In a nutshell: Yes, feta cheese can be frozen to extend its shelf life. However, remember that the cheese’s texture and flavor may slightly change upon thawing.
Popular in Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, fresh feta is a firm salty white cheese that can be crumbly or creamy. This Greek specialty cheese is usually purchased in a liquid such as feta brine or olive oil as a natural preservative to retain its salty taste and creamy texture.
It is no surprise that the Greek cheese is one of the main components in Greek salad, served traditionally with olives. Feta works well in pasta, pizza, mixed with vegetable bakes, and served in meat dishes.
In fact, feta cheese is a great addition to almost any savory meal. With such versatility, you definitely don’t want to throw any of it away.
To prolong the shelf life of feta cheese, the good news is that you can freeze it. There are however a few things you need to keep in mind when doing this. Read on for some feta cheese tips and a full guide to storing feta cheese in the freezer.
Can Feta Cheese Be Frozen?
Yes, you can store feta cheese in the freezer to prevent it from going to waste. Even though the cheese keeps well in the freezer, there will be some changes to the texture and flavor on thawing.
How does freezing affect feta cheese?
Freezing feta may reduce saltiness, however, this is not a bad thing for everyone as feta cheese tends to be on the salty side. If you prefer the intense saltiness, you can always submerge the cheese in a brine of salt and water once defrosted to restore some of the salty flavors.
Due to fairly high water content, the texture will change a little during the freezing process. The liquid part turns to ice crystals which results in defrosted feta cheese undergoing a slight structural change as the crystals melt.
Ultimately, you will end up with a crumblier cheese than before freezing, but even with the crumbly texture it is still great to use in many dishes and can be kept in olive oil with dried herbs after thawing for some extra flavor and moisture.
Follow the steps below to freeze feta blocks or preserve leftover feta in the freezer.
How To Freeze Feta Cheese
Step 1: Drain
Remove the feta cheese from the brine if stored in a liquid and dab it dry with a paper towel. It does not have to be completely dry, but you do want to remove the excess water from the feta blocks.
Step 2: Portion
Divide the feta into portion sizes that will be suitable for defrosting in the quantities you will need. It is best to cut large blocks into smaller portions if you are not yet sure what you will be using the feta for once thawed. This gives you a bit more flexibility.
Step 3: Plastic Wrap
Wrap each portion in a few layers of cling film, ensuring that no gaps are left open where air can enter and cause freezer burn.
Step 4: Pack
Place the wrapped portions into zip lock freezer bags. Press out as much air as possible before sealing tightly. If you have a vacuum sealer, vacuum seal it for even better preservation.
If you do not have a sealable freezer bag use an airtight freezer friendly container or wrap it well in layer of aluminum foil for extra protection.
Step 5: Label
Label the bag or plastic container with the date and contents to help you keep track of how long the cheese has been in the freezer.
Note: You can freeze crumbled feta in the same way in a freezer container with an airtight lid or plastic bag.
How To Defrost Frozen Feta Cheese
It is preferable to defrost feta cheese in the refrigerator. Remove it from the freezer and place it in the fridge overnight keeping it in the packaging. After thawing feta, remove the wrapping and store it in a brine of salt and water, olive oil, or plain in an airtight container.
If you are rushed for time, you can also place the bag of frozen feta in a bowl of cold water for a few hours to defrost. This will speed up the thawing process.
Types of Feta Cheese
Traditionally, feta cheese was made with sheep and goat milk only, but cow milk feta has now become commercially popular.
Feta is a white softly brined cheese generally found in block form. It has a salty flavor and varies from firm to soft varieties. The firm variety is tangy and can be crumbled into dishes, while the soft cheese is creamier, almost spreadable, yet holds its shape. It is, however, not as soft as cream cheese or cottage cheese.
You can buy feta cheese in a saline solution or brine to prolong its shelf life and retain its salty flavor and creamy texture. It is advisable to continue storing it this way in the refrigerator at home. When you are ready to use it, simply take it out of the brine and crumble or cut feta cubes into the desired dish. Feta can be eaten as is or added to other ingredients in cooked dishes.
FAQs
How long does feta cheese last?
Feta cheese that has been opened and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container without any liquid will only last up to a week. If the feta cheese is kept in brine or olive oil, it will last significantly longer in the fridge and will be good for up to a month.
How long does frozen feta cheese last?
When freezing feta cheese correctly, you can prolong its shelf life by two to three months in the freezer. Once thawed, the cheese should be used within three days.
How can you use thawed feta cheese?
Frozen and thawed feta might not retain its pre-frozen creaminess and flavor, but it is still a great ingredient to add to pie fillings, pizza, omelets, sauces, vegetables, frittata, and meat fillings. Add crumbled feta cheese to mashed potatoes, pasta, and casseroles. When using frozen feta cubes in salad, it is best to add olive oil or toss it in a salad dressing once thawed to reconstitute some of the moisture.
How do you know if feta cheese has gone bad?
Signs that feta cheese has expired include a sour smell and flavor as well as possibly developing mold.
Can you refreeze feta cheese?
No, when defrosting feta cheese it should be used within 3 days or discarded. Like other dairy products, leaving feta at room temperature or refreezing it may result in food poisoning due to the growth of harmful bacteria.
Can you freeze unopened feta cheese?
Yes, unopened feta cheese can be frozen if it is not kept in brine or any other liquid. It is best to remove it from the store packaging and wrap it as per the instructions in the ‘How to Freeze Feta Cheese’ section for the best preservation. It can be safely stored for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Can you freeze crumbled feta?
Freezing crumbled feta can be done by draining the opened feta and patting it dry with a paper towel. Place a silicone mat on a cookie sheet and spread the feta out in a single layer to pre freeze.
Let the cheese freeze for a few hours on the sheet. Remove it once frozen solid and pack it into single portions in freezer bags so you can just remove as much as you need at a time. Label and place it back in the freezer.
On thawing you might have less salty feta with a slight texture change but it is still great quality for later use in a variety of cooked dishes, casseroles, and pastas.
Does freezing feta change the texture?
Yes, freezing feta cheese can alter its texture. Once thawed, the cheese may become crumbly or slightly more grainy compared to its original texture.
Conclusion
Although feta will not retain its exact creamy and salty characteristics once frozen, it can still add loads of rich flavor and deliciousness to your recipes. Its versatility makes it the perfect ingredient to always have on hand to add to pasta, pizza, vegetables, baked dishes, and casseroles to name but a few dishes.
Freezing feta cheese allows you to use it for a couple of months down the line instead of seeing it go to waste. Since it is not a cheap product, this is an especially good way to prolong its shelf life. The addition of feta will give your cooked meals a little extra pizzazz.
As a qualified Holistic Nutritionist, Helga has also combined her passion for good food and healthy living in wellness coaching. After years practicing in the catering and hospitality industries, Helga now focuses on sharing her knowledge and experience with others through writing about food tips, cooking advice, wellness, global food trends, and travel.
