Andy Montoya
Blue cheese is a beloved ingredient in many dishes, but how long does it last in the fridge once opened? The shelf life of blue cheese depends on various factors, such as the type of cheese, storage methods, temperature, and humidity. Properly stored blue cheese can last for several weeks to months in the refrigerator. It's important to inspect the cheese for any signs of spoilage, such as discolouration, slime, or fuzzy mould, and use your best judgment when deciding whether to consume it. Freezing blue cheese is also an option to extend its shelf life, but it may affect the texture and flavour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shelf life in the refrigerator | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Refrigerator temperature | Not above 40°F |
| Refrigerator placement | Bottom shelf |
| Packaging | Tightly sealed |
| Packaging material | Plastic wrap, aluminium foil, wax paper, parchment paper |
| Indefinite preservation | Freeze at 0°F |
| Best freezer quality | Up to 6 months |
| Blue cheese crumbles | 5 to 7 days |
| Blue cheese with mould | Cut 1 inch around and below the mouldy area |
| Blue cheese with discolouration, sliminess, or fuzziness | Throw away |
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What You'll Learn
Blue cheese storage
Blue cheese can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, and the method of storage depends on whether the cheese is crumbled, sliced, shredded, or in a wedge.
If you have blue cheese crumbles, to maximize their shelf life after opening, keep the package tightly sealed. Properly stored, an opened package of blue cheese crumbles will last for about 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator. Once the package is opened, consume or freeze the blue cheese crumbles within this time frame, even if the "Best By," "Best if Used By," or "Use By" date has not yet been reached. Bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F; therefore, blue cheese crumbles should be discarded if left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
To further extend the shelf life of opened blue cheese crumbles, you can freeze them. When freezing, place the blue cheese crumbles in the freezer before the number of days shown for refrigerator storage has elapsed. Frozen blue cheese may lose some of its texture and flavor; the thawed cheese will be best suited to cooked dishes, such as sauces, soups, and casseroles.
If you have a wedge of blue cheese, to maximize its shelf life after opening, wrap the original packaging tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. For even better results, wrap the cheese first in wax or parchment paper and then cover it with plastic wrap before refrigerating. Properly stored, a wedge of blue cheese will last for about 1 to 2 months in the refrigerator. If the wedge of blue cheese has mold on it, cut away at least 1 inch around and below the moldy area (without touching the mold with the knife) and re-cover the cheese in fresh wrap. Note that if mold appears in a package of shredded, sliced, or crumbled blue cheese, the entire package should be discarded.
To store blue cheese in the freezer, it needs to be wrapped properly to ensure that it will stay fresh as long as possible. First, wrap the cheese in wax or parchment paper, and then place plastic wrap or foil over the paper to ensure that it won't dry out. If you are freezing the cheese, place the double-wrapped piece into a plastic freezer bag to protect it from freezer burn. If you're concerned about the cheese picking up the scent or flavors of other items inside your refrigerator, you may want to place it in an airtight container after it's been wrapped for additional protection. Properly stored, blue cheese will maintain its best quality for about 6 months in the freezer, but it will remain safe beyond that time. A wedge of blue cheese that has been defrosted in the fridge can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator before using, whereas a wedge that was thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be used immediately. Frozen cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavor; the thawed wedge of blue cheese will be best suited to cooked dishes, such as sauces, soups, and casseroles.
To ensure your blue cheese stays fresh for as long as possible, make sure your refrigerator temperature isn't set above 40 °F. The colder the blue cheese is, the longer it will stay fresh. Because the lower section of the fridge is usually the coldest, you want to make sure to keep it on the bottom shelf to preserve it for as long as possible. If your refrigerator has drawers at the bottom, that's an ideal place to store blue cheese because they likely won't be opened every time you look in the fridge, so the temperature will remain stable.
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How to tell if blue cheese has gone bad
Blue cheese is a notoriously pungent and mouldy cheese, so it can be tricky to tell if it has gone bad. The best way to tell is to use your senses to look, smell, and taste the cheese.
Appearance
Blue cheese is usually spotted with blue-green mould and has a white or cream-coloured base. If the mould or the cheese itself starts to turn a different colour, such as black, grey, pink, or yellow, it has gone bad. It is also time to discard your blue cheese if it becomes slimy or develops a fuzzy exterior mould. If the cheese appears overly dry and hard, or if there is moisture build-up within the wrapping or container, these are also signs that your blue cheese has gone bad.
Smell
Blue cheese has a strong smell, but if it smells unusual or develops an off-odour, it should be discarded.
Taste
If there is no change in appearance or texture, you may opt to taste a small piece of the cheese. If it tastes unpleasant, discard the cheese.
