Can Camembert cheese be frozen?

Camembert cheese is one of the most popular cheeses in the world. It has a wide variety of uses. The reason is that it always tastes great, both as an ingredient in other dishes and when eaten on its own.

It is not surprising that one wants to freeze it, but the question is: can it be done?

Can camembert cheese be safely frozen?

The answer is yes, but you may sacrifice some of its quality in the process. If you want to eat your camembert without any preparation or cooking, freezing is not recommended, as it will inevitably affect the texture of the cheese. However, for those who want to prepare a sauce or something else, freezing is a good option.

Regardless of what plans you have for your camembert, if you want to freeze it successfully, you have to know how to do it. There are ways to ensure that you will retain as much flavor as possible.

If you want to learn how to freeze your camembert cheese, keep reading!

Freeze the perfect camembert

Camembert goes well with so many different dishes that it’s hard to even begin to name them all.

It is definitely one of the most popular cheeses in the world, and is enjoyed in many homes by millions of people.

It is the key ingredient in countless sauces and cheese-based foods, such as casseroles or pasta dishes.

Other than that, many people enjoy it without any preparation.

Camembert works great on a cheese board with a bottle of your favorite wine, as a topping on some bread, or simply as an appetizer on its own.

It has a unique flavor that no other type of cheese has been able to reproduce.  Therefore, it can be said that it is the favorite of many people.

Despite its many virtues, camembert is not the cheapest of cheeses. Some types can be downright expensive, while others are relatively affordable for the type, but still more expensive than other types.

Since buying camembert can be a small expense, when you find some on sale, you may want to stock up. This is a good idea, since camembert keeps very well and can be eaten weeks after buying it.

Advantages and disadvantages of freezing camembert cheese

And if you have bought a lot and want to freeze a part? You can, but there are some limitations.

When it comes to cheeses, freezing always affects their texture . Hard or semi-hard cheese can be frozen, but will tend to crumble or have a less pleasant texture when removed from the freezer.

The advantage is that you can safely freeze many types of cheese, including camembert, if you don’t plan to eat it as is when you thaw it later.

If you melt the cheese into a sauce, dip, or anything else, you won’t experience any change in texture or flavor.

The advantages of freezing camembert

• Extends Shelf Life – Although camembert is a fairly durable type of cheese that keeps well in the fridge, you can’t expect it to last for months. In the fridge, yes.
• Allows you to stock up - if you find a great deal on camembert or just like to make sure you have it in your house at all times, freezing is a good option.
• Nothing goes to waste : Do you have leftover camembert that you don’t know what to do with? Don’t throw it away, freeze it!
• It keeps very well for a long time: you can expect it to retain its quality for up to 6 months.
• It is still safe to eat even after 6 months - although the flavor may be affected over time, camembert will still be safe to eat. If frozen properly, it will keep indefinitely.

The disadvantages of freezing camembert

• It can become brittle – This is something that happens no matter how long you freeze the camembert. However, the longer it is frozen, the more its texture will be affected.
• It may lose some of its flavor - fortunately, this is not a big problem with camembert cheeses. Most of the flavor will remain, but due to the change in texture, you may experience it differently.
• It can also become rubbery.
• It is better to keep it in the refrigerator and it is not very suitable to freeze it.

Now that you know the advantages and disadvantages of freezing your favorite cheese, you may be wondering what you can do to make it freeze well.

To help you freeze and then thaw camembert, we have put together a handy in-depth guide below.

Detailed guide to freezing camembert

There are ways to freeze camembert that will improve its quality. If you want to get the perfect texture and flavor, it’s a good idea to take some time during the freezing process to get there.

Camembert is quite a delicate cheese that needs to be handled with care, including how to cut it.

On the other hand, it is among the list of cheeses that chefs recommend freezing.

As long as you are aware that your cheese will primarily be used for cooking and not eaten as is, you can safely freeze camembert.

The other key point in freezing camembert comes after you take it out of the freezer and try to thaw it. Let’s take a closer look at both processes.

How to freeze camembert

Freezing camembert the right way requires more preparation than you might first think. Don’t just stick it in the freezer and hope for the best. If you spend a few minutes preparing your camembert, your future self will thank you.

1. To begin with, you have to choose the right cheese. Your ideal camembert will not have dry or cracked edges or mold that does not correspond. It should also be within the best before date, especially if you plan to freeze it for a long time.
2. If the camembert is hard or semi-hard, you can freeze it right away. However, if it is soft, you must wait until it reaches the desired maturity.
3. Once you have chosen the best camembert, you can start freezing it.
4. Cut the cheese into portions that are no larger than a pound each.
5. Wrap the pieces tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil. You can also use plastic freezer wrap or, alternatively, a heavy-duty freezer bag.
6. Be sure to label the cheese when you put it in.
7. Put it in the freezer and let it freeze.
8. The temperature of your freezer should not exceed 20 degrees Celsius.

How to defrost camembert

Every coin has two sides. When you freeze camembert, you can keep it in the freezer for months without compromising its quality too much. But there are times when you will want to use it. How do you defrost safely?

1. Take the desired amount of camembert out of the freezer.
2. Place it on a plate.
3. Transfer the camembert from the freezer to the fridge.
4. Let it thaw slowly for a day or two.

This method is not ideal if you need the camembert right now, but it is the one that preserves its quality the most.

You can microwave it if you really want to, but you won’t like the texture at all. It will become rubbery and lose some of its flavor.

Another thawing option, although less recommended than the first, is to thaw the camembert by keeping it in cold water.

This will have the desired effect more quickly than the fridge method, but it is not ideal for the consistency of your cheese.

Related questions

We hope our guide has helped you learn all about freezing and thawing camembert. If you still have pressing questions on your mind, keep reading below to see the answers to the most common ones!

How long can I keep camembert in the fridge after thawing it?

Once the camembert is thawed, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 4 more days before you actually need to eat it.

In general, items that were frozen and have since thawed should be eaten as soon as possible for maximum flavor.

How much cheese can be stored at one time?

You can store as much cheese as you need. We do not recommend freezing large wedges without breaking them up first.

So if you ever fancy some camembert, you won’t have to defrost a whole big chunk when all you wanted was something small to make a sauce.

What are the best cheeses to freeze?

You will like to know that camembert is one of the best cheeses to freeze, since it can be kept indefinitely if it freezes well. Other cheeses that you can freeze are

• mozzarella
• muenster
• Port du Salut
• Edam
• cheddar
• Parmesan
• Provolone
• Roman
• Swiss
• Blue cheese (definitely crumbles when thawed)