Greece and feta! It’s hard to separate the two. Most Greeks have enjoyed this kind of cheese for decades. They like to eat it fresh, bit by bit, so that they can savor the taste, hoping it will last for a long time.
And who wouldn’t? Feta cheese has a sharp, briny flavor and gritty texture, which is sure to boost your appetite. As it’s a worldwide sensation, I wouldn’t be surprised if you have some feta in your kitchen right now. How do you like to use it? As a pizza topping, in pies or on the table? You’ll be amazed how many ways there are to use feta.
But what if you’ve made too much? Can you freeze feta cheese? Yes, of course, you can! But do you know how? It’s time to learn how to freeze cheese the right way!
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Freezing Feta Cheese
Feta cheese is made up of 70% cow’s milk and 30% goat’s milk. The name feta means slice in Greek. That’s where its name came from. A long time ago, it was called barrel or white cheese.
What You Will Need
I’m not surprised you want to know how to freeze it, as feta cheese sells quickly in the market and grocers, and can be out of stock within a few days. It is so expensive, I can understand why shoppers save money by buying lots of it when a big sale starts, so that they won’t run out of it. The best storage option is absolutely freezing, and here’s how you do it!
- Paper towel.
- Knife.
- Cutting board.
- Plastic wrap.
- Freezer bag.
- Vacuum sealer.
- Permanent marker.
Feta cheese is sold in large blocks in packs. There is also brine inside these packs to keep the cheese fresh for a long time. The cheese will last even longer when it is stored in the fridge, submerged in brine and covered. However, if you have far too much on your hands, let’s start freezing some of it.
How Do We Freeze Feta Cheese?
1. Firstly, you need to pour the brine out of the package. Then pat it dry with your prepared paper towel.
2. If you have bought it in small packs, you’ll not have trouble cutting the cheese into slices. However, I don’t find it practical to buy feta in small portions as it’s costly. So buying it in big blocks is best, and I take it that you’ve done the same.
Cut your cheese blocks into small portions, using your knife and cutting board. The ideal size should be based on what you need per serving.
3. Wrap each piece with a plastic wrap twice. This will keep it protected from both freezer burn and bacterial contamination.
4. Place each portion into individual freezer bags and vacuum seal it to get rid of the air inside. If you don’t have a vacuum sealer, you can do it by pressing the bag to let the air out, and then sealing it tight.
5. Label it with the current date so that you can track it down over time. It is recommended that you do not store feta cheese for more than a maximum of three months. After that, its taste will degrade.
How To Thaw Your Frozen Feta Cheese
Make sure that you don’t thaw your feta cheese at room temperature, as this will give bacteria a chance to contaminate it.
Take the cheese out of the freezer when you need it and transfer it to your fridge, then let it thaw for a few hours. Never take the plastic wrap off, if you do that it will soon dry out.
When you think the cheese is fully thawed, unwrap it and place it in your container. As you would expect, freezing makes the cheese tasteless. But there’s no need to worry. Just submerge it into your homemade brine for two hours or store it in olive oil. This will bring back the desired taste.
- Important: Make sure that you eat your thawed feta cheese within three days and never put it back in the freezer.
The freezing method saves us from wasting feta cheese, saves money and means you can use the cheese anytime you need it. However, you should do it the correct way to make sure the cheese lasts. It is best to blend thawed cheese with cooked dishes, like soups and casseroles.
Now you know that feta cheese can be frozen and the best way of doing it. The steps are so simple you can do it yourself. Try to share this with your friends. It will be fun doing it together!