Storage
Properly stored, an opened package of blue cheese will last for about one to two months in the refrigerator. To maximise its shelf life, wrap the cheese in wax or parchment paper and then cover it with plastic wrap or aluminium foil. Place the wrapped cheese in an airtight container to prevent the mould from dying and changing colour due to improper ventilation.
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Blue cheese shelf life
Blue cheese is a semi-hard cheese that can last for several weeks in the refrigerator. Its shelf life depends on how it is stored, the humidity, and the temperature.
Unopened Blue Cheese
Blue cheese that is unopened can have a shelf life of several months when refrigerated properly. The colder the blue cheese is kept, the longer it will stay fresh. Therefore, it is best to store it on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, ideally in a drawer, where the temperature will remain stable.
Opened Blue Cheese
Once opened, blue cheese should be consumed within one to two months. To maximise its shelf life, the original packaging should be tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. For even better results, wrap the cheese first in wax or parchment paper and then cover it with plastic wrap before refrigerating.
If only a portion of the cheese appears discoloured, slimy, or fuzzy, do not cut off that section and eat the rest. It is best to throw away the entire piece because bacteria or mould may still be present.
Blue Cheese Crumbles
Opened blue cheese crumbles will last for about five to seven days in the refrigerator. After this time, consume or freeze the blue cheese crumbles within the time shown for refrigeration, even if the "Best By," "Best if Used By," or "Use By" date has not yet been reached.
Frozen Blue Cheese
Blue cheese can be frozen to extend its shelf life. When properly stored, it will maintain its best quality for about six months but will remain safe to eat beyond that time. Frozen blue cheese may lose some of its texture and flavour, and the thawed cheese will be best suited to cooked dishes such as sauces, soups, and casseroles.
Signs of Spoilage
The best way to tell if blue cheese has gone bad is to smell and look at it. If the cheese develops an off odour, flavour, or appearance, it should be discarded. If mould appears, discard all of the blue cheese crumbles.
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Freezing blue cheese
Blue cheese is a divisive food—some people love its sharp, salty taste and pungent smell, while others dislike its overpowering aroma and piquant flavor. If you're a fan of blue cheese, you may occasionally find yourself with more than you can eat before it goes bad. Freezing is a great option to preserve this strong-smelling delicacy for later use.
Properly stored, blue cheese will maintain its best quality for about six months in the freezer, but it will remain safe to eat beyond that time. Blue cheese that has been constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely. After six to eight months of freezing, the flavor and texture of the frozen blue cheese will start to be affected, and it won't be at its finest.
It's important to note that you should not freeze blue cheese if it has passed its best-before date. Normally, mold is a good indicator that cheese has gone bad, but blue cheese is moldy even when it's good! Instead, use the smell to determine if it's gone bad—the ammonia-like smell will become stronger when it starts to go bad. Also, keep an eye on the creamy part of the cheese. If it's still white or slightly off-white, it's still good. When it starts to turn green or brown, it's time to discard it.
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Blue cheese mould
Blue cheese is a semi-hard cheese with a long shelf life. When unopened and stored properly in the refrigerator, blue cheese can last several months. Once opened, a wedge of blue cheese will typically last between one to two months in the refrigerator. To maximise its shelf life, wrap the cheese tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. For better protection, wrap the cheese first in wax or parchment paper and then cover it with plastic wrap before refrigerating.
Blue cheese crumbles, on the other hand, will only last about five to seven days in the refrigerator after opening. To maximise their shelf life, ensure the package is tightly sealed. If you want to keep blue cheese crumbles for longer, you can freeze them. When freezing, place the crumbles in the freezer before the number of days shown for refrigerator storage has elapsed.
Blue cheese does not get more acidic over time. Instead, the blue mould produces ammonia, which reduces the acidity. Once the acidity is low enough, other things can start to grow on the cheese, causing it to spoil. Therefore, it is important to check for signs of spoilage before consuming blue cheese. If the cheese develops an off odour, flavour or appearance, it should be discarded. If there is mould on the cheese, cut away at least one inch around and below the mouldy area and re-cover the cheese in fresh wrap. However, if mould appears in a package of shredded, sliced or crumbled blue cheese, the entire package should be discarded.
It is also important to note that blue cheese should be stored in the coldest part of the refrigerator, such as the bottom shelf or drawers, to preserve it for as long as possible. Additionally, the refrigerator temperature should not be set above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If stored at room temperature, blue cheese should be discarded if left out for more than two hours as bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F.
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Frequently asked questions
Blue cheese can last for about 1 to 2 months in the refrigerator.
To extend the shelf life of blue cheese, wrap the original packaging tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. For better results, wrap the cheese first in wax or parchment paper and then cover it with plastic wrap before refrigerating.
Blue cheese can be considered spoiled if it develops an off odour, flavour or appearance. If there is mould on the cheese, it is recommended to discard it.
Bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F. Blue cheese should be discarded if left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
Unopened blue cheese can last for several months if refrigerated properly.
