Can you freeze goat cheese? Yes, you can! Freezing goat cheese is an excellent way to preserve this creamy and delicious dairy product. This article covers how to properly freeze goat cheese, delicious ways to use it, and some additional tips and tricks.
Goat cheese, or chèvre, is any cheese made from the milk of a goat.
In the United States, the term goat cheese usually refers to the young, soft variety, which is sold as logs, crumbles, or as a spread at the grocery store.
Known for its earthy, tangy, almost citrusy flavor, fresh goat cheese has become quite popular. You’ll often find this cheese topping beautiful salads, stirred into creamy pasta dishes, or melted on top of an artisanal flatbread pizza.
So, if you’ve found yourself with some leftover goat cheese, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how to freeze it so you can enjoy it another day.
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Why Freeze Goat Cheese?
Let’s face it, as much as we all love goat cheese, it can be pretty darn expensive.
During my most recent trip to the grocery store, a 4-ounce log of plain goat cheese cost $5.99. Yikes! It would be a shame to let any of that go to waste.
Additionally, you can save money by stocking up on goat cheese when it goes on sale. Just buy a couple of extra logs and toss them in your freezer for later use.
What You'll Need
Here is a list of supplies you'll need to freeze goat cheese properly.
- Sharp Knife
- Cutting Board
- Plastic Wrap or Beeswax Wrap
- Freezer-Safe Resealable Plastic Bag
- Sharpie
How To Freeze Goat Cheese
When it comes to freezing goat cheese, the most important factor to consider is oxygen. That's right, the same oxygen we use to breathe can degrade the flavor of goat cheese over time, even in the freezer.
Step 1: Portion
Before you freeze your goat cheese, think about how you typically use it and portion it accordingly.
I like to freeze my goat cheese in 2-ounce and 4-ounce portions so that I only have to thaw what I need depending on the recipe I'm making.
Step 2: Wrap
Using plastic wrap, tightly wrap each individual portion of goat cheese. Remember, the goal is as little air as possible so, wrap tightly!
Step 3: Store in Freezer-Safe Bag
Next, place your individually wrapped portions of goat cheese in a freezer-safe, sealable plastic bag. Again, be sure to remove as much air from the bag as possible here.
Step 4: Date & Freeze
Finally, write the date on the outside of the freezer bag so you'll know how long the cheese has been in the freezer. Store goat cheese for up to 6 months.
And you're done! You now have perfectly portioned goat cheese you can use any time you're feeling fancy.
How Long Does Goat Cheese Last in the Freezer?
According to the USDA, cheeses can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months. This is great news if you happened to stumble across an amazing goat cheese sale and want to stock up.
However, keep in mind that the longer the goat cheese is stored, the more likely it is to lose its flavor. So, if you want the best-tasting cheese possible, I would recommend only storing it for 3 months.
How to Thaw Goat Cheese
Okay, so now that you have all of this delicious frozen goat cheese, you may be wondering how to go about thawing it.
I highly recommend doing your best to plan ahead and thaw your goat cheese in the refrigerator. Not only is it the safest way to do so, but it also helps the goat cheese maintain its texture the best. Simply place your goat cheese into the refrigerator and allow it to thaw.
In a pinch, you may be able to use the microwave on a lower power setting in short increments. However, I personally have never tried this so I can’t comment on how well this turns out.
Lastly, if you’re turning the goat cheese into a creamy pasta sauce, you can melt it in a pot with a little water or broth on the stovetop.
Storage
- Room Temperature- If serving goat cheese at a party, it should only be kept at room temperature for a maximum of 2 hours.
- Refrigerator- Keep opened goat cheese wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezer- Double-wrapped goat cheese will stay good for about 6 months in the freezer.
How Can You Tell if Goat Cheese Has Gone Bad?
Like most dairy products, goat cheese can turn bad quickly. Here are a few ways to know if your goat cheese is bad.
- Visible mold or discoloration
- Slimy feeling
- Sour, moldy, or “off” odor
Can You Cut Mold Off of Goat Cheese?
Since goat cheese is a type of soft cheese, I wouldn’t recommend eating goat cheese that has mold on it. Even if you remove the obviously offending mold, invisible mold spores could still be present throughout the cheese.
Goat Cheese Recipes
- Vegetarian Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms by Everyday Homemade
- Fresh Fall Salad with Apples and Pecans by Wonky Wonderful
- Pecan-Crusted Goat Cheese by A Grill for All Seasons
- Spring Vegetable Flatbread Pizza by Mom’s Kitchen Handbook
- Tomato Goat Cheese Pasta by Salt and Lavender
- Goat Cheese Pasta Primavera by Dietitian Jess
- Whipped Goat Cheese Crostini with Roasted Grapes by The Healthful Ideas
- Roasted Fig Goat Cheese Crumble Ice Cream by Beyond Sweet and Savory
Frequently Asked Questions
When you’re visiting the grocery store or your local cheese shop, you’ll most likely find goat cheese in three forms: logs, crumbles, and spreadable. Solid goat cheese logs are typically sold in 4 or 8-ounce packages. On the other hand, both goat cheese crumbles and spreadable goat cheese are sold in tubs. Goat cheese comes in a variety of flavors.
Yes, flavored goat cheese can be frozen using the same process outlined above. I recommend writing the type of goat cheese on the freezer bag so you don't forget.
Absolutely! I recommend leaving goat cheese spread in its original container and pressing the plastic wrap down directly onto the cheese, pushing as much air out as you can. Then, place the lid back onto the tub and write the date on it to ensure you know when it will expire.
You certainly can. The process is the same as the process of freezing spreadable goat cheese mentioned above.
As a dietitian, goat cheese is one of my favorite cheeses to recommend. It has several health benefits, especially for those who are sensitive to cheese made from cow’s milk, since it is naturally lower in lactose and casein. Goat cheese is also high in protein and healthy fats, meaning you’ll feel more satisfied after eating a meal containing goat cheese.
Conclusion
As you can see, freezing goat cheese is super simple. Plus, it’s an easy way to save a little money and help reduce food waste. Whether you stocked up at a sale or just have a little leftover, I hope this guide helped you save that delicious goat cheese.
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