It’s not exactly bursting with flavour. It’s not gone through a long ageing process. It’s just cottage cheese. But it’s a great option for making sauces creamier, giving you a low-fat topping option for jacket potatoes and can even be used with pasta (not traditionally we know). But…
Can You Freeze Cottage Cheese?
Yes, you can freeze cottage cheese for up to 6 months. But you might not want to. Unfortunately, like a lot of dairy products, the texture of your cottage cheese will get impacted when it’s frozen.
Do Does Cottage Cheese freeze well? No
Can you refreeze Cottage Cheese? No
How to Freeze Cottage Cheese
Before you get to freezing your cottage cheese, you need to decide what portions to freeze them in. You’ll need to freeze it in portions so you can easily thaw the correct amount as and when you come to use it.
Look at recipes you have used in the past, perhaps, or guess by eye. But first, determine your cottage cheese portion sizes.
- Portion: Decided on the portion sizes? Well, get those portions into resealable freezer bags. These are best for keeping the air out and avoiding freezer burn.
- Seal: Once the cheese is in the bags, seal the bags up. As you seal them up, leave a small opening to squeeze as much air out as possible, then finally seal it up completely.
- Freeze: Place the bag in the freezer, and you’re good to go.
It really is that straightforward!
3 Tips for Freezing Cottage Cheese
Now you know how to freeze it, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing cottage cheese to have the best results:
Use in Cooked Dishes
You’ll notice a major change in the texture of cottage cheese after freezing. That is why it’s a good idea to only use it in a cooked dish.
Drain Excess Liquid
As the cottage cheese defrosts, you may find it ends up sitting in an excess pool of liquid. Make sure you drain this excess liquid away before using it.
Seal Tightly
If you’re not confident that the container you’re using is airtight, then wrap it in a layer of cling film or foil to add an extra layer of protection.
How Long Can You Freeze Cottage Cheese?
You won’t want to keep the cottage cheese in the freezer for much longer than 6 months. The longer you leave it in the freezer, the more broken down the texture will become.
As always, make sure you label your cottage cheese with the date it needs to be consumed.
Once opened, cottage cheese will last for between 5 and 7 days in the fridge. It should be kept in a covered bowl or airtight container.
How Do You Defrost Cottage Cheese?
Before using your cottage cheese, you’ll need to give it plenty of time to thaw out. You’re best to do this in the fridge overnight.
Remove the cottage cheese portion from the freezer and place it in a bowl. Leave it in the fridge overnight, then remove it from the bag when thawed. Make sure you drain off any excess liquid.
Can You Refreeze Cottage Cheese?
Cottage cheese is very fragile and is sensitive to temperature changes. Refreezing will only make these changes more drastic, so refreezing cottage cheese is not recommended. Freezing it once isn’t particularly recommended either!
Does Cottage Cheese Freeze Well?
Not particularly. Yes, it will freeze fine. Yes, it will retain any nutritional benefits. It won’t lose much flavour as it isn’t packed with flavour to start with.
But the main issue is the texture and the change in texture that will inevitably occur when cottage cheese is frozen.
That’s why, if you’re using your cottage cheese in a cooked dish, then freezing it is fine. The cottage cheese will melt away and thicken your dish as you normally would expect it to.
If you were planning on eating the cottage cheese directly in a dish, then stick to fresh.
Related FAQs
If you’ve still got questions about freezing cottage cheese or cottage cheese in general, then these may help:
Yes, you can eat frozen cottage cheese but only once you have defrosted it. You will also find that the texture is a little off once it has been frozen and thawed.
Once opened, cottage cheese will last for up to 7 days providing that you have covered it and kept it airtight.
