The answer is… absolutely, Yes, goat cheese can be frozen. It is a great way to preserve cheese for longer storage because freezing it doesn’t significantly alter the flavor or texture.
But it’s not as simple as putting the goat cheese in the freezer, shutting the door, and carrying on with your day. Goat cheese must be frozen in a slightly more complicated manner.
When properly carried out, this procedure will perfectly preserve your delicious goat cheese, making it ready for consumption at a later time.
So, make sure you get the right equipment and carefully follow all the steps below to properly freeze goat cheese
Table of Contents
What is Goat Cheese?
Chevre, a type of goat cheese made from goat’s milk, is frequently used. More fat and less lactose than cow cheese, it has a complex flavor and softer texture. Additionally, goat cheese can occasionally have spice or herb toppings in addition to its distinctive range of white hues.
Whether you follow a vegan or non-vegan diet, there are many foods that can replace goat cheese in case you can’t find it in your local market. On the other hand, you can use this cheese as a great substitute for feta, blue, and other types of cheese. Isn’t it very adaptable?
“Goat cheese with herbs”
Goat cheese comes in two main varieties—block and spread—and is used in a wide range of recipes to add flavor, texture, and aesthetic appeal to food.
It pairs well with snacks like sandwiches and crackers, as well as your favorite cold starters, salads, pasta dishes, pizza toppings, and soups.
“Grilled sandwiches with goat cheese and tomato”
With wine and beer, it pairs well. Goat cheese has incredible health benefits in addition to being a wonderful addition to food.
Is Goat Cheese Good for Health?
One of the healthiest cheeses is goat cheese because it is packed with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients and is a great source of calcium, protein, fat, and calcium.
Some of the specific health benefits of goat cheese are as follows:
- Improve Gut Health
Numerous probiotics found in goat cheese are advantageous to the immune system, digestive system, and gut.
- Strong Bones
Goat cheese contains calcium, an important nutrient for healthy bones and the prevention of osteoporosis.
- Weight Loss
Because the fats in goat cheese, like omega 3, are quickly metabolized, they make you feel fuller and less hungry, which helps you lose weight.
How to Freeze Goat Cheese?
Traditional goat cheese logs can also be frozen, but they might not look elegant enough to serve at your upcoming wine and cheese event. After being frozen and then thawed, the log can become a little mushy on the outside while becoming a little more crumbly inside. However, freezing won’t affect the flavor or quality. This particular goat cheese is ideal for recipes as well as for crumbling over salads or hamburgers.
If you want to freeze a traditional goat cheese log, consider whether you’ll use the entire amount at once or whether freezing it in smaller pieces makes more sense.
- Goat cheese slices should be individually wrapped in two layers of plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn.
- After that, put the frozen bag of goat cheese in which it was wrapped.
- After taking out as much air as you can, seal the bag.
- Date and label the bag.
How Long Can Goat Cheese Keep in the Freezer?
Goat cheese can be kept in the freezer for about 6 months if it is properly stored and no oxygen is allowed inside the bag.
But as it ages, its flavor and consistency will deteriorate, so the sooner you use it, the more closely it will resemble the fresh goat cheese from the beginning.
Bonus Tips
- Goat cheese should only be frozen if it is still edible. In particular, if it exhibits signs of deterioration like mold, mold, discoloration, an unpleasant odor, or watery, you should discard it rather than freeze it.
- Goat cheese should not be frozen again after being thawed because it will lose its original flavor and texture.
- You must completely fill the container before adding the goat cheese spread in order to keep air out. Use additional olive oil to make up any gaps if the cheese is insufficient.
Types of Goat Cheese
Spreadable Goat Cheese
Spreadable cheese is a different type of cheese. For bread and pastries, this is a popular option. In terms of similarities to goat cheese, goat cheese spread is similar. Spread cheese is different because it has a softer texture. If the cheese spread is still in its original container, there is no need to worry about moving it into another one because the seal on the original container is the right kind.
If you already took it out of the packaging, then roll it tightly into a ball, making sure there are no air bubbles inside the ball. After that, wrap the cheese in cling film, making sure to press out any possible air bubbles. Making use of a vacuum seal will ensure this. Keep it as a ball by sealing the sides. After that, put this ball in a zip-top freezer bag. In order to know when to use the balls by, try to label the packs once more.
Solid Goat Cheese
Goat cheese comes in a variety of varieties, so you’ll need to take particular precautions to ensure that your cheese is stored correctly. Large blocks of solid goat cheese are common. As a result, before freezing it, divide it into smaller blocks that you will likely use one at a time.
