Do you love making pizza at home and use mozzarella cheese? Are you worried about the cheese going bad in few days as you can't consume it? There is good news for you! Mozzarella cheese freezes really well. So let's quickly dive into its details so you can avoid wastage.
Preparation
At times I buy mozzarella cheese in bulk when it is at a discounted price. Sometimes I open a pack and then realize my family cannot consume it in in 8-10 days and it can get spoiled.
Planning is the key here, if you do not intend to use an unopened pack, you can freeze it as is.
When you open a new pack of mozzarella cheese, decide how much you will consume in the next 3-4 days. Depending on that, wrap the portion you will not consume in a cling wrap.
If it is grated mozzarella, just take what you need and then the remaining pack can be frozen.
How to freeze mozzarella cheese
- Unopened pack: Place the pack as is in the freezer, this can be sliced mozzarella, block, or grated cheese.
- Portion: If you know the pack is large to consume at once, portion it in small containers or ziplock bags. The block of cheese can be cut into smaller chunks.
- Label: Mark the container with the date and "Frozen Mozzarella" so you know what is inside the container.
Storage choices
- Original package: mozzarella cheese block, slices, or grated variety can be stored as is in its original packaging in the freezer.
- Freezer-safe bags: small ziplock bags are perfect to store portions of chunks, slices and grated mozzarella. Remove as much air as possible from the bags.
- Airtight containers: freezer-safe plastic, silicone, or glass airtight containers are great for freezing cheese.
- Double layer: to prevent freezer burns, store a container or ziplock bag inside another container.
How to defrost mozzarella cheese?
- Refrigerator: place the frozen mozzarella package or the container overnight or about 8-10 hours in the refrigerator.
- Room temperature: If you plan to use it in next 2 hours, keep it outside at room temperature for 2 hours.
- Quick thaw: Place the frozen pack, container, or ziplock bag with mozzarella into a bowl with warm water for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave: Use the defrost setting of the microwave to thaw it in 2-3 minutes. Make sure to keep turning it so it defrosts evenly.
How to use frozen mozzarella cheese
- Snacking: Once thawed, mozzarella cheese is great for snacking.
- Grilled sandwiches: It is perfect to make grilled cheese sandwiches.
- Pizza: Sprinkle as much mozzarella on the pizza before baking. It will melt and become golden brown in color.
Duration
Mozzarella cheese can be frozen for up to 6 months. It is best to use older batches first to preserve freshness. Once defrosted, you can freeze the cheese again but it is best to thaw only what you need.
More freezing hacks:
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