Can You Freeze Cottage Cheese?

Cottage cheese is a healthy and delicious food that has many uses. If you want to grab a filling and protein-dense snack, it fits the bill. You can add fruit to it or eat it plain. It’s also great to add to specific recipes.

A lot of people wonder, “Can I freeze cottage cheese?” and the short answer is:

Yes, you can freeze it.

If you frequently buy cottage cheese or want to keep it on hand for times when you want to use it for a recipe, freezing is a great way to help it last longer. 

There are, however, some things you should know about how to accomplish this safely and what to do to thaw it. Additionally, you’ll want to know what to expect once frozen and how it will affect the taste and texture. 

Keep reading to learn more about cottage cheese and what you need to do to start freezing it and using it later.

What Will Happen to Cottage Cheese When You Freeze It?

Like most cheeses, you can freeze cottage cheese to improve its longevity. However, since freezing changes the composition of many food items, you’ll need to expect a texture change. So, what do you expect when you freeze it and then eat it? Is it ok to freeze cottage cheese?

When you freeze cottage cheese, the texture becomes chunkier. That’s because cottage cheese loses some of its moisture during the freezing process. This happens with many foods, so be aware before you decide to put it on ice. It’s probably best to use it for recipes to tell the consistency and texture differences. 

Additionally, the flavor also changes once the cottage cheese freezes. It actually loses some of its flavors, so it seems very bland. If you use cottage cheese for a recipe that depends on it being flavorful, you might skip the freezing part and go straight for fresh cottage cheese.

Here are some pros and cons to consider before you decide to freeze cottage cheese. 

It’s best to try freezing cottage cheese and then use it for a recipe to determine if freezing is a good option for you. 

How to Freeze Cottage Cheese

Here’s what to do when you want to freeze your cheese.

The first thing you should know is that you’ll want to buy the full-fat version, so it freezes better. If you use the low-fat version, you should expect it to have more consistency issues. 

Freezer Bag & Freezer-Safe Container

One tip for freezing cottage cheese is to make sure you put it in a freezer bag first. Then, you can put the bag into a freezer-safe container. 

Vacuum Sealing

Another option is to vacuum seal the cottage cheese. If you go this route, you can help preserve the texture and the flavor better than using a freezer bag. Keep in mind, though, that the same 3-6 month lifespan goes for this method too. 

Double Bagging

Finally, if you want to use freezer bags only, be sure to double bag it so if there’s a leak, it won’t make a mess. You’ll also have a better chance of preventing freezer burn and preserving the texture better. 

Does cottage cheese freeze well? It does, but you can experiment with each method to determine which is the best option for your needs. 

How Long Will Cottage Cheese Last in the Freezer?

Generally, cottage cheese lasts three to six months, depending on how you freeze it. If you want to vacuum seal it, it will likely last up to six months, provided there aren’t any leaks. If you use the plastic bag inside a freezer container, it can depend. Make sure to check it for irregularities and freezer burn sections. 

The double freezer bag method will usually give you three months, perhaps longer. Just check for odd smells or discoloration and ice crystals, which can indicate that it’s spoiled or freezer burned. 

How to Thaw Cottage Cheese

Perhaps the best method for thawing cottage cheese is to take it out of the freezer and put it in the refrigerator. This ensures it thaws slowly and retains most of its moisture. 

You can also take it out of the freezer and leave it out on the counter until it thaws. Just keep in mind that you don’t want to leave it out for too long. Put it in the refrigerator if there’s any time-lapse using it.

Don’t refreeze your cottage cheese, and be sure to use it right away. Here are some pros and cons about these methods of thawing cottage cheese. 

Freezer to Fridge

If you put frozen cottage cheese in the fridge to thaw, it won’t spoil as quickly as it would at room-temperature and will have a longer shelf life. However, this method can take a long time.

Freezer to Counter

The good thing about this method is that the cottage cheese will thaw faster than it would in the fridge, but it can also go bad faster. This means you will need to use it up right away.

Try both methods to see which is the right one for your needs. If you plan to use it all, you can use the counter-to fridge method. Just be sure to use the cottage cheese immediately and don’t refreeze it. 

Cottage Cheese Ideas

You can do many different things with cottage cheese, which makes it a good idea to consider freezing it. One thing you can do is freeze it to use in a lasagna. This adds more texture to the dish and helps give it substance. Because you use tomato sauce and other ingredients, the texture from freezing won’t matter as much.

If you want to use cottage cheese for desserts such as cheesecake, you can freeze it and mix it thoroughly for texture, and it gives good consistency. There’s also the option to use it frozen and blend it to salads, especially those with a dressing. 

Frequently asked questions

Here’s a quick review of the most commonly asked questions about freezing cottage cheese.

Conclusion – Is Freezing Cottage Cheese a Good Option?

If you plan to save money on your recipes that call for cottage cheese, then you might consider freezing it. Just be aware that the flavor and the texture change. Depending on the methods you use to freeze the cottage cheese, the difference might be substantial.

Try to freeze it for yourself and experiment to see if it’s a good idea and whether you think it’s worth the effort.