Feta cheese crumbles are a great way to add flavor and texture to dishes, but what do you do if you have some left over? Can you freeze crumbled feta cheese? How do you do it? And how long can it stay in the freezer?
In this article, we’ll answer all your questions about freezing feta cheese crumbles. We’ll tell you how to properly store and freeze them, so they’ll stay fresh and delicious, and we’ll also tell you what not to do. So read on to find out everything you need to know about
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Can you freeze crumbled feta cheese?
It may come as a surprise to some, but you can freeze feta cheese in a variety of ways. Blocks, crumbles and cubes can all be frozen depending on your needs. No matter the form you choose, the feta cheese will stay at its optimal quality for at least three months.
A good rule of thumb for freezing any type of cheese is to store it in a sealed and airtight container or bag. This will help keep bacteria and other germs from contaminating your food. Additionally, it’s important to make sure that the food is properly cooled and cold before freezing so that bacteria and molds do not begin growing while it is in storage.
If you’re looking specifically to freeze crumbled feta cheese, keep in mind that this form of cheese thaws more quickly than blocks or cubes. To maximize its lifespan, wrap the crumbled feta up tightly in an airtight container or bag. The amount of time you’ll be able to store it depends on the temperature of your freezer, but regularly check the package it is stored in over the course of several months.
The thawing process should also be handled with care. If possible, thaw the feta cheese in your refrigerator instead of a countertop or outside area. Once again, storing it in an airtight container will help limit bacteria growth during and after defrosting. The more exposure your feta has to air during this process, the faster its degradation.
One final tip when freezing your feta: include some sort of wrapping around the container or packaging that includes information like when you froze it and how long to plan on keeping it.
Steps for freezing crumbled Feta Cheese:
- Make sure to cool down the cheese before freezing.
- Store it in an airtight container or bag.
- Label date and length for storage.
- Thaw your feta in the refrigerator rather than on a countertop.
Chilling Crumbles: How To Freeze Feta
Do you find yourself with feta crumbles leftover? Did you purchase a larger container of feta than you needed for your recipe? Don’t worry! You can preserve the feta by freezing it and storing it for future use. Follow these simple steps to freeze feta crumbles.
Pre-freezing
The first step is to spread out your crumbles in a single layer on a cookie sheet that is lined with either a silicone mat or aluminum foil. This allows for an even distribution of your crumbles and prevents them from sticking together.
Transferring
Once the crumbles are frozen solid (approximately 2 hours in a normal sized freezer) you can begin transferring them into an appropriate freezer bag or container. To do this, take a spatula and begin breaking apart any clumps of frozen crumbles. Once all the crumbles are separated and inside the bag or container, seal it up tightly.
Storage & Use
Your frozen feta crumbles can be stored safely in the freezer for future use. When you’re ready to use them, take them out of the freezer and allow them to thaw before adding them to your recipe. Here are some suggestions on how to use your feta crumbles:
- In salads – add thawed feta crumbles as a topping over leafy greens, diced tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, olives, etc.
- In pastas – combine thawed feta with cooked pasta like linguine or penne and mix in some other ingredients like garlic, olive oil and oregano.
- In flatbreads – spread some pizza sauce over warm flatbread and then sprinkle thawed feta over the top.
- In sandwiches – place thawed feta between two slices of warm bread along with other fresh vegetables.
By following these steps, you can easily freeze your leftover feta crumbles and enjoy the benefits of having this wonderful ingredient on hand whenever you need it!
The Great Feta Freeze-Out: How Long Can You Store It?
Feta cheese is a delicious and versatile cheese that can be used in salads, sandwiches or eaten on its own. However if you don’t finish off the entire block of it, how long does it stay fresh when stored in the fridge? Here’s what you need to know about keeping feta for maximum freshness.
Unopened Blocks
If the block of feta is unopened and stored in its original packaging, it should stay good up to one month. To further extend its shelf-life, you can store it in the freezer.
Opened Blocks
If you have opened a block of feta, it will still last up to 5-7 days in the refrigerator. To make this time last even longer, store the opened feta blocks in their brine or add them to a brine. This should preserve them and keep them good for up to 1 month.
Crumbs
Leftover crumbled feta can also be preserved for a short period of time. You can store them in olive oil for approximately 2 weeks before they start spoiling.