To prevent it from going bad and forcing you to put it back in the freezer, which you don’t want to do, you must be able to consume the portion within at least five days. After that, individually wrap each cheese piece in cling wrap. Make sure it is tightly sealed and that there is no space for air to enter.
Once this is finished, put the cheese pieces in a zip-top bag. Verify that there is no air present as well. To accomplish this, a vacuum seal can be used. A label with the date of expiration and information about when the food was frozen and packaged is also helpful. Remember that the cheese would not have come in that plastic; you would have had to rewrap it. The manufacturer’s expiration dates are no longer available to you, so.
How to Thaw Goat Cheese?
The type of goat cheese you put in the freezer and the size of the portions should be taken into account when thawing it.
Thaw Spreadable Goat Cheese:
- Taking it out of the freezer, you should put it in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.
- Once the cheese has fully defrosted, remove the plastic wrap and stir it to bring it back to its original creamy consistency if it has become a little watery.
Thaw Solid Goat Cheese
- Goat cheese should be defrosted by removing it from the freezer and storing it in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
- Remove the cheese from its packaging and use it in recipes or as a salad or other dish topping.
Never thaw goat cheese on the counter as harmful bacteria might develop.
Goat cheese that has just been thawed needs to be consumed within two to three days. Never thaw cheese that has already been frozen.
What Food Goes Well With Thawed Goat Cheese?
Your goat cheese might taste too bland and lose too much of its texture after being defrosted. Even if it isn’t good enough to eat on its own, it will taste fantastic when added to other recipes. Here’s some foodie inspiration:
Creamy sauces – any dishes with a creamy sauce, like this peppercorn chicken are perfect for adding goats cheese, once it has thawed.
Lasagna – you can add your thawed goats cheese to a delicious white sauce for an extra rich lasagna. The goat cheese will elevate it to a new level after it has fully heated through.
Soups – after freezing, goat cheese will make an excellent addition to creamy vegetable soups.
Casseroles – add your thawed goat cheese to casseroles, for an extra creamy, cheesy taste and a thicker, creamier texture.
Caprese skewers – swap out the mozzarella for goat cheese… it will work really well with the tomato and basil flavors.
What Cheeses Can Be Frozen?
Besides goat cheese, do you know if cheese can be frozen?
All kinds of cheese can be frozen without posing any health risks. Having said that, some kinds of cheese freeze better than others.
The freezing process has a negative impact on some cheeses. You won’t want to eat them after they thaw because their flavor and texture have been drastically altered.
Other kinds, however, can be frozen without losing flavor. They are ideal for stockpiling and purchasing in bulk because of this.
Ice crystals grow when cheese is frozen. When goat’s cheese is frozen, its water expands; when it cools, it contracts. When you thaw it as a result, it might crumble. When soft cheese is taken out of the freezer, it may contain a lot of extra liquid.
Large blocks of cheese, such as cheddar, produced on a large scale, are ideal for freezing. They don’t lose their texture when you thaw them and have a more consistent structure.
Parmesan and pecorino romano, two harder cheeses, can be frozen without issue. They do develop a slight burnt taste, but aside from that, they hold their texture and flavor quite well.
When frozen, some soft cheeses may lose some of their flavor. The best kinds of cheese to freeze are some soft cheeses like paneer and queso fresco.
FAQs
Should I Eat Expired Goat Cheese?
Goat cheese that still tastes good and has its original texture can be consumed even though it has passed its expiration date. Toss it out right away if, however, you spot any mildew, water damage, or unpleasant odors.
Should I Eat Goat Cheese While I’m Pregnant?
Certain varieties of goat cheese, particularly those made from raw, unpasteurized goat milk, are unsafe for consumption by expectant mothers. It may result in flu-like symptoms for the mother, meningitis, and even the infant’s death.
Are All Goat Cheese Feta?
The type of milk used to make feta cheese and goat cheese is the primary distinction. Unlike goat cheese, which is typically made with goat milk, feta is typically made with sheep’s milk.
Does Goat Cheese Melt on Pizza?
Goat cheese will not melt into long strands like provolone or mozzarella when used as a topping for pizza. It is still melted and smooth, creamy on the inside, and has a hint of caramel on the outside.
What If I Eat Too Much Goat Cheese?
If you eat too much goat cheese, which contains lactose, you may experience indigestion or other symptoms like cramps, bloating, gas, and vomiting.
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