Can You Freeze Goat Cheese?
Goat Cheese can be frozen without any harm to its quality or texture.
The best way to freeze goat cheese is to place it in a regular freezer bag and keep it frozen until you want to use it.
Leave it on your counter for about an hour if you thaw the cheese. It will still taste good but may not have as much creamy consistency.
What is Goat Cheese made of?
Goat cheese is typically made from pasteurized milk. Pasteurization kills bacteria that might cause illness, so it’s safe to eat. The milk is then mixed with rennet (a natural enzyme) which causes the curds to separate from the whey.
The curd is cut into small pieces and stirred continuously until they form a smooth mass. This process continues until all the liquid has been removed and the only solid matter remains.
At this point, salt is added to help preserve the cheese. Finally, the cheese is pressed and left to dry out naturally.
Benefits of Goat Cheese:
- It contains more protein than cow’s milk.
- It contains less fat than cow’s milk. It contains no cholesterol at all!
- It has a milder flavor than other cheeses.
- It’s lower in lactose than regular dairy products.
- It’s higher in calcium than most dairy products.
A note about the nutrition facts: As mentioned above, goat cheese blocks contain some fat, but they don’t contain cholesterol as regular dairy products do. So if you’re looking for something low-fat, go for it!
How to freeze goat cheese?
Goat cheese is a staple in our household. It’s great on crackers, sandwiches, salads, and even pizza. It can also be used as a dip for veggies, fruit, or bread.
If you want to save some of your favorite cheese for later, freeze it.
Process:
STEP 1: Wash and dry your cheese.
Wash your cheese in a colander or strainer. Ensure you have a clean surface and that the colander fits securely inside the sink.
STEP 2: Place the colander with your cheese in the freezer.
This will help it to solidify and keep the moisture inside the cheese. If you’re making a lot of cheese at once, you may want to set up a second colander on a tray in the freezer to hold the cheese while you finish making the rest.
STEP 3: Storage
Once your cheese has frozen solid, take it out of the freezer and place it in a zip-top bag. You’ll need a large bag to fit the cheese.
STEP 4: Labelling
Label the bag with the name and date of your cheese.
STEP 5: Store the cheese in a cool, dry place.
The cheese should be stored in a cool, dry place. Storing the cheese in a freezer is ideal. But if you don’t have room in your freezer, the refrigerator is a good option.
How To Thaw Frozen Goat Cheese?
You know how the weather can change quickly in the spring and fall, making it necessary to keep your freezer stocked with various frozen foods.
Unfortunately, that means you’re also faced with the challenge of thawing frozen goat cheese.
You probably won’t find this advice in any book on food safety, but frozen goat cheese doesn’t have to be a disaster.
Thawing frozen goat cheese can be a lot easier than you might think.
The good news is that you don’t have to thaw it in the microwave. Instead, read on to find out how to defrost frozen goat cheese in just a few easy steps.
Method #1:
- Remove the plastic wrapping and insert the package into a large bowl filled with warm water.
- Let the delicious cheese sit in the bowl for 10 minutes, then flip it over to let the other side soak.
- After another 10 minutes, remove the package from the water and repeat the process.
- Repeat the process after an additional 10 minutes.
- Remove the container of goat cheese from the water and place it in the refrigerator.
Method #2:
- Let the cheese sit out for 24 hours at room temperature. The next day, return the cheese to its freezer. If you want to keep the cheese for longer than a week, you should freeze it again.
- Take the pieces of goat cheese out of the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 12 hours. During that time, the cheese will slowly defrost.
After 12 hours, it’s safe to eat your spreadable goat cheese.
Tips & Tricks
Frozen cheese does have a different texture than fresh cheese. So when you’re eating it, make sure you like the flavor before deciding how long you want to keep it.
If you’re not going to use the cheese right away, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Freezing Goat Cheese Tips
1. Don’t overfill the airtight Ziploc freezer bag.
2. Label the sealable freezer bags with the name and date.
3. Freeze the block of cheese in batches.
4. Use a vacuum sealer to ensure the cheese stays fresh.
5. Try not to freeze too much cheese at once.
6. Thaw the cheese block overnight in the refrigerator when you’re ready to serve.
7. Keep the delectable goat cheese in an airtight container.
Enjoy!
Freezing Goat Cheese FAQs:
How do I know if my cheese is done?
Your fresh goat cheese needs to be firm enough to slice without crumbling. This usually takes about two weeks.
What happens if I freeze my cheese?
Freezing leftover cheese changes its text. For example, it makes it more crumbly.
Can I freeze my cheese after opening the package?
Yes, but only if you plan to use it within a few months. Once opened, the leftover goat cheese must be kept refrigerated.
Is there anything else I need to know about freezing cheese?
It’s best to avoid using metal containers when storing cheese because they could react with certain types of cheese.
Can frozen cheese be used as a substitute for fresh cheese?
No, it cannot.
Do I need to label my cheese?
Yes, it would be best if you always labeled your cheese.
Why are some cheeses sold in plastic wrap?
Plastic wrap helps prevent contamination from other foods or liquids.
Should I buy raw milk cheese?
Raw milk cheese is made by adding bacteria to pasteurized milk. Pasteurization kills the most harmful bacteria. However, there are still risks involved. You may want to read our article on why we recommend buying pasteurized dairy products instead of raw milk.
Last Words
The best way to enjoy goat cheese is to try it. There are so many different varieties available, and each one has its unique taste and original texture.
Try different kinds of goat cheese and see what you think.
Have fun experimenting!
