Can You Freeze Feta Cheese? | Keep That Tangy Block Longer

Yes, you can freeze feta, but the texture turns drier and crumblier so it works best in cooked dishes and crumbled toppings.

Maybe you grabbed feta on sale, cooked less than planned, or just forgot a tub at the back of the fridge. Throwing it out feels like a waste, so the freezer starts to look tempting. The good news is that freezing feta cheese is safe when handled properly, and it can save you money and food waste, as long as you know what will change once it thaws.

This guide walks through what freezing does to feta, the best way to freeze blocks and crumbles, how long frozen feta stays tasty, and when freezing makes sense versus keeping feta fresh in the fridge.

Straight Answer On Freezing Feta Cheese

Feta cheese can go in the freezer without any food safety issue, as long as it started fresh, stayed chilled, and is wrapped well. Freezing does not kill every microbe, but it keeps them from growing by holding the cheese at very low temperatures.

The FDA advises keeping home freezers at 0°F (-18°C) so frozen food stays safe from harmful bacteria growth as long as it remains solidly frozen. For overall storage guidance, the federal Cold Food Storage Chart from FoodSafety.gov notes that foods kept at 0°F or below can stay safe for extended periods, with time limits focused on quality instead of safety.

Feta falls into the “safe but quality changes” camp. Freezing chips away at its creamy feel and can soften the salty edge. That does not make the cheese dangerous; it simply changes how pleasant it is to eat straight from the package.

What Freezing Does To Feta Cheese Texture And Taste

Feta is a brined cheese with a high moisture level and a crumbly, creamy bite. When you place it in the freezer, water inside the cheese forms ice crystals. Those crystals tear through the protein structure and fat pockets that keep feta smooth.

Once thawed, frozen feta cheese tends to:

• Crack and crumble more than fresh feta.
• Feel drier or slightly mealy around the edges.
• Lose a bit of its sharp salty punch, especially if stored for several months.
• Release more liquid when it thaws, leaving the surface a little wet.

A feta Q&A on Cheese.com points out that frozen feta turns crumbly after thawing and works best in hot dishes like casseroles or soups where texture matters less and the cheese melts into the dish instead of sitting on top in neat cubes.

A freezing guide from Castello Cheese lists feta among the cheeses that can be frozen, with a suggested freezer time of about 3–4 months for best eating quality. That matches real kitchen experience: beyond that point, feta keeps its tang but can turn dry and bland.

Feta Form	How To Freeze It	Best Use After Thawing
Block In Brine (Unopened)	Chill, remove from outer wrap, double-wrap the tub or carton in freezer bags to limit leaks and odors.	Crumbled over hot pasta, grain bowls, or baked dishes where slight dryness is hidden.
Block In Brine (Opened)	Top up with fresh brine if needed, seal the container, then place inside a freezer bag with as little air as possible.	Crumbled onto warm vegetables, sheet-pan meals, or stirred into stews and sauces.
Block, Drained Of Brine	Pat dry, cut into hand-sized pieces, wrap in foil or parchment, then pack into an airtight freezer bag or box.	Shredded or crumbled for pizzas, omelets, egg bakes, and savory pies.
Pre-Packaged Crumbled Feta	Freeze in the original tub inside a freezer bag, or portion into small freezer-safe containers.	Sprinkled over hot dishes, mixed into fillings, or stirred into sauces and soups.
Homemade Crumbles	Crumble onto a tray, freeze until firm, then transfer to freezer bags, squeezing out extra air.	Grab-and-go topping for pasta bakes, roasted vegetables, and breakfast skillets.
Cubes In Marinade Or Oil	Use a freezer-safe jar or container with headspace for expansion, then seal well.	Added to roasted vegetables, grilled meats, or tossed into warm salads, where both oil and cheese season the dish.
Low-Fat Or Light Feta	Wrap tightly and pack in small portions; expect more dryness after thawing.	Mixed into cooked dishes with sauce, such as tomato-based pastas or stews that add back moisture.

Freezing Feta Cheese At Home Step By Step

Freezing feta cheese is simple once you decide which form suits your cooking plans. Smaller, well-wrapped portions freeze faster, thaw faster, and give better results than a single big brick.

How To Freeze A Block Of Feta

Use this method when you buy a large block and know you will use it in several different recipes later.

1. Check freshness. Make sure the cheese smells clean and pleasantly tangy, with no off odors or slimy surfaces.
2. Decide on brine or no brine. If your recipes like a strong salty kick, keep the brine. If you prefer more control over salt, drain and rinse the block before freezing.
3. Cut into smaller pieces. Slice the block into portions you can use in a single recipe, such as 100–150 gram chunks.
4. Wrap well. For drained feta, wrap each piece in parchment or foil, then place several wrapped pieces into a freezer bag and press out excess air. For brined feta, keep it in a leakproof tub and place that tub inside a freezer bag.
5. Label and date. Write the type of feta and the freezing date so you can track storage time.
6. Freeze quickly. Place the portions in the coldest part of your freezer, leaving space around them for air to move during the first few hours.

How To Freeze Crumbled Feta

Crumbled feta freezes well and is handy when you only need a small handful for a dish.

1. Spread feta on a tray. Line a small baking sheet with parchment and scatter the crumbles in a single layer so they freeze individually.
2. Freeze until firm. Place the tray in the freezer for about one hour, until the crumbles are hard.
3. Pack into containers. Tip the frozen crumbles into freezer bags or small boxes, then squeeze or press out as much air as you can.
4. Portion for recipes. Pack in amounts you often use, like half-cup or one-cup bags, to avoid repeated thawing.
5. Store flat. Lay the bags flat in the freezer so they stack neatly and thaw quickly when needed.

