Sometimes we think about stocking up (online store) on food to avoid frequent trips out in public. A few people have asked us if it’s possible to freeze cheese. The answer is YES! And these muffins made with frozen cheese are a great demonstration (recipe below).
Freezing cheese
As mentioned in our frequently asked questions, firm cheese can be kept in the freezer for 6 months. Freezing cheese has little effect on its flavor and cooking properties. However, it’s worth noting that its texture may be slightly altered by the water particles in the cheese that expand when frozen. Firm cheeses, such as Swiss, Emmental, and Cheddar, freeze better than soft cheeses (like Brie), because the less moisture there is in the cheese, the less its texture will change with freezing.
And can cheese curds be frozen too?
Of course! But first, you should know that in Quebec, fresh daily cheese like our Le P’tit Frais Cheddar curds can be kept at room temperature for at least 24 hours from the end of its preparation early on the morning of delivery—meaning until 11:59 PM the following day—after which it must be refrigerated. Once refrigerated, cheese curds will keep for 21 days in the fridge in their original, unopened packaging.
It is also possible to freeze cheese curds.
Once frozen, it is recommended to let them thaw in the refrigerator before use. You can use them perfectly in a poutine, for example, topped with a delicious, hot poutine sauce.
To bring back the SQUEAK, place a few cheese curds in a resealable plastic bag and let them warm up for a few minutes in a bowl filled with fairly hot, lukewarm water. Magic! It’s also very useful to grate the curds and cook with them on pizzas, lasagnas, or macaroni and cheese.
A few freezing tips
- It’s best to freeze cheese in small quantities, in portions of 500g or less, since you should avoid refreezing cheese;
- Make sure to remove as much air as possible from your packaging before freezing;
- Take the time to label your package: name of the cheese and packaging date;
- Thaw in the fridge