How to Freeze Cheese
Are you wondering if you can freeze cheese? The answer is yes — and it’s incredibly easy. Whether you’re working with blocks, shredded cheese, or slices, I’ll show you how to freeze cheese so you can save both time and money.
I get asked this question all the time so here’s a quick how-to guide that shows exactly how I freeze cheese for my family.
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Why You Might Want to Freeze Cheese
I like to stock up on cheese whenever it goes on sale. Cheese already has a long shelf life — often 3 to 6 months in the fridge — so you don’t have to freeze it right away. If you’ll use it within that time, go ahead and store it in the back of your fridge. That is typically what I do with most of my cheese.
But if you want to save even more or bought extra on sale? That’s when I freeze it.
My stock up price on cheese is $1.50 for 8 ounces. I do live in the Midwest where we are blessed with low dairy prices, but I regularly see cheese go on sale this low – often when I purchase a 32 ounce block of cheese for $5.99.
Can You Freeze a Whole Block of Cheese?
You can freeze a whole block, but the texture changes slightly. Once thawed, a block of cheese tends to crumble when slicing or grating. That’s why I recommend shredding your cheese before freezing.
I shred my cheese first, then portion it into 2-cup freezer bags. This is the amount most recipes call for, so it’s easy to grab and use straight from the freezer.
Here’s a tip: A 16 oz (1-pound) block of cheese is supposed to yield 4 cups shredded — but when you grate it yourself, you often get more volume and no artificial additives. Shredding your own is a great way to stretch your grocery budget.
How to Freeze Cheese the Easy Way
Here’s how I freeze shredded cheese step-by-step:
- Shred your cheese. I still use a basic box cheese shredder just like this one.
- Scoop it into 2-cup portions in quart-size freezer bags.
- Flatten the bags slightly for easier storage.
- Place the smaller bags inside a large gallon freezer bag to double-bag and prevent freezer burn.
That’s it! It’s ready for pizza night, casseroles, or whatever recipe comes next.
How to Freeze Large Blocks of Cheese
If you’re freezing a big 2 lb (32 oz) block of cheese, you can slice it into smaller chunks — about 8 oz each — wrap them in foil, and then place them in a freezer bag. Again, just remember the texture won’t be quite the same when thawed. This works, but I still prefer to shred it first. You can try both ways to see how you prefer freezing your cheese.
How to Freeze Cheese Slices
If you’re freezing cheese slices, flash freezing is the way to go. Here’s how:
- Lay your slices out on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
- Freeze for 30–60 minutes until firm.
- Transfer to a freezer bag for long-term storage.
Flash freezing keeps the slices from sticking together. If your store-bought slices already come with wax paper between them, you can freeze them as-is.
Can You Freeze Cheese Sticks?
Yes, absolutely! If you buy prepackaged string cheese or cheese sticks, just pop them straight into the freezer. No prep required, and they thaw beautifully.
What Cheeses Freeze Best?
Hard cheeses freeze best. This includes:
- Cheddar
- Mozzarella
- Monterey Jack
- Colby
Soft cheeses like brie or cream cheese don’t freeze as well. The texture changes after thawing — cream cheese becomes grainy — but it still works fine for baking. I have frozen cream cheese before and used it in cheesecakes or casseroles with no problems.
How to Thaw Frozen Cheese
If you’re planning ahead, take your cheese out of the freezer and move it to the fridge the night before you need it.
But if you’re cooking with shredded cheese? No need to thaw! You can use frozen cheese directly in baked dishes, and I do it all the time.
How Long Does Cheese Last?
In the Fridge, cheese typically lasts 3 to 6 months.
In the Freezer, shredded or block cheese lasts 6 to 12 months when frozen properly.
We go through a lot of cheese in our family, so I’ve never had any go bad in the freezer — especially when I double-bag it.
Freezing cheese really is that easy. If you spot a great sale, stock up and freeze it to stretch your grocery dollars even further.