Tips for freshness
- Always close tightly any container with leftover feta cheese.
- Store Feta blocks or crumbles in an airtight container or jar.
- Store Feta blocks either in the brine or olive oil for maximum freshness.
Melting Moments with Feta Crumbles
When it comes to cheese, there’s no denying that melting its gooey goodness over your favorite dishes can be incredibly delicious. Unfortunately, feta cheese is not one of those types of cheese that will melt – at least not in the way we typically expect!
Feta cheese is a crumbly variety that can be made from either sheep’s milk or from a combination of sheep and goat’s milk. While it may not melt like cheddar or mozzarella, when heated, the feta cheese does become soft and creamy.
The texture of the feta cheese becomes more spreadable when heated, and can even be used in place of cream cheese or ricotta.
By itself, feta cheese can easily be used in hot dishes such as quiches and tarts. In addition to this, when crumbled on top of a hot pizza or dish right before serving, the goodness of the melted feta provides a creamy tangy flavor.
If you’re looking for other recipes using feta cheese, here are some suggestions:
- Baked Vegetable Fritters: Featuring hearty potatoes and crunchy bell peppers combined with creamy feta.
- Greek Salad: This classic salad with cucumber, tomatoes and olives is brought together with a zesty dressing and generous topping of crumbled feta.
- Veggie Lasagna: A meal that’s great for both vegetarians and meat-lovers alike! Layers of melty Mozzarella are topped with nutty Parmesan, sharp Cheddar and crumbled Feta.
- Feta & Avocado Toast: Enjoy indulging in the creamy taste served up on crunchy toast.
As you can see, there are plenty of scrumptious ways to enjoy melted feta – so don’t let its lack of melting qualities turn you away from trying some out!
Cold Snap! What Happens to Feta in the Freezer?
Feta cheese can go bad like any other cheese, but there is a way to give it a bit more life – freezing! When adequately frozen, feta will remain good for about six months. The benefits of being able to freeze feta is being able to extend its life.
The downside of freezing feta is that there may be an impact on its texture and taste. After thawing, the texture and flavor of your feta may be affected. When you freeze feta, it will mostly retain its original texture and flavor, however it cannot be guaranteed.
How to Freeze Feta
So how do you go about freezing feta? Here are some simple steps to take:
- Freeze in an airtight container.
- Before freezing, cover the cheese with a layer of brine or wax paper.
- To store longer than six months, wrap it tightly in double plastic wrappers.
- If using for a salad or sandwich, freeze individual portions (bulk buying can really help here!).
The most important step when freezing feta is to ensure that it is properly sealed as any moisture that gets in during the freezing process could impact the taste.
Thawing Frozen Feta
Now that you know how to freeze feta cheese, what should you do when it’s time to thaw it out? Here are some steps to help you navigate.
- When defrosting feta cheese, always use the refrigerator.
- Do not thaw at room temperature as this could again affect the texture and taste.
- Leave the cheese wrapped until ready to serve or use.
As soon as possible after thawing, cook or serve the cheese that has been frozen. Do not refreeze already-frozen cheeses – this could lead to contamination and food poisoning!
The Shelf Life of Feta Cheese Crumbles – The Unopened Package
The answer to this question is determined by proper storage. To maximize shelf life and ensure that feta cheese crumbles remain fresh for as long as possible, it is important not to open the package until ready to use.
To know approximately how long an unopened package of feta cheese crumbles will last, look for the “Sell By” or “Best By” date on the package. With proper storage, the crumbles should stay fresh for about one week after this date.
Below are some tips for keeping your feta crumbles fresh:
- If you purchase a large pack of feta cheese crumbles, separate it into smaller bags or containers to help keep it fresh longer.
- Store unopened packages of feta crumbles in a cool, dry place such as in the refrigerator or a cupboard away from heat sources.
- Keep the package tightly sealed once opened, and use within 2-3 days.
Feta cheese should always look and smell fresh when opened; if it appears discolored or has an unpleasant odor, discard it immediately. It is also important to check expiration dates regularly and discard any packages after their “Sell By” or “Best By” date has passed.
By following these guidelines for proper storage, you can make sure your feta cheese crumbles remain safe to eat and have the longest shelf life possible. Enjoy!
