Meta cheese makes our dishes delicious. What happens when you exceed the meta cheese in your kitchen? Will you store it for later use?
Well, it’s a good option because you can store meta cheese for long-term use, but there are some safety measures that you should keep in mind.
In this blog post, I will share some secret tips on how to store feta cheese.
Contents
Why Do We Freeze Meta Cheese?
Feta cheese has a shorter shelf life compared to other types of cheese. So the best method to store it is freezing. By freezing, we can use feta for the long term. Its texture and flavor also stay fresh.
How Can You Freeze Feta Cheese? Easy Step-By-Step Guide
You can increase the shelf life of feta cheese by freezing it. You can store frozen feta cheese for up to three months.
What We Need
First of all, we need fresh or brined feta cheese. Then, a paper towel is used to drain the cheese, and plastic wrap covers the cheese.
Airtight freezer bags or vacuum-sealed bags are required to store in the freezer. Lastly, we need a marker and pen to mention the date on the container.
Let’s go now and see how it’s a complete step-by-step process.
Step 1: Prepare Feta Cheese
If you have feta cheese in brine, remove it from this container. Empty it for some time so that the extra liquid drains out. You can also drain this using a paper tower.
It will remove the extra moisture completely. The additional moisture creates crystals when you freeze it.
Step 2: Cut Feta Cheese Into Small Portions
Cutting the heavy feta cheese block into small portions and slices is a good option. If you have a heavy cheese block, cut it into small pieces. You can cut it into small cubes and slices depending on your needs. But small slices or pieces are better than large blocks.
Step 3: Wrap Feta Cheese
Place the feta cheese cube or slice in the middle of one plastic wrap and then wrap it. Some people put all the cheese slices in a single plastic wrap. I do not recommend this to you; this way, your cheese can stick to another one and get spoiled.
You can cover it twice in plastic wrap if you want more protection. I expertly cover it all with a single layer of plastic wrap.
Step 4: Put Cheese Into Container For Freezing
When covering the cheese in plastic wrap, use an airtight freezing or vacuum-sealed bag. Put the wrapped feta cheese in the bag. If you use an airtight freezing bag, remove as much air as possible after sealing it.
In the case of a vacuum sealer, follow the instructions & place it in the freezer.
Step 5: Mention Date
Label the container where you want to store feta cheese and mention the date. It helps you remember which day you froze the cheese.
Also Read: Can You Freeze Parmesan Cheese?
Some additional Instructions
There are some essential things to remember while freezing feta cheese.
When putting the bag in the freezer, make sure it is straight so the cheese freezes properly.
As you know, you can store feta cheese for up to three months. But because of its good texture and taste, I recommend using it within one month only.
How Can You Thaw Frozen Feta Cheese?
You can not use frozen cheese directly for cooking. It is necessary to thaw it first. Here is the best method to cook frozen feta cheese:
The most common and easy way to thaw cheese is to remove it from the freezer and keep it in the fridge. You can keep it in the refrigerator for almost one night and then use it in cooking.
You can also thaw it in the room at a safe temperature, but I do not recommend this method of thawing at room temperature.
Do you want to thaw quickly? Here’s a simple process for you. Keep the sealed bag in a bowl of cold water; the cheese will melt in two to three hours. It is a simple process to thaw feta cheese, which I do quickly. Avoid shortcuts to prevent cheese spoilage.
Freezing cheese may slightly change its texture, but the taste remains the same. You can use thawed feta cheese in various dishes, like pasta, pizza, and other dishes.
Can You Freeze Crumbled Feta Cheese?
Yes, you can freeze every type of feta cheese. The process of freezing crumbled feta cheese is also straightforward. Crumbled feta cheese follows the same process as frozen feta cheese, but it’s starting process is slightly different.
First, spread it on the baking tray; this way, it will not stick. Then, transfer it to a freezer bag once it comes in solid form. The process of transferring it to the freezer bag is the same as for block cheese.
Also Read: Can You Freeze Rice Pudding?
FaQs
Can You Freeze Feta Cheese In Its Original Packing?
It is not safe to freeze feta cheese in its original packing. You should use a proper freezing method. You can store feta cheese for up to three months using the above process.
How Long Can You Freeze Feta Cheese?
If feta cheese is frozen correctly, its shelf life lasts up to 3 months. I recommend using it within one month to maintain freshness and texture.
Can You Refreeze Thawed Feta Cheese?
Yes, you can refreeze, but I have yet to recommend this. The quality of cheese deteriorates after thawing; if you refreeze it, then there is a high chance of it getting spoiled; even if it does not get spoiled, the texture will change a lot, and there can be a change in the flavor also.
Conclusion
You can freeze feta cheese for three months. It will stay fresh if you freeze and thaw it correctly. Always freeze feta cheese in an airtight container. Don’t try to thaw it using any shortcut method.
If you want to thaw quickly, put the sealed bag directly in a bowl of cold water. This way, your cheese will be melted within 2 hours. Don’t freeze cheese in its original packaging; air can get in.