Can vegan cheese be frozen? - The best way

Vegan cheeses that are waxy, chalky, don’t melt, and don’t taste like cheese are a thing of the past. With the market full of high-quality substitutes, plant-based dieters are trying to get the most out of tasty alternatives.

If you’re a dairy-free person or just enjoy eating plant-based cheese, you might be wondering if you can freeze vegan cheese.

So can vegan cheese be frozen?

The answer is yes. Like “regular” cheese, freezing vegan cheese is not associated with any health concerns, but you should be aware that the texture and flavor will be affected. That is why it is recommended to put the cheese in the freezer only if you plan to use it for cooking. Frozen and thawed cheese can easily be used in dishes where you need a cheese topping.

Read on to learn all about freezing vegan cheese, including the right types, thawing methods, and more.

Freezing Vegan Cheese: Right or Wrong?

As vegan diets increase, more questions related to vegan eating arise.

Years ago there were no decent alternatives to everyday dairy products. However, now the market is full of options that are just as good as their non-vegan “competitors”.

Who doesn’t love a little melted cheese on a slice of pizza? Or some creamy macaroni and cheese? Everybody likes it. And vegans too. But the difficulties with cheese of plant origin are real, since there are many unanswered questions about the analogues of “real” cheese.

Those who follow a plant-based diet do not have as wide a variety of cheese options as non-vegans. However, the most popular and beloved types of cheese, such as mozzarella, cheddar, Parmesan, and Gouda, have earned a special place in the marketplace . Vegan cream cheese is also an option if you want an easy dip for veggie sticks or chips.

As with cheese in general, not all types are suitable for freezing.  Each cheese has its properties and, therefore, can react differently when stored in the freezer.

How Freezing Affects Vegan Cheese

Freezing food is a good way to prevent products from spoiling. It prevents the growth of microorganisms in food and delays its deterioration. However, keep in mind that once food is placed in the freezer, the nutrients gradually die off, which is a natural process.

Changes in the texture and flavor of frozen and thawed cheese have more to do with the freezing process itself than with the type of cheese. 

When put in the freezer, ice forms on the cheese . Other than this, there is usually some moisture in vegan cheese which also turns to ice.

Once thawed, all the water melts, causing changes in texture and flavor. Thawed cheese may taste less rich than it did before you put it in the freezer.  As for texture, thawed vegan cheese tends to be more crumbly and grainy. 

What vegan cheeses can be frozen?

The most suitable cheeses for freezing are the hard types, such as vegan cheddar or Parmesan.  Semi-soft vegan mozzarella will also survive in the freezer. However, once thawed, the texture may become a bit mushy than it initially was.

Vegan ricotta, typically made from tofu, coconut, and some nuts, like cashews and almonds, can be frozen, contrary to the belief that soft cheeses don’t freeze well. Keep in mind that thawed ricotta will be best used as a pasta filling and not for a salad or spread on a slice of crusty toast. 

Vegan cream cheese is the least suitable for freezing . Although there are no health risks, the creamy texture is the one that suffers the most after thawing.

The only option that will make texture changes less noticeable is to use frozen cream cheese in cooked or baked goods.

Depending on the brand or recipe, vegan cream cheese can become too watery and grainy.

How long can vegan cheese be kept in the freezer?

The shelf life of different types of vegan cheeses is different.

Unopened store-bought vegan cheese can keep for up to 4 months and up to a week after opening. 

Homemade vegan cheese, on the other hand, will keep for 4-6 days in an airtight container . Although it is worth mentioning that some varieties, such as homemade Parmesan cheese, keep much longer in the refrigerator: 3 to 4 weeks.

Be sure to pay attention to the instructions. If the shelf life of the cheese in the fridge is long enough for you to enjoy it until the last moment, don’t put it in the freezer.

However, if you want to stock up on your favorite cheese, you can stick it in the freezer for about 6 months. Homemade vegan cheese can also be frozen, but its life in the freezer is shorter: about 3 months.

How to freeze vegan cheese

If you’re going to freeze your favorite vegan cheese, it’s best to follow a few simple rules to keep the cheese good while it’s in the freezer.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that the plastic bag in which you put the cheese must be as airtight as possible.

Once the products are placed in the freezer, they undergo chemical changes as a result of contact with air. This is why we often experience changes in the taste or smell of the product after it has spent some time in the freezer.

If you don’t want this to happen to your vegan cheese, place it in some wrapping paper and try to remove as much air as possible.  You can also use an airtight container.

When freezing vegan hard cheese, it is recommended to grate it before storing it in the freezer.  It will be easier to use grated cheese for cooking. Other than that, once thawed, vegan cheese can become crumbly and difficult to grate.

If you have done everything correctly, but despite this, the cheese does not look and smell good, it is better to avoid eating it.

Can the vegan cheese slices be frozen?

There is nothing wrong with freezing pre-sliced vegan cheese. What’s more, it will make your job easier. Sliced cheese will be very useful for making sandwiches and burgers. It can also be easily used on pizza.

How to defrost vegan cheese

If you have frozen vegan cheese and now you want to defrost it, you should know how to do it right to avoid texture and flavor changes as much as possible.

There are three ways to defrost vegan cheese, depending on how much time you have. You can defrost cheese

• in the fridge,
• on the counter,
• In the microwave.

Defrost vegan cheese in the fridge

Thawing cheese in the fridge once you’ve taken it out of the freezer is the best way to bring it back to life.  To do this, you must first inspect how well the cheese has been packaged. If the container is airtight, the cheese can still be safely consumed.

If the packaging is damaged and the cheese has been exposed to air while in the freezer, it may have picked up unwanted bacteria. Also, a damaged or half-open package can cause the cheese to absorb other odors.

To thaw vegan cheese in the fridge, place the cheese on a plate and let it thaw for 24-48 hours. While defrosting, leave the container on to avoid losing the moisture and flavor that the cheese had before you put it in the freezer.

Defrosting in the fridge is the best way to preserve the initial flavor and texture as much as possible.

Defrost vegan cheese on the counter

Thawing cheese on the counter requires the same steps as doing it in the fridge.  The only difference is that it defrosts in less time - 2-3 hours.

The time depends on the type of cheese. Harder cheeses usually take longer to thaw completely.

Defrost vegan cheese in the microwave

If you’re in a hurry and need to defrost that frozen vegan cheese in no time, your only option is the microwave.

Remove the container and put the cheese in the microwave for about 40 seconds. Use the lowest power setting so that the cheese thaws evenly.

Keep in mind that thawing vegan cheese in the microwave should be your last option, as it will alter the texture quite a bit.

Also, this way of defrosting is only suitable for hard cheeses, since the soft ones will melt on the outside and remain frosty on the inside.

Can thawed vegan cheese be refrozen?

Refreezing vegan cheese that has already thawed once is a bad idea. The texture and flavor will suffer greatly. In addition, there will hardly be any nutrients left in the cheese.

In fact, it is recommended to use thawed vegan cheese for cooking as soon as possible.