How To Freeze Feta Stored In Brine Or Oil

Many shoppers buy feta tubs with salty brine or jars packed in oil and herbs. These can go straight into the freezer with a few small adjustments.

1. Check the container. Make sure the tub or jar is freezer-safe. Thin plastic can crack at low temperatures.
2. Leave headspace. Liquids expand in the freezer, so leave a little space at the top of the container.
3. Seal and bag. Seal the lid firmly, then place the container inside a freezer bag to catch any leaks and block odors.
4. Label clearly. Write “feta in brine” or “feta in oil,” the date, and any herbs or spices included.

When you thaw these containers in the fridge, the brine or oil helps protect flavor. Use both cheese and liquid to season your cooking.

How Long Frozen Feta Stays Tasty

For food safety, frozen feta cheese kept at 0°F or below stays safe far longer than you are likely to store it, as long as the cheese never partly thaws and refreezes. Safety is not the limiting factor here; flavor and texture are.

Castello’s freezing guide recommends 3–4 months in the freezer for feta before quality starts to slide. In a home kitchen, many cooks find that using feta within two to three months gives the best balance of taste and texture, especially if you enjoy a clear salty tang.

Here is a simple rule of thumb:

• Use frozen feta within 2 months if you plan to serve it in salads or as a topping where the cheese is noticeable.
• Use frozen feta within 3–4 months for baked dishes, sauces, and fillings where slight dryness is harder to detect.
• After that window, the cheese still stays safe in a steady 0°F freezer, but the quality drops more with each month.

Best Ways To Use Feta After Freezing

Once you understand that frozen feta will crumble more and feel less creamy, you can match it with recipes where that texture fits right in.

Cooked Dishes That Love Extra Crumble

Thawed frozen feta works well in any hot dish where it melts slightly, softens into the sauce, or simply adds salty pockets here and there. Good ideas include:

• Breakfast bakes, such as egg casseroles with spinach, tomatoes, or potatoes.
• Pasta dishes, where crumbled feta tops baked penne, lasagna, or stuffed shells.
• Sheet-pan meals with chicken, peppers, onions, and olives finished with a shower of feta.
• Stuffed vegetables like peppers, tomatoes, or zucchini mixed with grains and crumbled cheese.
• Hearty soups and stews, where feta melts slightly on top of each bowl.

Cold Dishes Where Frozen Feta Still Works

In cold dishes, texture shows more, but frozen feta can still shine if you lean into its crumbly side and keep the cheese in small pieces.

• Grain salads made with quinoa, bulgur, or farro, mixed with roasted vegetables and olives.
• Chopped salads with cucumber, tomato, red onion, and plenty of herbs.
• Bean salads with chickpeas or white beans, lemon dressing, and a generous handful of feta crumbs.
• Flatbreads or pitas topped with hummus, shredded vegetables, and a sprinkle of feta just before serving.

If you plan to set out a cheese board or snack on feta in neat cubes, stick with fresh cheese rather than a frozen batch. Freezing takes away that smooth, clean cut that many people enjoy alongside olives and crackers.

Moments When Freezing Feta Is A Bad Idea

It helps to know when the freezer is not your friend. Skip freezing feta when:

• You want tidy cubes for a cheese board or appetizer platter.
• You have only a tiny piece left that you can finish within a day or two in the fridge.
• The cheese already smells off, feels slimy, or shows unusual colors; freezing will not fix spoilage.
• You have low-fat feta and plan to eat it plain; the freezer will make it even drier.

Food Safety And Storage Tips For Feta

Safe freezing starts with safe handling. If feta sat out at room temperature for hours, freezing will not undo the risk. Always start with cheese that has been chilled and stored correctly.

The FDA’s storage update on home refrigerators and freezers explains that freezers should stay at 0°F (-18°C), and fridges should sit at or below 40°F (4°C). Using an appliance thermometer and placing it near the door or warmest spot helps you confirm that your freezer stays cold enough for long-term storage.

When thawing frozen feta cheese:

• Thaw in the fridge, not on the counter. Place the wrapped cheese on a plate or in a bowl to catch any liquid.
• Use thawed feta within three days for best taste.
• Do not refreeze thawed feta; repeated cycles worsen texture and raise safety concerns if the cheese warms too much in between.

Keep feta away from raw meat juices and other strong-smelling foods in the fridge or freezer. Good wrapping and a sturdy container protect both flavor and safety.

Storage Method	Fridge Time	Freezer Time (Best Quality)
Unopened Feta In Brine	Up to the date on the package, then about 1 week once opened.	About 3–4 months before noticeable quality loss.
Opened Feta In Brine	1–2 weeks if kept fully submerged and chilled.	About 3 months in well-sealed tubs.
Drained Block Of Feta	5–7 days wrapped well in the fridge.	2–3 months when double-wrapped with air pressed out.
Crumbled Feta	5–7 days in an airtight box.	1–3 months in portioned freezer bags.
Cooked Dishes With Feta	3–4 days in the fridge.	2–3 months in freezer-safe containers.

Final Tips For Freezing Feta Cheese

Freezing feta cheese works best when you match the method to how you cook. Cut blocks into small portions, wrap them tightly, and freeze them as flat and quickly as you can. Crumbles are perfect for quick pasta bakes and egg dishes, while feta in brine or oil adds punch to roasted vegetables and stews.

Keep your freezer at a steady 0°F, follow safe thawing in the fridge, and aim to use frozen feta within three months. Treat the freezer as a way to stretch your food budget and cut down on waste, not as a reason to ignore freshness. With a little planning, you can freeze feta and still enjoy that salty, tangy edge in plenty of meals later on.