Fresh mozzarella cheese is safe to freeze, but it could become very hard and make the cheese dry if you thaw the cheese and then refreeze it.
Ask your local grocery store or deli counter if you’re unsure if you can freeze fresh mozzarella.
Mozzarella cheese is a famous Italian cheese, especially eaten in grilled pizza or melted on salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes, and many more!
What is Mozzarella cheese made of?
A package of mozzarella cheese has a high water content, which makes it perfect for grilling. It also contains salt so it won’t spoil as quickly as other cheeses. The milk used to make mozzarella cheese comes from cows fed with grass and hay.
The milk is heated until it reaches a temperature of about 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32°C). This process takes around 30 minutes. After the heating process, the curds are separated from the whey.
Then, they’re put into large vats where they’re stretched by hand over several days. The cheese is salted and aged for at least two weeks to get rid of excess moisture.
How To Freeze Fresh Mozzarella?
Mozzarella is a popular food throughout Italy and in some parts of America. This form of cheese is a soft, white, and mild-tasting product made from the milk of water buffalo or cow.
It’s typically used in various dishes, including pasta salads, pizzas, and sandwiches.
Here’s how to freeze mozzarella cheese:
STEP 1: Place the fresh cheese slice on a cookie sheet lined with plastic wrap. Mozzarella tends to shrink if refrigerated for any length of time. So it’s best to freeze it immediately after slicing, then thaw it as needed.
STEP 2: Place a layer of parchment paper on top of the cheese between wax paper to prevent the bottom of the sheet pan from sticking.
STEP 3: Cover the entire sheet pan with plastic wrap.
STEP 4: Insert the pan into the freezer. The goal is to freeze the cheese completely solid before moving it to the refrigerator.
STEP 5: Once frozen, remove the cheese from the freezer and place it back in its original container. It would be best to have a block of frozen cheese ready to use.
How to Thaw Frozen Mozzarella Cheese?
In this age of instant gratification, it’s easy to think that if something isn’t immediately ready to eat, it’s not good.
For blocks of cheese, though, there is a big difference between what’s good and what’s great. It takes time to make a great piece of cheese, and the first step in making that happen is to take it out of the refrigerator.
Read on for instructions on how to thaw frozen mozzarella cheese.
STEP 1: Remove the block of mozzarella cheese from the packaging. Cut the block into smaller sections with a sharp knife.
STEP 2: Transfer the frozen cheese to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for five to six minutes or until the cheese has softened.
STEP 3: Let the chunks of cheese sit for a couple of minutes before unwrapping. This allows it to become pliable, making it easier to cut and shape.
STEP 4: Use your hands to gently squeeze the cheese to help release any air bubbles inside.
STEP 5: Wrap the cheese tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
How to Store Frozen Mozzarella Cheese
As the season for grilling heats up, so does the search for the perfect cheese to serve with a backyard barbecue.
Mozzarella is the undisputed king of grilling cheese because of its melting ability. However, if you don’t have access to a grill, it’s still possible to cook your mozzarella in the oven.
Read on to learn how to store frozen mozzarella cheese in the freezer so you can defrost it quickly for future grilling.
STEP 1: Make sure your freezer is set at 0° F. This is the temperature range that will freeze mozzarella cheese, allowing it to be frozen solid before it melts when heated in the oven.
STEP 2: Lay your fresh mozzarella cheese in the bottom of a 1-quart freezer container. The cheese should be cut into one-inch cubes and placed in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the container, but don’t leave any significant gaps either.
STEP 3: Add 1/2 cup of cold water to the container. If you use a glass container, add enough water to cover the cheese by about an inch.
STEP 4: Freeze the container for 24 hours. After freezing, the cheese should be hard enough to slice easily.
STEP 5: Transfer it to a microwave-safe dish when you are ready to use the cheese. Microwaving will soften the cheese slightly, but it won’t melt completely.
STEP 6: Place the dish in the microwave for two to three minutes or until the desired consistency is reached.
STEP 7: Serve the cheese as soon as it comes out of the microwave. To keep it soft longer, let it cool on a wire rack.
Frequently Asked Questions About Freezing Mozzarella Cheese:
What is the shelf life of fresh mozzarella cheese?
Fresh mozzarella cheese can be stored in the refrigerator for four days. However, it becomes less flavorful after just a couple of days.
You can extend the shelf life of fresh mozzarella cheese, freeze it instead. You can freeze fresh mozzarella for up to eight months.
What happens if you freeze fresh mozzarella?
When you freeze fresh mozzarella cheese, it doesn’t lose much flavor. Some people prefer the taste of frozen cheese over fresh.
If I freeze my mozzarella cheese, do I need to thaw it before serving?
Yes. Thawing frozen cheese is easy. Just put it in the microwave for 30 seconds or place it in a warm (not hot) oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
Can I freeze other types of cheese?
Yes! Other cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, Gouda, Parmesan, blue cheese, etc., all work well in the freezer. Follow the same steps outlined above.
What size containers should I buy for storing frozen cheese?
For best results, store frozen cheese in a 1-quart freezer bag. It’s the ideal size for holding a pound of cheese.
However, if you only have small cheese, you may want to consider smaller bags.
A 1-cup freezer bag works great for this purpose.
You can also use plastic ice cube trays to store shredded cheese. They come with premeasured cups, and each cup holds about half a cup of frozen cheese.
How to Avoid Freezer Burn?
Freeze fresh mozzarella cheese in individual portions, so they stay separate from each other. That way, there is no risk of them sticking together and avoiding freezer burn.
Also, make sure not to touch the surface of the cheese while it is frozen. Doing so could cause it to stick together.
Don’t worry too much about air pockets forming inside the cheese. These aren’t harmful, and they disappear once the cheese has been defrosted.
Our Favorite Mozzarella Cheese Recipe:
A simple and easy recipe for fresh mozzarella cheese. It is so delicious. You will want to make it again and again!
This simple and easy fresh mozzarella recipe uses only 4 ingredients. The result will impress even the most experienced chef.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. fresh mozzarella cheese
- 3 tablespoons butter
- Salt
- Pepper
Directions:
- Slice the mozzarella cheese into 1-inch cubes.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir in the salt and pepper once the butter has melted.
- Pour the mixture over the cheese cubes and mix thoroughly.
- Transfer the cheese to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Wrap the pan tightly in aluminum wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- Remove the cheese from the fridge and allow it to sit at room temperature for a couple of hours.
Slice the cheese into thin slices using a sharp knife.
Enjoy immediately.
Note: This recipe makes enough cheese for six servings. If you need more than that amount, double the recipe.
Last words
Freezing mozzarella cheese is a simple process that takes very little time. When you master this technique, you will never go back to buying pre-packaged cheese again.
Please leave any questions or comments below. We’d love to hear from you.