Can You Freeze Labneh? – Easy Guide on Freezing Labneh – How to Defrost Labneh?

Can You Freeze Labneh?: If you belong to Middle Eastern Nations or love trying new exotic cuisines, then there is no way that you would not have heard of this easy-going dessert, known as Labneh. It is prepared by thoroughly sieving the greek yogurt and then whisking it for a long time in order to improve its texture. It is served with various flavors and fruits, thereby making it healthier.

Bought too many pots of labneh and now worried about storing them. Prepared an extensive breakfast using labneh and are now worried about preserving the leftovers? If you are stuck in any tricky situations, this article is for you. In this piece, we will be telling you everything you need to know about storing labneh in the freezer, thawing, and refreezing it eventually. So grab that cup of labneh and read through.

• Can You Freeze Labneh?
• How To Freeze Labneh?
• How Long Does Frozen Labneh Last?
• Is It Okay To Refrigerate Labneh?
• Extra Pointers Related To Freezing Labneh
• Does Labneh Freeze Well?
• How To Refreeze Labneh?
• FAQs On Can You Freeze Labneh
• Can you freeze shop-bought labneh?
• Why should you not freeze labneh?
• How to store homemade labneh?

Can You Freeze Labneh?

Absolutely! You can freeze the labneh simply by pouring it into an airtight container and then leaving it in your freezer. Since labneh is basically a dairy product, it is highly sensitive to its environment and tends to go bad pretty fast.

So, you must ensure that the lid of the container is sealed properly and a foil has been wrapped around the whole pot. This prevents labneh from picking up smells from other items present in the freezer. Moreover, it also maintains the texture and taste profiles of this dessert.

How To Freeze Labneh?

Now we must talk about the most important part of storing labneh i.e. freezing. If you have some leftover labneh or bought a little too many cups of it, then freezing them is your only option. In this section, we will be explaining to you everything you need to know about freezing labneh.

• If you have not opened a single cup, then you can safely put them away in the freezer till their due expiry dates.
• In contrast, if you have already opened the packaging, then pour the remaining labneh into another airtight container and cover it completely. Now, place it in the coldest part of your freezer away from other items.
• Lastly, if you have prepared labneh at home or bought an item containing labneh, then you must immediately put it in the freezer so that it does not go bad. Due to the lack of preservatives, homemade dairy products tend to get spoiled fast.

How Long Does Frozen Labneh Last?

Frozen labneh can last up to 3 months if it contains some preservatives and has been sealed properly inside the freezer. On the other hand, if you have already opened the pot of labneh, then it will probably last a little less than 2.5 months, even in the freezer. Lastly, if you plan to use homemade labneh, then it will last the least i.e. up to 2 months in the freezer due to lack of any artificial preservatives.

A complete table of the estimated shelf lives of frozen labneh is given below for your reference.

‘-’ means that labneh is not meant to be stored there.

Is It Okay To Refrigerate Labneh?

Technically speaking, Yes! You can safely refrigerate the labneh if you plan on using it within a few days. However, if it is a homemade labneh that does not have any preservatives or you have already opened the labneh cup, then it is advisable that you store it in the freezer only. Refrigerating such types of labneh might lead to deterioration in them as they are dairy products and can split easily. Moreover, refrigeration cannot preserve the original texture of the labneh.

Find Out:

• Can you Freeze Clotted Cream
• Can you Freeze Almond Milk

Extra Pointers Related To Freezing Labneh

Apart from the basic methods that can be adopted for freezing of labneh, you must also keep in mind a few important points related to frozen labneh.

1. At times, you can directly consume frozen labneh as it will taste better that way. Thawing it may severely alter its texture, thereby reducing its savory appeal.
2. When you have frozen labneh, make sure that you label all your pots with the date of expiration so you don’t end up consuming bad labneh.
3. Just to be sure, wrap the labneh pots with another layer of plastic foil, as it prevents any moisture from entering this dessert.
4. Lastly, if possible, try to keep labneh pots a little away from the other products in the freezer as it tends to pick up aromas very fast.

Does Labneh Freeze Well?

Honestly speaking, NO! Labneh does not freeze well because ultimately it is a dairy product and such products tend to split and turn sour super easily. However, this must not deter you from storing your labneh in the freezer because if done precisely, they will last up to 3 months.

All you need to do is make sure that your pots are adequately sealed and placed in a secluded, cold area of the freezer. For extra safety, you can also wrap a thin foil or plastic paper around the whole pot.

Willing to know more about dairy products and especially about Creme Fraiche follow our quick blog on Can you Freeze Creme Fraiche and know the entire freezing process clearly.

How To Refreeze Labneh?

If you have some leftover labneh, then it is natural to consider refreezing it. However, we would suggest against this as labneh particularly does not freeze well. Since it is a dairy product, it tends to split up and turn sour fast when frozen, thawed, and refrozen.

Moreover, in the meantime when you thaw and refreeze the labneh, you might expose it to harmful pathogens from the atmosphere. This will severely exacerbate the spoilage chances in your labneh. Hence, avoid refreezing it. However, if you wish to go with it, then you may cover it back with a lid and leave in the freezer as soon as possible.

FAQs On Can You Freeze Labneh

1. Can you freeze shop-bought labneh?

Absolutely! You can freeze any type of labneh in the freezer, even the shop-bought one. All you need to do is pour it in another airtight container and seal it properly. Now just store it in the freezer. However, if you have not popped open any of the cups, then you can directly put away labneh cups too in the freezer.

2. Why should you not freeze labneh?

Labneh is a dairy product, hence perishable and prone to early deterioration. Although freezing is the suggested option to preserve such fragile products, freezing dairy products can be a little tricky. This is because they might lose their original texture and become clumpy. Moreover, after freezing, you may have to thaw or refreeze those products which might lead to splitting.

3. How to store homemade labneh?

Labneh can be easily prepared at home by sieving greek yogurt thoroughly followed by a little bit of whisking for good consistency. If you have prepared homemade labneh, then you can simply fill a pot with it and cover it tightly. Afterward, just put this pot away in the freezer and use it in manageable proportions so there are no leftovers.

Final Thoughts

Labneh is a yummy and healthy dessert that can be a part of the diet regime of many. This middle eastern dish can be easily paired with a variety of french bread and can be served accordingly for breakfast. However, given that it is a perishable dairy product, there is a very high chance that it will deteriorate fast.

So, you must freeze it in the freezer so that it can be preserved for a long, thereby allowing you to eat clean and fresh labneh. For more such fun and informative articles like Can you Freeze Yoghurt and about your favorite food items and beverages, check out the website.