Can I Freeze Cotija Cheese?

Can I Freeze Cotija Cheese?

While freezing Cotija cheese is possible, it is not recommended - for the sake of preserving the intended flavor and texture.

Freezing Cotija cheese can extend its shelf life by an additional 6-8 months, but the texture and flavor of the cheese can change significantly (i.e., it may become more crumbly but less firm) upon thawing, resulting in a less desirable eating experience.

Instead, if you have unused Cotija cheese, it's best to keep it well-wrapped in the refrigerator, as we'll discuss in the next section, to maintain its freshness for as long as possible.

Unique Tip: Grate Before Freezing

If you choose to freeze Cotija, to help minimize texture changes, you can try grating the Cotija cheese before freezing it.

The smaller, grated pieces may fare better during the freezing and thawing process, retaining more of their original crumbly texture.

Once thawed, it is best to use it in cooked dishes rather than as a standalone cheese, as the texture changes may be more noticeable.