Can You Freeze Cottage Cheese

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Can you freeze cottage cheese?  The short answer is yes.  But should you freeze it? That all depends on your intended use for it after it’s been frozen.  We’ll help you understand the effects of freezing cottage cheese as well as how to freeze it.

Fresh cottage cheese
Fresh cottage cheese

Effects of Freezing Cottage Cheese

When cottage cheese is frozen, it changes it as far as texture, consistency, and how you might prefer to use it. Here are the details of the effects of freezing cottage cheese. Here’s what to remember before freezing cottage cheese.

Alters taste and texture. After cottage cheese has been frozen, it tends to become slightly more bitter and the texture changes to be chunkier crumbles.

Tends to have chunkier consistency. Cottage cheese has a chunkier consistency after it’s been frozen. Instead of being smooth crumbles, the crumbles tend to chunk together for bigger chunks.

Might not be as rich. After cottage cheese has been frozen, it loses some of its richness. Choosing cottage cheese that’s higher in fat will have better results.

Might prefer to use in cooked dishes rather than eaten fresh. Instead of eating cottage cheese that’s been frozen straight from the spoon, you might prefer to use it in cooked or baked dishes instead of eating it fresh.

How to Freeze and Use Cottage Cheese

Should you choose to freeze cottage cheese to use it later for a specific purpose, here are our step-by-step instructions for how to freeze cottage cheese.

Separate Into Portions

The first thing to do when freezing cottage cheese is to separate it into the desired portion sizes. Cottage cheese can be purchased in quite large containers in wholesale stores.

The average household will not use such large quantities at a time, so you’ll want to divide it up into manageable and useable portions for freezing and thawing.

Use an Airtight Container

When freezing cottage cheese, if the package is unopened and still sealed, it’s best to freeze it in its original packaging if it doesn’t need to be portioned out.

Use Freezer Bag

Use a freezer bag for best results for cottage cheese that needs to be divided out. Be sure to seal the zipped freezer bag to keep the cottage cheese as fresh as possible.

Remove Air

When packaging cottage cheese to be frozen, be sure to remove any excess air to keep it from becoming freezer burnt.

cottage cheese on table
cottage cheese on table

How to Thaw Frozen Cottage Cheese

Once your cottage cheese has been frozen, you’ll want to know how to thaw it safely.  Here are some tips for properly defrosting your cottage cheese.

How to defrost cottage cheese: Placing your cottage cheese in the refrigerator overnight is the best method for defrosting it as far as food safety is concerned.  

Just transfer your cottage cheese in its container to the refrigerator the night before you intend to use it if you want it thawed.

However, if you’re in a hurry and don’t have the advance time to allow the overnight thawing, then you can thaw it more rapidly by placing it on the kitchen counter in a bowl of cold water. The cold water will need to be changed every 30 minutes until the cottage cheese is thawed.

We don’t recommend thawing using this method for food safety reasons. 

How to Use Frozen Cottage Cheese

The best way to use frozen cottage cheese is in cooked dishes such as pasta dishes and casseroles. It also works well to be placed directly in smoothies as frozen cubes.

For the best results, you’ll want to drain any excess liquid and seal tightly.

can you freeze cottage cheese
can you freeze cottage cheese

Uses of Thawed Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese that has been frozen has a different consistency than that of fresh cottage cheese. It is more chunky and not as rich in flavor. Therefore, the best way to use frozen cottage cheese is in dishes such as:

pasta
casseroles
cheesecake
pancakes
soups
sauces

How Long Can Cottage Cheese Be Frozen?

Cottage cheese can be frozen for up to 3 months, stored in an airtight container or freezer safe zipped storage bag in a freezer that is 0F degrees. 

What Do the Producers Say?

According to the Daisy website, cottage cheese shouldn’t be frozen. Here’s what they say:

“Please avoid freezing your sour cream and cottage cheese, as it can adversely affect the creamy texture and all-natural flavor of the product. However, you may use Daisy Brand Sour Cream and Cottage Cheese in a pre-prepared dish and freeze the prepared item.”

Shelf Life of Cottage Cheese

Following is a table that shows the estimated shelf life of cottage cheese under the proper storage conditions.

Storage Method         Last For
Room temperature   2 hours
In the fridge              up to 7 days opened
In the freezer            up to 3 months
After defrosting         thawed in fridge, up to 3 days, on the counter 1 day

Fresh cottage cheese
Fresh cottage cheese

How to Tell If Cottage Cheese Has Gone Bad?

