Can You Freeze Feta Cheese?

Feta cheese is a briny, savory favorite, enjoyed in dishes such as a classic Greek salad or a delicious cheesy dip. It's become increasingly popular in recent years, as a baked feta pasta became one of  TikTok's biggest food trends. But it's so much more than a passing fad, as delicious recipes like spreads and salads are destined to be family dinner mainstays.

As feta is an aged cheese that is brined, it actually has some pretty respectable staying power and can stay tasting fresh and delicious for quite some time – if we know how to store it correctly. "It can sour more quickly than other aged cheeses in the refrigerator, so it is a good idea to store it to extend its life, and yes, it can be frozen," says Richard LaMarita, chef-instructor of Plant-Based Culinary Arts at the Institute of Culinary Education’s New York City campus.

What To Know About Freezing Feta

Feta can freeze pretty well, but with some considerations.

• Freezing it will change its texture and flavor. "If you are looking for that unique characteristic and combination of saltiness, moisture, and freshness, it is best to go with the fresh and unfrozen," said LaMarita. 
• When frozen it becomes drier and crumblier, which can be just fine for cooked dishes with feta like casseroles or stews where texture doesn't really matter as much. But if you aren't using it in that way, there's some important caveats to keep in mind.
  

Can You Freeze Feta?

Yes, you can freeze feta, but you'll have to take a few important steps. 

• Vacuum sealing: "I recommend pouring off the brine and vacuum sealing the cheese, as the acidity level of the feta will change if frozen and defrosted within its original brine," says Jessica Sennett. "If you don't want curd structure to denature, this is a better option for freezing," adds Sennett. 
• Separate into portions: If you have a large amount of feta, Sennett recommends freezing it in portions you will use for one to three meals so you don't end up thawing too much all at once.

How To Store Raw Feta

Consider Original Packaging

As most feta comes in a brine, that salt and water solution is helpful in maintaining feta's freshness and that delicious savory, salty flavor while it maintains the acidity and structure of the curd for weeks to months. "Feta is aged in brine, so if the original packaging has the feta submerged in brine, this is the way the cheesemaker intended it to be stored," says Sennett. If you purchase feta wrapped in plastic, it's probably not worth it to make your own brine solution for it after the fact, as the ratio of salt to water can be off and thus denature the curd.  

Vacuum Seal

The best bet is to seal in that freshness. "I'd recommend vacuum-sealing it to keep this type of feta preserved at its current age, or a natural/non-plastic way to extend the shelf-life of feta is to submerge it in olive oil in a jar or container," says Sennett. 

This adds decadence to the cheese while also prolonging shelf-life: A win-win!  

How To Store Cooked Feta

While feta will often be stored in a fresh form, as it's used in many recipes, there'll also be times that it'll have to be frozen cooked, as well.

"I imagine that this cooked feta is when you bake an entire block of feta whole but don't finish it in one sitting," says  Sennett.

• Store in a container: When you bake feta, the entire structure of the cheese changes, and so you should store it in a container with no brine or with plastic wrap, but Sennett cautions you'll need to finish it within 1 to 3 days, as it does not have the same acidity anymore to keep.

The Best Way To Freeze Feta

1. Blot: When freezing feta, LaMarita begins by blotting the cheese with a towel first to absorb any excess water on it. Then, it's time to prepare the feta.
2. Slice: "Cut the feta into appropriate sizes for later use (once it is frozen it will be difficult to cut precisely)," says LaMarita.
3. Seal: Wrap the feta in freezer paper first to prevent freezer burn.
4. Store: Finally, place it into a resealable, freezer bag.
5. Label: It's also always a good idea to label freezer items with the name and date so you can easily identify it in the freezer.

Risks For Storing Feta Incorrectly

As feta is perishable, there's certain risks in not storing it correctly. "When producing feta, the cheese is aged in brine for a few weeks or up to a year or more at 45 to 55 degrees F. But this cheese is sensitive to variations in acidity, this is a cheese I wouldn't recommend storing at room temperature for days or weeks," says  Sennett.

• If left out overnight: If you bring the feta to room temperature for a few hours that is completely safe, but it will denature very quickly if you leave it out overnight. "Cheese is best served at room temperature for flavor and texture expression, and it can be put back into the fridge after a few hours with no safety risk," said Sennett.
• Bacteria risks: Maintaining food safety is always the most important aspect of food storage. "If stored incorrectly, cheese can start to grow bacteria, which could cause illness if consumed," notes Trevor Craig, a food safety expert at Microbac Laboratories. Some pathogenic bacteria can grow surprisingly fast.

What Happens When You Freeze Feta?

While fresh is always going to be the most delicious, you can freeze feta. "Just like a stone fruit is best eaten in peak season, I would suggest enjoying your feta in the moment as well," says Emily Murphy. That said, it can be done as long as you are mindful of some changes that will occur to the cheese  if you freeze it in various forms. 

• Texture: "Freezing feta cheese can alter its texture, making it crumblier and less creamy," says Murphy. This change is more noticeable with block feta compared to crumbled feta.
• Flavor: "While the flavor remains relatively intact, it's best to use thawed feta in cooked dishes rather than fresh salads to mask any textural changes," adds Murphy.

Freezing Different Types

The freezing method will vary depending on the type of feta.

• For Block Feta: "Drain any brine, wrap the cheese tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and place it in a freezer bag," says Murphy.  Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing.
• For Crumbled: "Spread the crumbles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Then transfer the frozen crumbles to a freezer bag," says Murphy. Thaw feta cheese in the refrigerator overnight. "Avoid thawing at room temperature to reduce the risk of bacterial growth," notes Murphy.