If you’re anything like me, cheese is one of those grocery items that seems to disappear way too fast-or it gets forgotten in the back of the refrigerator until its life has come and gone.
That’s exactly why I almost always keep extra cheese in my freezer.
I freeze shredded cheese and use it straight from the freezer. I also keep my fresh parmesan cheese frozen because it grates beautifully right into my homemade Alfredo sauce without needing to thaw it.
Freezing cheese is one of the easiest ways to reduce food waste, stock your freezer, and always have cheese ready for pizza night, tacos, casseroles, soups, and quick family dinners.
Quick Answer: Can You Freeze Cheese?
Yes! Obviously, otherwise my title is wrong. But I wanted to go over why cheese is good to freeze.
Most cheeses freeze well, especially cheeses that will be melted after thawing.
While freezing can slightly change the texture of some cheeses, the flavor stays nearly identical, making freezing an excellent option for meal prep and reducing waste.
Why I Freeze Cheese
One of the biggest goals of my freezer system is making dinner easier. I like to consider it my working freezer. I have a working pantry, and now, my freezer works for me too.
Instead of making an extra trip to the grocery store because I need mozzarella cheese, I simply grab my bag from the freezer and use what I need.
Freezing cheese can help:
- Reduce food waste
- Buy cheese when it’s on sale
- Save money
- Always have ingredients on hand
- Make homemade freezer meals easier
- Keep emergency food stocked
It’s a small habit that can make a huge difference.
Best Cheeses for Freezing
Here’s a list of cheeses that I like best for freezing and to have in my working freezer.
Shredded Cheese
This is my favorite cheese to freeze.
I will buy large bags of shredded cheese (mozzarella from Costco) or I’ll buy the big blocks of cheese (also from Costco) and shred it myself. Then I’ll freeze it in portions. It’s amazing how helpful it is when I’m making dinner.
Great choices include:
- Cheddar
- Colby Jack
- Pepper Jack
- Monterey Jack
- Mexican blend
- Mozzarella
- Swiss
- Provolone
Frozen cheese melts perfectly! I usually don’t have to thaw it before adding it to my recipes. The only time I would thaw is if you’re adding to a completed meal, one that’s already done cooking. Even then, sometimes it would still melt without needing to thaw.
Block Cheese
Blocks of cheese freeze surprisingly well. If I’m not going to shred my blocks of cheese, I will just freeze them. When I’m ready to use the block of cheese, I will pull it out and have it thaw overnight in the fridge and use as I normally would.
Examples include:
- Cheddar
- Monterey Jack
- Pepper Jack
- Colby
- Mozzarella
- Gouda
For best results:
- Freeze in smaller portions.
- Wrap tightly.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before slicing if serving on a cheese tray.
If you’ll be shredding it later, you can even shred it while it’s still partially frozen.
Fresh Parmesan Cheese
This is something I almost always have in my freezer.
Fresh Parmesan freezes so well!
The best part?
I don’t thaw when I’m going to use it.
If I’m sprinkling it on my mini meatloaf, or another dish, before baking it a few minutes, I just sprinkle it on frozen. Or when I’m making my homemade Alfredo sauce, I’ll add the cheese in frozen.
It melts perfectly.
Also, it lasts longer in the freezer! I just take what I need from the freezer and leave the rest for the next time I need it.
Mozzarella
Mozzarella is another cheese I like to keep in my freezer. I use this cheese a lot, but cheese doesn’t last long in the fridge, so I love having it in my freezer.
I use it on:
- Pizza
- Lasagna
- Stromboli
- Pasta bakes
- Chicken Parmesan
Frozen mozzarella will melt nearly exactly as fresh.
Cream Cheese
You can freeze cream cheese, I do.
However, the texture can become grainy when it thaws.
You can try using it dips and cheesecakes if you’d like but my preference with frozen cream cheese is to use in baked recipes or in sauces.
Unfortunately, if you’re wanting to use cream cheese as a spread, I wouldn’t use cream cheese that had been frozen.
Can You Freeze Sliced Cheese?
Absolutely!
Sliced cheese freezes well, just as block cheese does.