Yes, cottage cheese can go bad. Following are key indicators to look for and know that your cottage cheese is likely spoiled.

Smell. Smell your cottage cheese and see if it has a sour smell to it. If it smells sour or off in any way, it has likely gone bad and should be thrown away.

Dryness. If you open your cottage cheese to find out that it’s dried out, this could also be an indicator that it has gone bad.

Mold. If any type of mold is present in your container, throw your cottage cheese away and do not eat it.

Pockets of water. If pockets of water are present when you open your container of cottage cheese, this could also be an indicator that it has spoiled. 

Discoloration. If your cottage cheese appears green, yellow, gray, or any other color besides white, it has gone bad and shouldn’t be consumed. Throw it away instead.

Is Cottage Cheese Good for You?

Cottage cheese is high in vitamins and minerals such as calcium, selenium, vitamin A and vitamin B. It’s typically low in calories. Athletes often use it as a muscle recovery aid after their workouts. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Following are frequently asked questions for can you freeze cottage cheese. If you have a question that’s not answered here, please drop it in the comments box below and we’ll be happy to answer it.

cottage cheese in glass bowl
cottage cheese in glass bowl

How to select the best type of cottage cheese to freeze? 

For the best cottage cheese to freeze, you’ll want to choose the cottage cheese that has the highest percentage of fat. The more fat, the better outcome when you freeze it.

Can I freeze my cottage cheese again after thawing it?

No, once your cottage cheese has been frozen and thawed, it is not safe to freeze it again.  It either needs to be used right away or thrown away. 

Can I defrost cottage cheese in the microwave?

Yes, you can thaw cottage cheese in the microwave using the defrost mode, but it should only be thawed this way if you plan to use it immediately.

Which one is better for freezing cottage cheese: airtight container or freezer bag?

A freezer bag is better for freezing cottage cheese when the excess air is removed. It helps to prevent freezer burn, unlike placing it in an airtight container with extra space at the top which allows air to be trapped inside. 

Why is my cottage cheese separated when I haven’t put it in the freezer?

It is normal for cottage cheese to separate when it’s stored. As long as there are no key indicators of spoilage present that we listed above, just use a spoon to stir it back together before serving it and it will be fine.

Does cottage cheese freeze well?

No, cottage cheese doesn’t freeze very well if you’re thinking of eating it by the spoonful after it’s frozen. Freezing cottage cheese changes the consistency, texture, and sometimes alters the flavor.

Can you eat frozen cottage cheese? 

Yes, you can eat frozen cottage cheese when it’s frozen.

How long does cottage cheese last after opening?

Cottage cheese should last up to 7 days when covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator that has a temperature of less than 40F degrees.

What can I do with cottage cheese?

Cottage cheese can be used in a variety of dishes including eaten fresh, after it’s been frozen, used in smoothies, baked goods, or sauces and dips.

Can you freeze cottage cheese and eat it later?

Yes, but be sure to read the key factors of how cottage cheese is altered before you proceed with freezing it.

Can you freeze cottage cheese in lasagna?

Yes, freezing cottage cheese in lasagna works just fine.

Can you freeze cottage cheese for smoothies?

Yes, you can freeze cottage cheese for smoothies. It works well to freeze it in ice cube trays for the purpose of use in smoothies.

Can you freeze cottage cheese and ricotta cheese?

Yes, both can be frozen, however the texture, consistency, and flavors are altered as a result.

Can cottage cheese be cooked?

Yes, cottage cheese can be cooked in pasta and casserole dishes.

Other Related Ideas:

Can you freeze yogurt?

Summary:

We trust that you’ve found this information helpful to make your decision on whether you will freeze your cottage cheese and sour cream.  

Or if you came simply looking for the answer to any of these questions: can you freeze cottage cheese pancakes, can you freeze cottage cheese in a kong, can you freeze cottage cheese with pineapple, or just plain want to know the answer to hey google can you freeze cottage cheese. We trust you’ve come away feeling more knowledgeable.

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Sarah
Sarah is known for her extra fancy yeast breads, melt in your mouth pies, and everything salads. She has won awards as a home cook, and is passionate about helping others feel smarter in the kitchen. Sarah is the cooking genius of the sister duo.

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