Things to consider
- Freeze the products before the best-before date and use them within 24 hours of thawing
- Do not freeze for more than three months
- Always defrost the products slowly
- Freezing may affect how the products can be used
- Don’t forget to follow and align with your local food safety guidelines.
- The guide is also available as a PDF that you can download and print.
In addition to the tips below, you can also use crème fraiche, milk, cream, yoghurt and sour cream in warm baked goods such as sponge cake, pancakes and bread, which in turn can be frozen.
Which dairy products can you freeze?
Find out which dairy products freeze well — and which are best used before their best-before date.
Créme fraiche
Crème fraiche can be frozen as it is or used as a base in frozen desserts like mousse or parfait. When defrosted, crème fraiche loses its original texture. Use it in soups, sauces and stews that are blended before serving.
Cream
Fresh cream and cooking cream can be frozen as they are. Fresh cream can also be used as a base in frozen desserts like mousse or parfait. When defrosted, cream loses its original texture. Use it in soups, sauces and stews that are blended before serving.
Mozzarella
Semi firm cheese, such as mozzarella can be frozen. Thaw in the refrigerator and use as soon as possible. When frozen there can be some functionality impacts on the product, for example more browning or excessive water. Make sure the cheese is fully thawed before use, and use on dishes such as lasagne, pizza, garlic bread and cheesy side dishes.
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Hard cheese
Hard cheeses with high fat content, such as cheddar, can be frozen in pieces, slices or grated. Preferably use containers with airtight lids or freezer bags. Thaw in the refrigerator and use as soon as possible. Even blue cheeses (e.g. stilton) can be frozen. Thaw the cheese in the refrigerator and use it in cooking.
Arla Pro; made specifically for professional chefs & operators in mind. Arla Pro British Mature Cheddar Cheese Block made from 100% British milk offers a consistent, full flavoured and rish satisfying flavour, Ideal for slicing, grating, or melting, ...
Butter
Butter freezes well and can be used after the best-before date.
Arla Pro; made specifically with professional chefs & operators in mind. Made with 100% British milk & cream, this tasty butter is ideal for a variety of culinary applications including spreading, cooking and baking. Red Tractor certified and suitabl...
Milk
Milk can be frozen but loses its original texture when defrosted. Use it in soups, sauces and purees that are blended until smooth.
Cravendale is Britain's biggest milk brand and here at Cravendale we finely filter our milk for purity - so it's delicious and fresher for longer. 100% British semi skimmed milk filtered for freshness. We use ceramic filters to remove more of the bac...
Cream cheese
Cream cheese becomes grainy if frozen as it is. However, it works well for making cheesecakes, mousses and other desserts that can subsequently be frozen.
Arla Pro; made specifically with professional chefs & operators in mind. Indulge in the creamy goodness of Arla Pro Soft Cheese Reduced Fat (16%). Crafted with precision and made from cows milk, this reduced-fat soft cheese offers a velvety texture a...
Yoghurt
Yoghurt cannot be frozen as it becomes grainy and watery after thawing. However, it can be used as a base in frozen desserts like mousse or parfait.
These products are not ideal for freezing
Quark, cottage Cheese and white cheese (such as brie and feta) are less suitable for freezing, as they lose their original texture after thawing. They can become grainy and watery after being frozen and should therefore be used before the best-before date.
More tips for reducing waste
If you want to learn more about how you reduce food waste in the best way possible, we have collected more waste-reducing tips and actionable business initiatives that will help you get the most out of your produce. Read more about our war on food waste here.
Download the guide to freezing dairy products
Do you know how to freeze yoghurt correctly? Cream cheese? Find our complete guide on how to freeze the most used dairy products in the kitchen by clicking the link below.
