Can You Freeze Cheese & Should You?

If you have too much shredded mozzarella in your fridge or an extra wedge of parmesan, you might be wondering: Can you freeze cheese? It's not really as simple as yes or no! Yes, you can technically freeze cheese. But do you want to freeze cheese? That's a bit more subjective—and it depends on the kind of cheese and what you're making.

It’s important to remember that texture is everything with cheese. Bubbly, stretchy mozzarella is what makes a classic cheese pizza extra delicious. Melty American or cheddar cheese is what makes a cheeseburger super decadent. Once you place cheese in the freezer, you should be aware that the texture will change. Sure, it's possible to freeze cheese—and many cheesy dishes taste great when baked from frozen (Ree Drummond's frozen goat cheese is proof!), but just keep in mind that some cheeses fare better than others in the freezer. And cheese that has been frozen and thawed may develop a gritty and/or crumbly texture—so it's not always great to serve raw.

Best cheeses to freeze

• As a general rule, it’s best to freeze cheeses that are designed to be used in cooked dishes rather than eaten fresh.
• Hard and semi-hard cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, brick cheese, and blue cheese can be frozen, but their texture will often become crumbly and mealy. They will also be harder to slice.
• Mozzarella and pizza cheese are generally suitable for freezing as well, particularly shredded pizza cheese. Still, its texture and melting properties may be negatively affected.
• Some semi-soft cheeses like Stilton or soft goat cheese are well suited to freezing, too.
• Plus, cream cheese can be frozen but may separate upon thawing. However, you can then whip it to improve its texture.

Worst cheeses to freeze

Hard and semi-hard cheeses with lower moisture and higher fat contents are best suited for freezing. Delicate, hand-crafted cheeses, processed varieties, and most soft cheeses are generally unsuited for this preservation method.

• Grated hard cheeses like Parmesan and Romano can be frozen, but it’s more sensible to keep them in the refrigerator, where they will keep for up to 12 months. That way, you won’t experience the loss in quality that comes with freezing.
• In general, hand-crafted cheeses with delicate flavors and aromas don’t freeze well and are best bought in smaller portions and eaten fresh.
• Freezing is also not recommended for fresh curd cheeses like cottage cheese, ricotta, and quark due to their high moisture content. Yes, you can make a lasagna with ricotta or cottage cheese and stick it in the freezer and it will be fine. But if you're looking to make a ricotta dip, or eat cottage cheese for breakfast or put some brie on a cheese plate, you're better off with the fresh stuff.
• Similarly, soft, ripened cheeses, such as brie, Camembert, fontina, or Muenster, are best eaten fresh and can be ripened in the refrigerator.
• Likewise, while blue cheese can be frozen, low temperatures can damage the molds that are essential to the ripening process. Therefore, these cheeses are better enjoyed fresh.
• Lastly, processed cheeses and cheese spreads are unsuitable for freezing.