Can You Freeze Goat Cheese?

If you have ever thought if freezing goat cheese will work and how to do it properly, this article is what you’re looking for.

A culinary delight, and a dietary staple of Greece and Mediterranean countries, chèvre cheese or goat cheese, as it is commonly known, is a wonderful addition to your favorite recipes. Or, the ones you are yet to create. Although the discovery of goat cheese is European, where it has been a dietary staple for centuries, there are dairies in Vermont, Wisconsin and other states where goat farms have become more common that make fine products, worth trying.

Flavoring dishes such as ravioli, Greek salad, spanakopita, and pizza, goat cheese adds a sharp, tangy flavor to your meals. You certainly don’t want to waste any of this delectable delight when you have more than you can use, so keep in mind that it will only keep for two to three weeks in the refrigerator, a few weeks longer if left sealed.

You can freeze goat cheese, both the spreadable and log variety. It is a great way to keep it stored for a longer period, than if only refrigerated, where it will become hard and chalky with age. However, as with any food item that you freeze, you must wrap it properly, date it, thaw it properly and use it within the first few months of freezing, for peak flavor.

Can you Freeze Goat Cheese Tarts?

Any type of baked goods aren’t ideal for freezing but if you are avoiding waste then you can freeze the goat cheese tarts if left with no other choice. If you are making the goat cheese tarts in advance, then you’ll get better results as opposed to freezing store-bought goat cheese tarts. That’s because you can skip the baking part until you are ready to serve the goat cheese tarts.

To freeze the goat cheese tarts, whip up the tarts as you normally would. Then, instead of baking the tarts, pack the unbaked tarts in an airtight container. Make sure the container is sealed completely before freezing because the frost could alter the texture of the tarts once they have been baked. As soon as you are ready to serve, thaw the unbaked tarts overnight in the freezer. By the next day, pop the tarts in the oven and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until golden brown.

Can you freeze Goat cheese Crumbles?

Goat cheese can be defined as soft, semisoft, firm, or hard depending on the product’s moisture content. A cheese product’s moisture content affects its quality if the said product is frozen. Hard goat cheese, which is a little crumbly, will fare better when frozen as opposed to a softer variety of goat cheese. As such, goat cheese crumbles are ideal for freezing.

To freeze goat cheese crumbles, use a freezer-safe, airtight container or a vacuum-sealed plastic bag. You want to make sure the cheese is as dry as possible before packing it for freezing. Seal the container and then write the storage date before storing in the freezer.

Packaging Methods

Soft spreadable chèvre cheese comes in four and six-ounce plastic or glass containers. It is often flavored with oil olive and cheese for a delightful spread. It can be frozen but may be watery when thawed.

Log chèvre is riper and has a drier crumbly texture that works well for salads, appetizers and cooked dishes. After freezing, it can be a little more crumbly than fresh, but will still have the fine flavor if you don’t leave it in your freezer too long.

Freezing

Wrap It -by double wrapping with plastic wrap and then putting in a freezer bag when preserving log goat cheese. When freezing spreadable cheese, you can leave it in its original container, but as with the logs, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then put it into a freezer bag.
Alternate Packaging Method – You can cut log cheese into one or two-ounce cubes, wrap them tightly and place them in a freezer bag. When you are ready to use in a recipe, simply take out the number that you need. Because the pieces are small, they will thaw quickly in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
Date It – Goat cheese, spreadable or traditional log should be kept in the freezer no longer than three months. If you have a large amount of leftover cheese, break it up into smaller portions to use for various recipes.
Freeze It –However, no longer than two or three months.
Thaw It – When you are ready to use the cheese, remove it from the freezer and thaw in the refrigerator 24 to 48 hours. Cheese logs tend to have a soft exterior and crumbly center after thawing. They can best be used after freezing to crumble over salads or use other recipes when chèvre cheese is called for.
Serve It – Chèvre cheese spreads and logs should be brought to room temperature before serving, whether fresh or frozen for the best flavor. When cooking with goat cheese, heat just until melted as it can become grainy and will separate if overheated.

For Your Next Meal

Can you freeze goat cheese? Yes, and then you can decide what recipes you are going to add it to; the next time you thaw a few ounces. Freezing foods can save you a lot of money, especially when purchasing costly items like chèvre cheese. Storing it properly will give you several meals from your purchase of this delightful cheese and add variety to your menu.