Can You Freeze Pimento Cheese?

Last updated on August 11th, 2022 at 10:21 am

The Southern delicacy of pimento cheese is a creamy cheese with some spiciness. If you love to top your sandwiches with this spread then you probably end up with leftovers. 

But not wanting to waste any of it, you wonder, can you freeze pimento cheese to save it for later?

You can freeze pimento cheese but it isn’t really recommended.  This is because the spread’s texture won’t be the same after it has been frozen. But, if you want to freeze pimento cheese, it may best when mixed into a recipe or blended really well.

Pimento cheese is a Southern food used to top many different foods and recipes. Made of a blend of cheeses, mayo or salad dressing, and spices, pimento cheese can also feature minced or pickled onion, jalapenos, green chilis, or chopped pickles. A splash of Worcestershire sauce could also be added as well as its namesake red chopped pimento peppers to complete this delicious delicacy. 

Pimento cheese can be slathered on some crackers or gingersnaps or even put in between pieces of bread for a sandwich. This spread is versatile and can be used in ways similar to other spreads. 

You can give burgers or chicken sandwiches some flavor by adding this cheese or dip fresh veggies, pretzel, and even pita chips in it for a snack. Pimento cheese tastes cheesy, creamy, and spicy. This dip can also be store bought or homemade. 

Pimento cheese is easy to make and can be used as an appetizer or dip for special gatherings. If you want to save any of the leftover dip for later, you can freeze it. Freezing preserves food for wherever you want to use it later. 

But, you should know that pimento cheese doesn’t really freeze well. So, it is recommended not to freeze pimento cheese although if you want to, you can.

Can You Freeze Store Bought / Homemade Pimento Cheese?

You can purchase pimento cheese spread in your local grocery store, or you can make it at home. If this is a go-to appetizer spread for your family, you probably end up with some leftovers. 

If you want to save it, can you freeze the store bought or homemade pimento cheese?

You can freeze store-bought or homemade pimento cheese but it isn’t recommended since the spread’s texture will be greatly affected by the freezing process. But, if you choose to freeze pimento cheese, be sure to do so properly.

Freezing food is a great way to preserve it for later use. By freezing food, you can keep it for long past its expiration date. This is because the freezing process slows down oxidation which makes food go bad. When you slow this down, you can keep food good for longer. 

There are many foods that can be frozen and some that can’t be frozen. Food that contains mayo doesn’t always freeze well. The mayo in the food separates from the other ingredients during the freezing process resulting in a change in the food’s texture. 

Food that was once creamy will become more runny. Pimento cheese contains mayo and so this is one of the problems with freezing it. 

However, if you store it properly, and don’t mind blending it up really well later or mixing it into a recipe whenever you want to use it, then you can freeze pimento cheese. 

To freeze pimento cheese, you will want to put the spread into an airtight container or a heavy duty freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible and then seal it up. Then label the container or bag with the current date so you know when you put it in the freezer and when you should eat it. 

Then your pimento cheese is now ready to be stored in the freezer. Whether you have store bought or homemade pimento cheese, you can use these steps to properly freeze it.

How Long Can You Freeze Pimento Cheese?

In the refrigerator, pimento cheese lasts for about 2 week if it is stored probably in an airtight container. But, you can keep this yummy spread for longer by freezing it. 

So, how long can you freeze pimento cheese for?

Pimento cheese only lasts for a few months in the freezer. If stored properly, you can freeze pimento cheese for up to 3 months. Remember that pimento cheese contains mayo, so it may not freeze well because mayo separates when frozen.

Since this cheese spread contains mayo, it won’t freeze too well. Mayonnaise tends to separate from the other foods it is with when it is frozen. However, you can still freeze pimento cheese if you choose. When you go to use it in a couple weeks don’t be surprised to see that the texture has changed after it is thawed. 

This most likely will be the case. 

If you want to use it as a dip then you will need to blend it up really well, otherwise just mix it into a recipe. It will still taste good when fixed this way. 

Pimento cheese only lasts for about 2 weeks in the fridge and if you want to save it for longer, you can try freezing it. You can freeze pimento cheese although because of its texture change when it is frozen, it isn’t really recommended since the mayo in the cheese spread doesn’t freeze well. 

It is best to just store pimento cheese in the fridge and use the cheese spread by its expiration date. But, if you do decide to freeze pimento cheese, it can only be frozen for up to 3 months.

Final Thoughts

You can freeze pimento cheese, but it isn’t recommended. This is because pimento cheese contains mayo which doesn’t freeze well. But, if you want to freeze the spread, then be sure to store it properly and it will last for up to 3 months in the freezer. 

Freezing is a great way to preserve food for future use. When you go to use the cheese, you will get best results by blending it really well or mixing it into a recipe. So, while it isn’t recommended since it will affect its texture, you can freeze pimento cheese to save it for later.