Examples of sliced cheese to freeze:
- American
- Cheddar
- Swiss
- Provolone
- Pepper Jack
How to Freeze Sliced Cheese
If the slices already have parchment between them, leave them as they are and put them in the freezer.
If not, place a small square of parchment paper between each slice. Then place the stack of sliced cheese in a freezer bag. Remove as much air from the bag as possible. Label the bag with the date and contents of the bag. Freeze.
How to Use Frozen Sliced Cheese
Again, you don’t typically have to thaw the cheese first.
Frozen sliced cheese works for:
- Cheeseburgers
- Breakfast sandwiches
- Grilled cheese
- Breakfast burritos
- Hot sandwiches
- Paninis
The slices thaw in just a minute or two while your sandwich cooks.
Cheeses That Don’t Freeze Well
Unfortunately, there are some cheeses that don’t freeze well and instead turn crumbly or watery after freezing.
These include:
- Brie
- Camembert
- Ricotta
- Cottage Cheese
- Goat cheese
- Fresh mozzarella packed in water
- Feta (texture changes)
- Blue cheese (becomes crumbly)
They are completely safe to eat after freezing but usually work best in cooked recipes that served or used fresh.
How to Freeze Cheese
Method 1: Freeze Store-Bought Bags
This is the easiest method.
Simply place unopened bags directly into the freezer.
Done.
Method 2: Freeze Homemade Shredded Cheese
If you like to shred your own cheese:
- Shred the cheese.
- Place shredded cheese onto a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.
- Freeze.
- Once frozen, place cheese into freezer bags.
- Remove as much as air as possible.
- Label and store in the freezer.
Method 3: Freeze Cheese Blocks
I will leave it in the original packaging as long as it’s tightly wrapped. If you’re going to cut the block into smaller chunks, make sure to:
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
- Place inside a freezer bag.
- Label.
- Freeze.
Method 4: Freeze Parmesan
Leave the block whole.
Wrap it tightly.
Place in a freezer bag.
Freeze.
Grate directly from frozen whenever needed.
How Long Does Cheese Last in the Freezer?
For best quality:
- Shredded cheese: up to 9 months
- Block cheese: 6-9 months
- Sliced cheese: 6 months
- Parmesan: up to 12 months
It will be safe longer the times listed above, but the texture may start to change the longer it’s in the freezer.
How to Thaw Cheese
If you’re going to be using it in recipes by sprinkling on top of food to be melted, use frozen, there is no need to thaw it first.
For snack cheese or sliced cheese:
Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
If you thaw it on the counter, it can create some condensation which can affect the texture of the cheese.
Tips for Freezing Cheese
- Freeze before the expiration date.
- Remove as much air as possible.
- Label every bag.
- Freeze in meal-sized portion to make it easy.
- Keep your freezer at 0 degrees F or below.
- Use frozen cheese directly in cooked recipes whenever possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you freeze shredded cheese?
Yes! It’s actually one of the easiest cheeses to freeze. I use frozen shredded cheese straight from the freezer almost every day.
Can you freeze cheese slices?
Yes. Separate the slices with parchment paper if needed, then freeze in a freezer-safe bag.
Does frozen cheese melt normally?
Yes. Most cheeses melt beautifully after freezing.
Why does frozen cheese get crumbly?
Freezing causes tiny ice crystals to form inside the cheese, which changes the texture slightly after thawing. The flavor stays the same.
Can you grate frozen cheese?
Absolutely. In fact, frozen Parmesan grates perfectly when I make my homemade Alfredo sauce.
More Freezer System Posts You’ll Love
If you’re building a freezer that actually saves time and money, and works for you, these guides are great next reads.
- How to Freeze Bread.
- The Ultimate Freezer System for Busy Families
- How to Freeze Butter.
- Learn how to freeze milk.
- You can freeze eggs!
How to Freeze Cheese
Freezing cheese is one of the simplest ways to save money, reduce food waste, and make dinner easier.
Whether it’s shredded cheddar for taco night, sliced cheese for cheeseburgers, or frozen Parmesan for homemade Alfredo sauce, having cheese stocked in the freezer means one less thing to worry about when it’s time to cook.
It’s a small habit that fits perfectly into the Simply Heidi Freezer System-helping you build a freezer full of ingredients you’ll actually use. I call it, a working freezer.
