a result of freezing, ice crystals are prevented from forming, which may alter the texture and taste of your cheese dish once it’s cooked.

How to Freeze Queso Fresco?

The process of freezing queso fresco is simple and can be done in several ways.

Alternatively, you can freeze your cheese in an airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag.

Depending on how much queso fresco you want to freeze, and your storage options, you will choose your method.

When storing very small amounts of fresh cheese, it’s best to keep it in an airtight container.

Place a glass container or bowl covered with plastic wrap in the freezer.

The cheese should be frozen in a container to prevent freezer odors from affecting it.

Vacuum-sealing cheese is another option.

A vacuum sealer can also prevent freezer burn, so use it if you have one.

The vacuum-sealed portions of queso fresco can be cooked straight from the freezer without thawing, and will still taste delicious.

You can prepare queso fresco for freezing by following these steps:

Make sure the cheese is cut into small pieces before freezing. You may use a sharp knife or kitchen shears. As soon as you cut the cheese, it doesn’t matter if it’s frozen.
Smaller pieces of cheese will defrost faster than large chunks, especially if your freezer is crowded.
Alternatively, freeze queso fresco in a freezer bag if you do not have any storage containers on hand. In addition, it’s important to place the cheese pieces so that they don’t touch one another.
Put it in the freezer and mark the package with the date so you know how long it’s been there.
These can be kept in the freezer for about two months after they’re frozen.

How to Thaw Frozen Queso Fresco?

Thaw the cheese out on the counter overnight if you are just defrosting it for use in a recipe.

When the cheese has sat on the counter for 12 hours, it is ready to be used.

By placing the queso fresco in a bowl and covering it with plastic wrap, you can speed up the defrosting process.

It is also possible to leave the cheese in the fridge overnight.

The fridge must be left to defrost for 24 hours.

Make sure to place the cheese on a plate so that it does not sit in puddles of condensation as it thaws.

When you are ready to use the cheese, ensure that it has been completely thawed.

How to Use Thawed Queso Fresco?

There are several ways to use frozen or thawed queso fresco.

Cheese should be added at the last minute so that your dishes don’t have an overly strong flavor or smell.

If you want the cheese to be as good as new, we recommend thawing it and using it within three days.

In any recipe, you can use thawed cheese instead of fresh queso fresco.

It’s okay if you add too much-frozen cheese to the recipe, as it will melt as it cooks.

The following are some ideas for using thawed queso fresco:

To make enchiladas or Spanish rice, mix it with cheese sauce.
Serve it with a Mexican grilled cheese sandwich, such as the Spicy Quesadilla Melt with Avocado and Bacon.
You can use this as an alternative to cheddar cheese, Parmesan, or Münster.
If you want, you can use it in quesadillas or tacos by grilling it with a bit of oil.
If you want a rich, creamy texture, you can also put it in fresh salsa.

How to Tell if Queso Fresco is Bad?

Check the texture, smell, and color of the cheese to determine if it’s bad.

A very sour smell indicates that the fresh cheese is spoiled.

Dry or crumbly cheese suggests that it needs to be refrigerated.

A fresh piece of cheese should have a creamy texture when you touch it.

Look for mold signs, such as spots or a fuzzy, gray residue, when determining if the cheese is bad.

In case of discoloration or slime, you should not eat it.

To determine how long it has been in your refrigerator, check the expiration date on the package.

To determine how long something will stay fresh, check the “use by” date if there isn’t an expiration date.

Conclusion

To conclude, queso fresco is a delicious, creamy, and fresh Mexican cheese that’s great for cooking or snacking.

Moreover, it is very versatile, so you can add fresh flavors to your queso fresco to enhance nearly any meal.

Food waste can be prevented and money can be saved by freezing it.

Proper storage is the key to keeping queso fresco.

Whether the cheese is fresh or frozen when you store it doesn’t matter because it will taste just as good once defrosted.

Now that you know how to freeze cheese, you can use the instructions above to freeze fresh cheese.

Having a Mexican treat daily is easy with this recipe.