Can You Freeze American Cheese?
Yes, you can freeze American cheese. But, it won’t taste the same.
It will be very soft and mushy. You may try freezing it in slices.
The slices will melt in your mouth and you can enjoy the
flavor of cheese without all the melted fat.
What is American Cheese?
The question is quite common. Many people don’t even know what American Cheese is. Some say it’s real cheese or that it’s not actually cheese, some say it’s
processed cheese, and some say one of the types of cheese.
American Cheese is a food product manufactured from milk, cream, skimmed milk powder, salt, water, emulsifiers, stabilizers, and other ingredients. It’s a type of cheese that has a soft texture and a mild flavor.
American Cheese is a staple food item in America.
The question is, What Makes This Cheese American?
American Cheese was patented in America by James Kraft. He named it after himself and called it “American” because he thought it would be popular among Americans.
Where Do We Usually Use American Cheese?
American Cheese is used for pizza toppings, sandwiches, burgers, baked macaroni and other foods.
The best place to find American Cheese is at grocery stores in singles, or you can also buy the cheese in bulk.
How Long Does American Cheese Last When Not Frozen?
American Cheese lasts for about 2 weeks when stored at room temperature. When you freeze American cheese, it will last longer than when you store it in the fridge.
Can You Freeze American Cheese?
Definitely, you can store American Cheese in the refrigerator for up to three weeks, but freeze it if you want to keep it longer.
How To Freeze American Cheese
Follow these steps to freeze American cheese properly.
- First, wrap the cheese slices individually in plastic wrap if it is not already in their original packaging.
- Second, place the cheese slices into a freezer bag
- Third, seal the bag tightly
- Fouth, label the bag with the date you are freezing them
- Lastly, Place the bag in the freezer for at least 24 hours
Note: You can also put the individually wrapped cheese slices freezer-safe airtight container instead of the freezer bag and parchment paper or wax paper instead of plastic wrap. The best way to store cheese is at 0°F (-18°C). However, you should always check the expiration date.
Does Freezing Affect American cheese? How Will It Be Different?
Yes, it tastes different than when it was fresh.
Frozen cheese will remain safe to consume, but the texture changes from soft to firm, but you can use it the same for cooking.
It tastes different because it changes physically during freezing. When you freeze American cheese, the fat content decreases, which causes the melting point to increase; this means that the cheese becomes harder and more crumbly.
How Long Can You Freeze American Cheese?
You can freeze American Cheese for up to 6 months. However, once thawed, the cheese should be eaten immediately. If you want to keep the cheese longer, make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the freezer.
How To Thaw American Cheese Properly
Thawing American Cheese is easy. Here are the best ways to thaw American Cheese properly:
1. Put it into a bowl of water for about 10 minutes. Do not remove its plastic wrapping or any wrapping. This method works because the ice melts faster than the cheese.
2. Place the cheese in running tap water until it has completely melted
3. Just let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Your cheese should be soft after these processes and the cheese ready for consumption.
Bonus
Classic Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe using American Cheese
Ingredients:
- 2 slice white bread or any bread of choice
- 2 slices American Cheese slices
- butter
Directions:
The best way to prepare a grilled cheese sandwich is to use a nonstick pan. If you don’t have one, then grease the pan well with butter. Preheat the pan to medium heat with butter then, place two slices of bread into the pan and put the American Cheese slices onto each bread. Place one piece of bread on top of the other piece, and press down firmly until the American Cheese slices melt completely and the bread is golden brown in color. You can also cover the pan to make the slices of cheese melt better for a more creamy texture. Remove from heat and cut into halves.
Fun Facts About American Cheese And Cheese In General
American Cheese is made from pasteurized milk. It’s considered processed food because it contains additives like artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, and emulsifiers.
Cheese is a dairy product.
American Cheese got a mild flavor and a soft texture than other cheese
American Cheese is easy to find in most grocery stores, convenience stores, and delis.
American Cheese is not really a “cheese” totally. Less than 51% of a Kraft Single is Cheese.
There are different beliefs about American Cheese’s origin, and it is speculated that it was invented in Switzerland.
Americans eat more cheese than any other nation on Earth and consume almost half of the world’s supply of cheddar cheese,
Americans are also the world’s largest producer of cheese. The total cheese production in America in 2020 was 13.25 billion pounds.
Final Words
Freezing also helps keep the food safe from bacteria growth, but the main benefit of freezing cheese is that it keeps the food fresh for longer so you can enjoy it for a longer time and so it’s available to you anytime you crave a heartful cheesy meal.