How To Freeze Cottage Cheese

Learn the best way to freeze cottage cheese using a double bag method to ensure optimal freshness for freezing and thawing.

Freezing cottage cheese is a safe and easy way to prolong the life and avoid having to throw it away due to spoilage. However, improper freezing can cause the cottage cheese to be inedible when thawed. So to ensure you have great freezing results every time, use the following steps with a double bag method to ensure optimal freezing conditions.

Jump to:

• Is it safe to freeze cottage cheese?
• The best type of cottage cheese to freeze
• The steps to freeze cottage cheese
• How long can cottage cheese be kept in the freezer
• Best way to thaw frozen cottage cheese
• Cottage cheese quality after freezing
• Appropriate uses for cottage cheese that has been frozen and thawed.
• Frequently Asked Questions
• How To Freeze Cottage Cheese

Is it safe to freeze cottage cheese?

There are many that believe cottage cheese shouldn’t be frozen. This isn’t because it can’t be done or isn’t safe. It because freezing cottage cheese does come at a cost to the overall quality. Freezing cottage cheese will result in a different texture. Freezing will cause the liquid to crystallize and the liquid can be somewhat grainy when it defrosts. For this reason, it is not recommended to eat it by itself after freezing. Instead, use it in recipes like smoothies and lasagna.

The best type of cottage cheese to freeze

Full fat cottage cheese tends to do better when thawed than cottage cheese with a lower fat content. Nonfat cottage cheese doesn’t tend to do well after freezing. I love to make big batches of homemade full fat cottage cheese and you can also freeze the leftover whey in small batches for later use.

The steps to freeze cottage cheese

Divide into small portions

First, divide the cottage cheese into desired portion size. Once the cottage cheese has thawed it will need to be used immediately so freezing proportioned sizes will ensure excessive cottage cheese is not going to waste. The preferred portion size will vary by household however most recipes call for ½ cup to 1 cup so freezing in ½ cup portions is a fairly safe bet.

Write the date on a freezer safe ziploc bag

Freezer bags work well for freezing cottage cheese as they are designed for cold temperatures and you can freeze the cottage cheese in thin layers for easier thawing. As an added bonus, you can also easily write the date it was frozen on the bag for future reference.

Place cottage cheese in freezer safe ziploc bag and then double bag in a second ziploc bag.

Freezer bags are designed to protect food from the extreme cold but to ensure optimal freezing, I recommend you use a double bagging method. Place ½ cup cottage cheese in a quart size ziploc bag and spread the cottage cheese into a thin layer. Squeeze out the excess air and tightly secure the closure. For added protection from freezer burn, wrap the excess bag around the cottage cheese and then place the entire bag into a larger, one gallon ziploc bag (or smaller ziploc bag if you do not need to freeze multiple ½ cup portions).

Place in the freezer

Place the cottage cheese on a flat surface in your freezer.

It’s as simple as that!

How long can cottage cheese be kept in the freezer

Cottage cheese can be kept in the freezer for 3-6 months.

Best way to thaw frozen cottage cheese

When you are ready to use the cottage cheese, place the frozen bags into the refrigerator to defrost. This could take up to 24 hours so plan accordingly. When it thaws, you may see the liquids separate. This is normal. However, the cottage cheese should not have a weird or funky smell. If so, throw it away. The cottage cheese should be used within 24 hours of thawing.

Cottage cheese quality after freezing

The cottage cheese pictured below was a full fat cottage cheese that had been frozen for one week. It held up really well and was still fairly creamy but there was a slight change in the texture and the curds had a firmer bite. However, you can expect varying results depending on the type of cottage cheese used and the duration of freezing.

Appropriate uses for cottage cheese that has been frozen and thawed.

Cottage cheese is the perfect high protein snack and low carbohydrate addition to many recipes. However, it is not appropriate for all uses after it has been frozen.

Frozen cottage cheese goes great in baked recipes like high protein egg cups, protein pancakes, or even blended recipes like smoothies.

Remember, frozen cottage cheese is not a good choice for eating by itself, used in fresh dips, or used in other non frozen or baked recipes that cottage cheese is the main ingredient. Once frozen, the cottage cheese becomes the best supporting actor, not the star.

Frequently Asked Questions