US Trends

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 2 canyou freeze cheese

Yes, you can freeze cheese, but how well it works depends a lot on the type of cheese and how you plan to use it later.

Can you freeze cheese at all?

Most cheeses are technically safe to freeze, and freezing can extend their usable life for several months. However, freezing usually changes the texture , making many cheeses more crumbly, dry, or mealy once thawed, so they’re best used for cooking rather than eaten as-is on a cheese board.

Which cheeses freeze well?

Cheeses that generally freeze best :

  • Hard cheeses: cheddar, Parmesan, Emmental, Swiss.
  • Semi-hard cheeses: Gouda and similar styles.

These keep their flavor fairly well, but will often be more crumbly or slightly drier after thawing, so they’re great for grating, melting on pizza, in casseroles, sauces, or grilled cheese.

Cheeses that don’t freeze well:

  • Soft and high-moisture cheeses: Brie, ricotta, cottage cheese, some fresh mozzarellas.
  • Many fresh cheeses: you tend to get grainy, watery, or separated textures after thawing.

You can still freeze some of these as a last resort to avoid waste, but expect a noticeable texture downgrade and plan to cook with them (e.g., in baked dishes) rather than eat them plain.

How to freeze cheese the right way

To get the best results, focus on portioning, tight wrapping, and slow thawing.

Basic steps:

  1. Cut into small portions
    • Slice, cube, or grate the cheese before freezing so you only thaw what you need.
  1. Wrap tightly
    • Wrap pieces in plastic wrap, parchment, or cheese paper, then overwrap with foil or place in a freezer-safe bag.
 * Squeeze out excess air from bags to reduce freezer burn and odor transfer.
  1. Label and date
    • Add the type of cheese and freezing date so you can use it within the ideal window.
  1. Freeze quickly
    • Faster freezing helps reduce large ice crystals and protects texture; use a colder zone or “quick freeze” function if available.
  1. Thaw in the fridge
    • Let cheese thaw slowly in the refrigerator, not at room temperature, to keep it safe and reduce moisture loss.
 * Shredded cheese can often go straight from freezer to a hot pan or oven dish.

How long can frozen cheese last?

  • Quality window: commonly up to about 6 months for best flavor and texture, especially for hard and semi-hard cheeses.
  • Some guidance allows 6–9 months with good wrapping, though longer storage increases the risk of dryness or flavor loss.

Even when it’s safe beyond that time, you might notice more crumbling, freezer flavors, or dull taste.

When freezing cheese makes sense

Freezing cheese is most useful when:

  • You bought a large block you can’t finish in time.
  • You want pre-grated cheese ready for quick weeknight cooking.
  • You’re okay using it mainly in hot dishes: pizzas, lasagnas, baked pasta, gratins, soups, sauces, or casseroles.

If you want perfect texture for a cheeseboard, snacking, or delicate soft cheeses, it’s better to keep only what you can eat fresh and store it properly in the fridge instead of freezing.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.