Feta is a Greek cheese that has a delicious salty flavor. It’s often enjoyed in salads and as a topping on pizza. If you’re a fan of feta, you may wonder if it’s possible to extend its shelf life by freezing it.

In today’s article, we’re sharing some tips on how to freeze feta cheese.

Table of Contents

What is Feta Cheese?

Originally from Greece, feta is a soft brined white cheese that’s made from the milk of sheep or goats. It has a texture that’s crumbly and slightly grainy. Feta can be purchased in large blocks with the brine, or crumbled without brine in smaller packages.

What Does Feta Cheese Taste Like?

Feta has a tangy and salty flavor that pairs well with fruit, vegetables, and meat. If you enjoy Greek salads, you’ve probably eaten feta.

Can You Freeze Feta Cheese?

Yes, when properly prepared, feta cheese can be stored in the freezer for about 3 months.

What Happens After Freezing Feta Cheese?

Flavor Change

After thawing feta that has been frozen, you may notice a loss in flavor. It won’t be as salty and the taste won’t be as strong.

Texture Change

Similar to other types of cheese, the texture of thawed feta will be more crumbly than it was when fresh.

How to Freeze Feta Cheese

Freezing Crumbled Feta Cheese

Spread the feta in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with foil or a silicone mat. Ensure that there’s a lot of space around the crumbles so they don’t clump together. Place the cookie sheet in the freezer until the feta is completely frozen.
Transfer the frozen feta into resealable freezer bags or freezer safe containers. If using freezer bags, remove as much air as possible before sealing. Break apart any crumbles that have formed into larger clumps.
Label the container and place it in the freezer.

Freezing Feta Blocks

Strain the brine from the container. Lightly pat the block of feta with paper towels.
Cut the feta into desired pieces. Choose sizes suited to how you’ll use the feta when it’s thawed.
Line a cookie sheet with foil or a silicone mat and add the feta. Ensure that the pieces are in a single layer and are not touching. Place the cookie sheet into the freezer until the feta is completely frozen. This will take approximately 2 hours depending on the size of the pieces. If you are freezing an entire block of feta, it can be drained, patted with paper towels, and placed directly into the freezer in a resealable bag or freezer-safe container.
Transfer the frozen pieces of feta into a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag. If using freezer bags, remove as much air as possible before sealing.
Label the container and place it in the freezer.

Tips and Tricks for Freezing Feta Cheese

Remove as much air as possible from freezer bags before sealing or use a vacuum sealer.
Use a cookie sheet to pre-freeze the feta before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or freezer bags and placing it into the freezer.

How Long Does Feta Last in the Freezer?

When properly stored, feta cheese can remain in the freezer for approximately 3 months with minimal changes to its quality. The quality of feta will deteriorate the longer it’s stored in the freezer.

How to Defrost Feta Cheese

The best way to thaw feta is in the fridge. Never thaw feta at room temperature because it can be exposed to harmful bacteria.

Here are some options to thaw feta:

Thaw it in the fridge. Put the container or bag of frozen feta in the refrigerator. Depending on the size, it will take anywhere from 3-12 hours to thaw.
Place the container or bag into a bowl of cold water. This is a faster method that will take 1-2 hours to defrost, depending on the size. Be sure to use cold water and replace it with fresh cold water as needed.
Use the feta frozen. If the pieces of feta are relatively small and you plan to melt it in a sauce, stew, or soup, you can add the feta when it’s still frozen. It will defrost as the dish cooks.

Once defrosted, feta should be used within 1-2 days.

How to Tell If Feta Cheese Has Gone Bad

Whether fresh or frozen, there’s always a chance that feta has gone bad. If it has a sour odor, it’s best to toss it. Because feta is a soft cheese, it can easily develop mold. If you notice any spots of mold on the cheese, it’s best to discard the entire piece of cheese.

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Freezing Feta Cheese Step-by-Step Instructions

Feta is a Greek cheese that has a delicious salty flavor. It’s often enjoyed in salads and as a topping on pizza. Here you’ll learn how to freeze it properly.

Ingredients

feta cheese
freezer-friendly bags

Instructions

Spread the feta in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with foil or a silicone mat.
Place the cookie sheet in the freezer until the feta is completely frozen.
Transfer the frozen feta into resealable freezer bags.
Remove as much air as possible before sealing. Break apart any crumbles that have formed into larger clumps.
Label the container and place it in the freezer.