How To Freeze and Defrost Feta Cheese
Although most cheeses offer distinctive flavors and aromas, there’s nothing quite like a slice of feta cheese. The exotic, creamy taste is heavenly, and that is why you’ll find feta cheese enhancing a number of classic entrees around the globe.
Feta cheese can be made from sheep or goat’s milk and is full of nutrient-rich calcium. It’s a brined curd white cheese that is sold as imported or domestic.
Can You Freeze Feta Cheese?
Yes, you can freeze feta cheese; food experts say that feta freezes well. Like any cheese that is placed in the freezer, it might lose a bit of its flavour but probably wouldn’t be noticeable to many.
To properly freeze feta cheese, remove it from the briny water it was packaged in, and dry it off with a paper towel. Since feta usually comes in block form, you have the option of slicing off pieces into smaller blocks, should you decide to save portions for another time.
Wrap the block, and then, double wrap it in plastic wrap. This will avoid freezer burn and also keep the strong feta aroma from being absorbed with other foods in your freezer.
Place the cheese in a freezer bag and seal it. Include a label with the date.
How Long Can You Keep Feta Cheese In The Fridge?
People get nervous about the shelf life of dairy products and how quickly these items can turn sour. Feta, like all cheeses, can go bad, but if stored correctly, you can keep feta cheese in the fridge for several days.
If you purchased feta cheese in a briny solution packaged in a plastic tub, and it remains unopened, most chefs say that the feta will have a shelf life of about a week past the printed date. Once you open the package, a block of feta will only last in the refrigerator around five days.
Some people believe that feta stored in its brine will last longer than a block of feta removed from its salty water.
How Long Can You Store Frozen Feta Cheese?
Chefs who work a lot with feta, suggest that feta cheese can be frozen for three months to retain its delicious and textured quality. These experts also find that if you will be freezing your feta cheese for longer than 2 months, then place the package inside a heavy-duty freezer bag in order to prevent freezer burn.
Can You Freeze Cooked Feta Cheese?
Yes, you can freeze cooked feta cheese and all the wonderful dishes you make using this versatile and tangy Greek cheese. For example, if you made a classic spinach pie known as spanokopita, you would know that the exquisite dish is made with plenty of spinach, butter, eggs, phyllo dough and feta cheese.
Any cuisine made with feta cheese is simple to freeze. Most Greek cooks advise wrapping cooked feta cheese foods in a double wrap of plastic wrap, and then in a layer of aluminum foil. Get a freezer bag, and place these items inside and squeeze out as much air as you can before sealing. Then, label the packaging with the name of the food and the date.
Can You Freeze Feta Cheese Dip?
Yes, you can freeze feta cheese dip without going to a lot of trouble. Just scoop out your feta cheese dip and pour it into a Tupperware type of container. Before putting on the lid, place a layer of plastic wrap across the top and adhere with tape. Then, seal it in with the Tupperware cover.
As long as you don’t have any air pockets exposed, your feta cheese dip should be nicely frozen.
How To Defrost Feta Cheese
Feta cheese is very simple to thaw out, and you don’t have to do much. Food experts advise leaving the package tightly wrapped in plastic or in the plastic bag it was frozen in. This will allow the feta to retain moisture as it defrosts.
Place it in the refrigerator. Thaw it overnight or for 24 hours. A solid block of feta will take a bit longer than crumbled to defrost.
How To Tell If Crumbled Feta Cheese Is Bad
Your nose can be a trusty guide when it comes to recognizing your crumbled feta cheese has gone bad. As a rule of thumb, chefs suggest that any mold you see on soft cheese like feta, means that it’s gone bad and should be tossed out. The way soft cheese is formed, allows mold to penetrate deeper into the cheese and spoil the entire block.
Taste is another way to sample whether your feta cheese has headed south. It will no longer taste tangy good, and the texture will be gritty.
