American cheese was developed in the early 1910s. It has a salty and creamy flavor and melts at lower temperatures than the traditional cheese. Colby or cheddar are the common cheeses processed to make American cheese.
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Can You Freeze American Cheese?
Yes. you can freeze American cheese. Wrap it using aluminum foil, wax, or plastic wrap and put it in an air-tight container, Ziploc bag, or freezer bag before putting it in the freezer. Frozen American cheese can be used for 6 to 8 months without losing most of its properties like texture and taste.
Step-By-Step Guide to Freeze American Cheese
Here is the step-by-step guide on how to freeze American cheese properly.
Step 1: Most manufacturers of American cheese sell them in a pre-wrapped pack that can be thrown straight into the freezer. If the sack is opened or not pre-wrapped, you have to slice the cheese into pieces.
Step 2: Use wax paper or plastic wrap to tightly wrap individual pieces of the American cheese. Ensure that no part of the cheese is exposed. If exposed, the cheese might suffer freezer burns or get contaminated due to the other items sitting in the freezer.
Step 3: Select a freezer-safe air-tight container that you can use to keep these pieces of wrapped American cheese. The container acts as a protective layer for your cheese while it sits in the freezer. Alternatively, you can also use a Ziploc or freezer-safe bag to keep these individual slices of cheese.
Step 4: In case if you are using a Ziploc or freezer-safe bag, you should ensure that it is sealed properly. American cheese can collect odor from other food items stored in the freezer. Therefore, it is vital to seal it appropriately.
Step 5: Remove any excess air from the Ziploc or freezer-safe bag. To do this, you can use a straw to suck out any air and leave no air pockets.
Step 6: Label the packed American cheese with the name and date you left it in the freezer. Labeling the items in the freezer would ensure that you do not use them beyond the use-by date.
Step 7: Once the container or bag is closed tight, you can leave the American cheese in the freezer for it to freeze.
Other Useful Tips
- American cheese can last more than six to eight months in the freezer. However, it is recommended that you do not freeze it for more than six to eight months. It ensures that no flavor or taste would be lost.
- Frozen American cheese tends to crumble in a frozen state. This brittleness is more than how the cheese was before you chose to freeze it.
- Packing the American cheese in usable portions is highly recommended. You only need to thaw the necessary amounts of cheese by doing this.
- Wrapping individual pieces of American cheese is crucial. It ensures that they can be separated with ease.
- In case of storing American cheese in a Ziploc or freezer-safe bag, you can choose to double wrap it for added protection.
- If you plan to use the purchased cheese within seven days, you would not require to freeze it.
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Is it Safe to Freeze American Cheese?
Yes. It is safe to freeze, store, and use American Cheese. This cheese in a frozen form can retain its originality, taste, flavor, and aroma for up to 6 months if packed properly. If you plan to use the purchased cheese within a few days, you do not have to freeze it.
Refrigerating the American cheese is sufficient if you want to store and use it for shorter durations. Even refrigeration requires you to keep the original package or wrapping for storage purposes.
How to Thaw Frozen American Cheese?
Now, the thawing of American cheese is relatively significant before you choose to use it. Refrigerated thawing is recommended to ensure that the process is smooth. If you do not have much time, you can also thaw it on the countertop.
However, the fastest option would be to microwave the cheese, and this defrosting or thawing process would only take a few minutes. So, here we list out the three methods in the order of the best thawing processes:
Method 1 – Refrigerated Thawing
Step 1: Remove the required amounts of frozen American cheese from the freezer.
Step 2: Place the portions to be thawed in a container. In case of any potential spillage during the thawing process, this container can collect it.
Step 3: Keep the container in the refrigerator and allow it to sit for 24 to 48 hours.
Step 4: Use a butter knife to cut through the middle of the American cheese portion to check if it is thawed. If the blade does not cut through smoothly, you might need to allow a few more hours in the refrigerator before using it.
Method 2 – Countertop Thawing
Step 1: Remove the required amounts of frozen American cheese from the freezer and place it in a vessel containing cold water.
Step 2: Allow the cheese to sit with the wrapping for a while before changing the water. You can continue to repeat the process, and the entire countertop thawing process may take anywhere between two to three hours.
Step 3: Once thawed, you can choose to towel dry the wrapped American cheese to remove excess water before unwrapping it. Alternatively, you can also use a paper towel to pat dry it.
Method 3 – Microwave Thawing
It is by far the fastest method to thaw American cheese. Keep in mind to select this method if you are in a hurry or do not have time to use other thawing procedures.
Step 1: Remove the required amounts of frozen American cheese.
Step 2: Unwrap the packaging or wrapping with which it was kept frozen and place it in a microwave-safe saucer, container, or vessel.
Step 3: Now, place this in the microwave and heat it for 30 to 45 seconds.
Step 4: Remove the cheese from the microwave and use a butter knife to cut the cheese. If the American cheese is still hard in the middle, you can repeat the process to thaw it properly.
Other Useful Tips:
- You can skip the process of thawing and cook the frozen American cheese if you are using a microwave or oven for cooking a specific dish.
- Reheating the American cheese is not required as you can cook the defrosted cheese directly.
- Thawed American cheese can be left in the refrigerator and used for up to 10 days without requiring it to be frozen again.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you freeze sliced American cheese?
Yes, you can freeze sliced American cheese with ease. Either use the original wrapping, plastic, wax, or aluminum foil to wrap the cheese before putting it away in the freezer. In the case of cheese singles, they can be directly thrown into the freezer in their original packaging.
Can you freeze white American cheese?
Yes, you can freeze white American cheese too. Wrapping the cheese without exposing any part of it is vital before putting it in the freezer for storage. Once covered, white American cheese can be left in the freezer for up to 6 months and used when needed.
Can you freeze Kraft American cheese slices?
Yes, kraft American cheese slices can be frozen. You would not require any special wrapping, and it can be frozen in the same package it came with. It can remain frozen for six months without losing its taste or flavor. In case if you intend to use it within a week of purchase, you can leave the kraft American cheese slices in the refrigerator in their original packaging.
Can you freeze processed American cheese?
Yes, you can freeze processed American cheese. It can be frozen in its original package, or you can wrap it before putting it in the freezer. Sealed packs of processed American cheese do not require wrapping as they can be stored as they were purchased.
Can you freeze land o lakes American cheese?
Yes, unopened land o lakes American cheese can be frozen in its original packaging. In the case of opened packs, you would have to wrap or double wrap it before putting it away in the freezer. It is recommended that you do not freeze this cheese for over six months. Even after this period, the cheese may remain edible but tends to lose most of its important properties.
Can you freeze yellow American cheese?
Yes, yellow American cheese can be frozen. Remember, this cheese is similar to the usual American cheese but is slightly different in color and flavor. Use the original packaging or wrap opened packs before putting them in the freezer.
Can you freeze American cheese from the deli?
Yes, American cheese from the deli can be frozen. This form is usually pasteurized processed cheese. However, the longer it stays in the freezer, the more it loses its original properties of this cheese.
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Conclusion
American cheese in most forms can be frozen with simple steps. It is important to note that the six to eight-month period before using frozen cheese retains its originality, and frozen cheese can last much longer and be edible to use.
Remember to label your cheese with dates and types before you freeze it. It would ensure that you do not use it past the use-by date. For shorter storage periods (less than a week), you can refrigerate the cheese.