Kamil Perry
Feta cheese is a popular ingredient in many dishes, but does it freeze well? Freezing feta cheese can extend its shelf life and allow you to enjoy it for longer. However, freezing feta can alter its texture and taste. In this article, we will explore the best methods for freezing and thawing feta cheese to maintain its flavour and texture as much as possible. We will also discuss the potential downsides of freezing feta and provide suggestions for how to use frozen feta in your favourite dishes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can feta cheese be frozen? | Yes, feta cheese can be frozen. |
| How long can frozen feta cheese be stored? | Feta cheese can be stored in the freezer for about two to three months. |
| How to store feta cheese in the freezer? | Feta cheese can be stored in cling film, vacuum-sealed bags, or resealable freezer bags. |
| How to thaw frozen feta cheese? | Feta cheese can be thawed overnight in the refrigerator or by placing it in a bowl of cold water for a couple of hours. |
| Changes in texture and taste | Freezing feta cheese can make it drier, crumblier, and less salty. |
| Uses of frozen feta cheese | Frozen feta cheese is suitable for cooked dishes like casseroles, soups, or stews where texture is less important. It can also be used in salads with some adjustments to the recipe. |
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What You'll Learn
Feta freezes better than many other cheeses
Feta cheese can be frozen, and it freezes better than many other cheeses. While freezing can alter the texture and taste of feta, making it drier, crumbly, and less salty, it is still suitable for use in cooked dishes such as casseroles, soups, or salads with some tweaks to the recipe.
To freeze feta cheese, it is important to drain any excess liquid and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container or vacuum-sealed bags. Minimizing air exposure is crucial as the humidity can negatively affect the flavour. Feta can be frozen as a whole block or cut into portions before freezing, making it easier to handle and store.
The shelf life of frozen feta cheese is about two to three months. However, it is recommended to use the cheese within a month to maintain the best quality and avoid significant flavour and texture changes.
When thawing frozen feta, it is best to place it in the fridge overnight. If you're in a hurry, you can submerge it in cold water, which will defrost it within a couple of hours. It's important to note that frozen feta should not be refrozen.
While feta freezes better than many other cheeses, it is still a soft cheese, and some people prefer to avoid freezing soft cheeses. However, with the right storage methods and timely consumption, freezing feta can be a great way to extend its shelf life.
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Freezing feta changes its texture and flavour
Freezing feta can make it crumbly and less creamy, with a more intense saltiness. This change in texture is more noticeable with block feta than crumbled feta. It is best to use thawed feta in cooked dishes rather than fresh salads to mask any textural changes. However, some people enjoy the extra crumbly texture in a salad.
To minimise changes in texture and flavour, it is important to prepare the feta correctly before freezing. First, blot the cheese with a towel to absorb any excess water. Then, cut the feta into appropriately-sized portions, as it will be difficult to cut once frozen. Wrap the portions tightly in plastic wrap or freezer paper, minimising air exposure, and place in an airtight container or freezer bag. Finally, label the container with the date so you can keep track of how long the feta has been stored.
Feta can be defrosted overnight in the fridge or, if you're in a hurry, placed in a bowl of cold water for a couple of hours. If the feta has lost some saltiness, you can place it in brine for a couple of hours after defrosting.
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Feta can be frozen in brine or dry
Feta can be frozen in its original brine, which can help it retain its saltiness. However, it is important to note that feta stored in brine can last for up to four weeks in the fridge, so freezing may not be necessary unless you need to extend its shelf life for a few months.
To freeze feta in brine, ensure that the cheese is completely submerged in the liquid. This can be done by keeping the cheese in its original container or using an airtight container. It is important to avoid contamination and to label the container with the date to easily track how long the feta has been stored.
Feta can also be frozen dry. To do this, drain any excess liquid and wrap the cheese tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Vacuum-sealed bags or resealable freezer bags can also be used, but it is crucial to remove as much air as possible before sealing to prevent humidity from affecting the flavour.
Freezing feta will alter its texture and flavour, making it drier, crumbly, and less salty. This change is more noticeable with block feta compared to crumbled feta. Frozen feta is still suitable for use in cooked dishes where texture is less important, such as casseroles, soups, or stews. To use frozen feta, simply let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight or place it in a bowl of cold water for a couple of hours.
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Feta should be cut into portions before freezing
Feta cheese can be frozen, but it is important to prepare it correctly to retain its taste and texture as much as possible. One way to do this is to cut the feta into portions before freezing. This makes handling, storing, and defrosting the cheese easier and more efficient, especially when in a rush. Smaller portions are also great for meal prep, allowing you to grab the right amount of cheese without thawing the entire block.
To freeze feta cheese, start by draining any excess liquid. Then, cut the cheese into sizable portions. It is recommended to cut the feta into appropriate sizes for later use, as it will be difficult to cut precisely once frozen. Blot the cheese with a towel to absorb any remaining moisture.
Next, wrap each piece of feta tightly in plastic wrap or freezer paper to prevent freezer burn. Then, place the wrapped pieces in a freezer bag and seal it. Try to get as much air out of the bag as possible before sealing, as humidity can negatively affect the flavour. Finally, label your storage container with the date, so you can easily track how long the feta has been stored.
Freezing feta cheese can alter its texture and taste. It may become drier, crumbly, and less salty. These changes are more noticeable with block feta compared to crumbled feta. Frozen feta is best used in cooked dishes such as casseroles, soups, or stews, where texture is less important. It can also be used in salads, but you may need to add extra olive oil or salt to balance the flavour.
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Frozen feta is best used in cooked dishes
Feta cheese can be frozen, but its texture and taste will be altered. Freezing feta cheese can make it drier, crumbly, and less salty. Therefore, frozen feta is best used in cooked dishes where the changes in texture and taste are less noticeable.
When freezing feta cheese, it is important to minimise air exposure to prevent humidity from affecting the flavour. Feta can be frozen in its brine or dry. To freeze feta in brine, drain any excess liquid first and ensure that the block is completely submerged in the brine. Then, seal the container and store it in the freezer. If freezing dry feta, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container or vacuum-sealed bag.
It is recommended to cut the feta into portions before freezing to make handling and storing easier. Frozen feta can be thawed overnight in the refrigerator or by placing it in a bowl of cold water for a couple of hours. Once thawed, it is best to use the feta within a month to maintain its quality and avoid further changes in texture and taste.
Frozen feta can be added directly to cooked dishes such as casseroles, stews, or soups, where its altered texture and taste will be less noticeable. It can also be used in salads, but you may need to adjust the recipe by adding extra olive oil or salt to balance the flavour.
While freezing feta cheese can extend its shelf life, it is important to note that it will eventually spoil, and the texture and taste will change. Therefore, it is recommended to use frozen feta in cooked dishes where its altered characteristics will be less noticeable.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can freeze feta cheese. It is best to cut it into sizable portions before freezing, as this will make handling, storing, and defrosting the cheese easier.
Feta cheese can be frozen for about two to three months. However, it is best to use the feta within a month to maintain the best possible quality and avoid any flavour and texture changes.
The best way to defrost feta cheese is by placing it in the fridge overnight. If you are in a hurry, you can place it in a bowl of cold water and it will defrost within a couple of hours.
