Cheddar Cheese: How Long Does It Last Outside?

Cheddar cheese is a staple in many households and is often the star of a party cheese board. But how long can it be left out of the fridge before it goes bad? The answer depends on several factors, including the type of cheese, how it's made, and how fresh it is. Hard cheeses like cheddar and Parmesan can last longer at room temperature than soft cheeses such as mozzarella or cream cheese due to their lower moisture content, which makes them less susceptible to bacterial growth. Generally, perishable foods like cheese should not be left out for more than two hours, but harder cheeses can be left out for up to four hours. However, it's important to check for signs of spoilage, such as an unpleasant smell, a slimy surface, dark spots, dryness, cracks, or mould. While leaving cheddar cheese out for extended periods may not always pose a health risk, it can affect its taste, quality, and texture.

Cheddar cheese can be left out of the fridge for up to four hours

Cheddar cheese is a semi-hard cheese that can be left out of the fridge for up to four hours. While it can be tempting to keep cheese out for longer, it is important to be mindful of food safety guidelines to ensure the cheese remains safe to eat.

Harder cheeses, like cheddar, have a lower moisture content, which makes them less susceptible to bacterial growth. This is why they can be left out of the fridge for longer than soft cheeses. However, it's important to note that the quality and taste of the cheese may change if left out for extended periods.

When leaving cheddar cheese out, it's crucial to maintain a safe room temperature. At higher temperatures, cheese will deteriorate faster and become unsafe to consume. Ideally, the room temperature should be at or below 70°F (21°C) to ensure the cheese remains in the safe zone.

If you accidentally leave your cheddar cheese out for longer than four hours, it's important to inspect it for any signs of spoilage. This includes checking for an unpleasant smell, a slimy surface, dark spots, dryness, cracks, or mould. If any of these signs are present, it's best to discard the cheese. However, if the cheese appears unchanged, you can rewrap it and put it back in the fridge for safekeeping.

To maximise the shelf life of cheddar cheese, proper storage is essential. Avoid wrapping the cheese too tightly, as this can reduce its quality and flavour. Instead, use parchment paper, cheesecloth, butcher paper, cheese storage bags, or beeswrap. Store the wrapped cheese in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator, where the temperature is cold and stable with consistent humidity.

Hard cheeses like cheddar have a lower moisture content, making them less susceptible to bacterial growth

The U.S. Department of Health recommends that perishable food should not be left out of the fridge for more than two hours. However, hard cheeses like cheddar can be left out for up to four hours without becoming unsafe. While the quality and taste may change, leaving hard cheeses out for extended periods will not usually result in a food safety issue.

The longer aging process of hard cheeses means they typically have a lower moisture content than softer cheeses. This lower moisture content makes it difficult for bacteria to flourish, giving hard cheeses a longer shelf life. Proper storage of hard cheeses, such as wrapping them loosely in breathable material and keeping them in an airtight container, can further extend their shelf life.

When it comes to determining if a hard cheese has gone bad, there are several signs to look out for. These include an unpleasant smell, a slimy surface, dark spots, dryness, cracks, or mold. If any of these signs are present, it is best to dispose of the cheese. However, if there is only a small amount of mold, it is generally safe to cut off the affected area and consume the rest of the cheese.

In summary, hard cheeses like cheddar have a lower moisture content, which makes them less susceptible to bacterial growth. This gives them a longer shelf life and makes them safer to consume, even when left out at room temperature for a few hours. However, it is still important to properly store and regularly inspect hard cheeses to ensure they remain in good condition.

It is safe to rewrap and refrigerate cheddar cheese left out for four hours or less

Cheddar cheese is a semi-hard cheese that has a lower moisture content than soft cheeses. This means that it can be left out at room temperature for longer than soft cheeses, without becoming unsafe to eat. However, the quality and taste may change if left out for extended periods.

The general food safety guideline is that perishable food should not be left out of the refrigerator for more than two hours. However, this guideline varies for different types of cheese. Soft cheeses with high moisture content, such as cottage cheese, cream cheese, and mozzarella, should be discarded if left unrefrigerated beyond this time.

On the other hand, harder cheeses like cheddar can be left out at room temperature for up to four hours and still be safe to rewrap and refrigerate. This is because they have a lower moisture content, which makes them less susceptible to bacterial growth. After four hours, it is important to check for signs of spoilage, such as a bad smell, a slimy surface, dark spots, dryness, cracks, or mould. If the cheese shows any of these signs, it should be discarded.

It is worth noting that the quality and taste of cheddar cheese may start to deteriorate if left out for longer than two hours, even if it is still safe to consume. Therefore, it is generally recommended to store cheese in the refrigerator, wrapped in parchment paper, cheesecloth, butcher paper, or cheese storage bags, to maintain its freshness and flavour.

Cheddar cheese will likely not have a lot of bacterial growth after eight hours, but it won't be appealing to eat

Cheddar cheese is a semi-hard cheese, which means it has a lower moisture content than soft cheeses, ranging from 49-69%. This means that it can be left out at room temperature for longer than soft cheeses. Soft cheeses like cottage cheese, cream cheese, brie, or fresh mozzarella have a higher moisture content, creating more opportunities for bacteria to grow, and so they are more perishable and susceptible to spoilage.

The U.S. Department of Health advises that perishable food should not be left out of the fridge for more than two hours. However, this can vary depending on the type of cheese. Hard cheeses like Parmesan, for example, can be left out for up to 24 hours and still be safe to eat.

Adam Brock, director of food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance at Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, states that cheese should only be kept out for four hours to keep yourself safe from bacterial growth or spoilage. After eight hours, cheddar cheese will likely not have a lot of bacterial growth, but it won't be appealing to eat.

The quality of cheese can deteriorate after being left out for an extended period. Cheese will dry out when exposed to open air, especially in a warmer room, and start to look crusty and crumbly. It may also begin to glisten, which is a sign that it should be put back in the fridge or tossed out.

Therefore, while it is unlikely that there will be significant bacterial growth on cheddar cheese after eight hours, it is not recommended for consumption due to the decline in quality and taste.

If the cheese has dried out, it can be wrapped in foil and frozen for later use in recipes

Cheddar cheese is a semi-hard cheese that can be left out at room temperature for up to four hours, according to the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin. However, it is recommended to check for signs of spoilage after two hours. If the cheese has been sitting out for four hours or less, you can rewrap it and put it back in the fridge. If it has been out for longer, look for signs of spoilage and discard the cheese if any are present.

If your cheese has dried out, it can be wrapped in foil and frozen for later use in recipes. While freezing cheese is not recommended, as it can negatively affect the texture and flavour, dried-out cheddar can be successfully frozen for later use in cooking.

To wrap your cheese for freezing, you can use foil, or first wrap it in parchment or wax paper, then tuck it into a loosely sealed container or plastic bag. Reusable beeswax wraps are also effective. You can also use specialty cheese paper, which is ideal for wrapping all types of cheese except for fresh cheeses like ricotta, feta, and mozzarella. This paper allows the cheese to breathe without drying out.

When storing cheese in the refrigerator, it is best to place it in the vegetable or produce drawer, where the temperature is colder and more stable.

Frequently asked questions