Can You Freeze Parmesan Cheese?
Parmesan cheese typically has a firm, gritty texture and is rich in nutrients. This Italian cheese contains protein, ready-to-use fats, and minerals that benefit bone health. Like, other cheeses, the basic ingredient of parmesan is cow’s milk, but it is aged for at least 12 months before being put on the market.
You must be buying parmesan in batches, but you do not intend to use all of them at one time. Keeping cheese normally, without using it much, will only bring it close to its expiry date. And you will have to throw it away. What can you do to preserve parmesan for longer? Can you freeze parmesan cheese?
Yes, you can freeze parmesan cheese. In fact, it is one of those cheeses that can be frozen very well. This is because the cheese contains a low moisture content and has a hard texture that is not affected upon freezing. Also, it does not produce lumps and is not particularly prone to freezer burns.
It is said that food items that contain dairy products do not freeze well because of their fat content. However, that is not what happens to parmesan. Freezing extends the shelf life of parmesan for a few extra months, and you can freeze both the blocks and grated forms of the cheese. Food experts say the best cheese for freezing is this one!
Does Parmesan Cheese Freeze Well?
It is said that cheese is something that does not freeze well because it is a dairy product. However, parmesan is hard and therefore one of the best freezing cheeses. This is also because they can survive the freezing procedure and the freezer temperatures better than the softer cheese type.
How To Freeze Parmesan Cheese?
Parmesan cheese generally contains less moisture and has a firm consistency. These two factors make the cheese freezer-friendly. So, the cheese will freeze well both in block form and shredded or grated.
Parmesan: Freezing Grated And Blocks Of The Cheese
Check out the steps here for freezing parmesan cheese effectively.
- If you have large blocks of parmesan, consider cutting them into smaller pieces for freezing. Or, if you intend to freeze grated parmesan, you can do so. Both have similar methods.
- Put your cheese into freezer-safe ziplock bags and seal them properly. Make sure to remove all the air from the inside of the bag before sealing.
- You can transfer the sealed bags of cheese into airtight containers. This will further protect the cheese from other odors in the freezer.
- Label and date the containers before freezing to know how long the parmesan has been in the freezer. And your parmesan is all set to freeze.
Also, if you are freezing blocks of parmesan, you can either wrap them with cling film or parchment paper and aluminum foil before placing them into airtight containers. Doing this will freeze the cheese effectively as well.
Additionally, please take special care while freezing cheese and follow the guidelines adequately. This is because a slight ignorance might ruin the parmesan from other food items in the freezer. Keep the cheese tightly sealed.
How Long Will The Parmesan Last In The Freezer?
As mentioned earlier, parmesan cheese freezes well. Freezing increases the shelf life of the cheese by up to 18 months. Yes, you can freeze parmesan for about 18 months in the freezer. And it is unlikely that the cheese will show flavor and texture alterations within this period.
However, if you are freezing grated or shredded parmesan cheese, it will not last as long as the cheese blocks. Grated or shredded parmesan will last for about a year in the freezer. So keep in mind the form of parmesan you are freezing and consume accordingly.
Does Freezing Affect The Cheese Type?
Freezing does not have much effect on parmesan cheese if particular freezing guidelines are adhered to. However, sometimes you might see slight texture alterations on parmesan blocks if they are frozen for a long time.
The blocks might become a little more crumbly when defrosted. But grated parmesan will not show such alterations after freezing. The texture change will not ruin the flavor of the cheese. You can still use the cheese whichever way you like.
It is not recommended to use frozen parmesan raw as the cheese might develop texture alterations. You can use them in other ways: sprinkle them over salads; melt the cheese for sandwiches, and burgers; or use the cheese with scrambled eggs, pizzas, and other recipes.
Can You Refreeze Parmesan?
Refreezing is technically possible, but you should not refreeze the parmesan. Because a second freezing would result in twice as much crystallization and texture loss due to the increased amount of freezing process.
Parmesan cheese when frozen for a second time after defrosting, does not react to the freezing process well. This will end up ruining your cheese. However, you can try freezing it in parts, so that you defrost only the required quantities of the cheese at a time.
How Can You Defrost Parmesan?
Defrosting cheese must be done slowly to retain its flavor and texture at its best. Therefore, to prepare the cheese ahead of time, remove your parmesan from the freezer at least 24 hours before using it.
The process of defrosting is quite simple, though. All you have to do is remove the airtight containers of cheese from the freezer and let it defrost in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours, or until it has turned soft. Once, the cheese seems completely defrosted, it is ready to use.
Also, it is not always necessary to defrost grated parmesan and use it. Because the grated cheese does not develop water crystals like the blocks, you can use it directly from the freezer in your favorite recipe. Once cooked, it will taste the same as fresh parmesan cheese.
How Can You Use Defrosted Parmesan Cheese?
You can use defrosted parmesan cheese in all your favorite recipes. Remember, before you use the grated form of frozen cheese, shake the container lightly so that if there are any clumps they will be separated. You can use the parmesan blocks normally.
You can use grated parmesan directly from the freezer because it is going to be cooked anyway. Check out the following recipe recommendations for using defrosted parmesan.
- Pastas, soups, and stews.
- Garlic bread, pizzas, and sandwiches.
- Vegetable tarts and one-pot lasagna soups.
- Potato wedges and mushroom ragu.
Summing it up, whether it is parmesan blocks or grated parmesan, freezing is quite simple. It is also convenient to defrost the cheese and use it whichever way you like. However, freezing parmesan blocks is the best way out. It not only lasts longer in the freezer than grated parmesan, but you can always grate it later at any time.