Deli Cheese: How Long Does Freshness Last In The Fridge?

Deli cheese is a versatile and tasty treat, but it's important to know how long it stays fresh in the refrigerator. The shelf life of deli cheese depends on various factors, such as the type of cheese, moisture content, and storage method. Proper storage is crucial to ensure the cheese stays edible and tasty for as long as possible.

Sliced American deli cheese can be kept in the freezer for 8 months

Sliced American deli cheese is a popular dairy product that can be kept in the refrigerator for a few weeks to several months, depending on how it is stored. To maximize the shelf life of sliced American deli cheese, it is recommended to keep it in its original store packaging and refrigerate it at all times. Once the package is opened, the cheese should be consumed within 5-7 days.

To further extend the shelf life of sliced American deli cheese, it can be frozen. When freezing, it is important to place the cheese in the freezer before the number of days shown for refrigerator storage has elapsed. The cheese can be wrapped tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or placed in heavy-duty freezer bags. Properly stored, sliced American deli cheese will maintain its best quality for about 8 months in the freezer, but it will remain safe to consume beyond that time.

It is important to note that frozen cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavor. Therefore, it is best suited for cooked dishes, such as sauces, soups, and casseroles. After being frozen and thawed, sliced American deli cheese can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.

To determine if sliced American deli cheese has gone bad, it is recommended to smell and examine its appearance. If the cheese develops an off odor, flavor, or appearance, it should be discarded. Additionally, if mold appears, all of the sliced cheese should be discarded.

Soft cheeses will last about a week in the fridge

Soft cheeses, such as ricotta, feta, and mozzarella, have a high moisture content, which makes them more perishable than harder cheeses. In general, soft cheeses will last about a week in the fridge, but their quality and taste will be at their best before that time is up.

Soft cheeses have a short shelf life, so proper storage is key to making the most of the product. For cheese sold in brine, like feta or fresh mozzarella, keep it in the liquid and ensure the container's lid is secure. For blue cheese, you can wrap it in foil. Soft-ripened cheese, like Brie, has a delicate rind, so it needs more care than other soft cheeses. Wrapping it in cheese paper is best, but you can also use parchment paper and keep it in an airtight container.

A wedge of cheese starts to decline the moment it's cut off the wheel, and no cheese will improve in flavour in the fridge. So, it's best to only buy cheese for the week ahead.

To ensure your cheese lasts as long as possible, it's important to store it correctly. Keep it in the centre of your refrigerator, at a temperature below 40°F (4°C). Avoid wrapping cheese in tight, non-porous material like plastic wrap, as this can dry it out and harden it. Instead, wrap blocks of cheese (or other types that don’t come in resealable packaging) in wax, parchment, or cheese paper.

Semi-hard cheeses will last two to three weeks

Semi-hard cheeses, such as cheddar, Gruyère, Comté, aged Manchego, and Monterey Jack, will last two to three weeks in the refrigerator. These semi-hard cheeses contain less moisture than soft cheeses, which makes them less perishable.

To ensure your semi-hard cheese lasts a full two to three weeks, follow these steps for proper storage:

• Remove the cheese from its plastic packaging.
• Wrap it loosely in a pliable yet breathable material, such as wax paper or cheese paper.
• Put the cheese in a container with an airtight lid.

It is worth noting that the shelf life of cheese is dependent on its moisture content and storage method. Proper storage allows the cheese to "breathe" and release moisture while protecting it from low humidity in the fridge.

Additionally, the "sell-by" date on the package may expire during the two to three weeks of refrigeration, but the cheese will remain safe to consume if it has been properly stored.

Hard cheeses can be kept in the fridge for about four weeks

Hard cheeses, such as cheddar, Parmesan, or Gouda, can be kept in the fridge for about four weeks. They can even be left out of the fridge for up to four hours and still be safe to consume, though their quality and taste may change.

Hard cheeses last longer than soft cheeses because they have a lower moisture content, which makes them less prone to spoilage from bacteria. They also undergo a longer aging process, which results in a crumbly texture. During the cheesemaking process, most of the whey is removed from the curds, and the cheese is then brined or waxed and aged for two to 36 months, or sometimes longer.

To ensure that hard cheeses last as long as possible, it is important to store them correctly. This involves removing the cheese from its plastic packaging and wrapping it loosely in cheese paper or wax paper. Then, place the cheese in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.

It is also worth noting that hard cheeses do not need to be refrigerated if they are unopened. However, they will last much longer if they are stored in the fridge, with an unopened block of hard cheese lasting up to six months.

How to identify if deli cheese has gone bad

Deli cheese can be kept in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks after it is purchased, and it may be frozen to extend its shelf life. However, it is important to identify whether your deli cheese has gone bad. Here are some ways to determine if deli cheese has gone bad:

Appearance

If your cheese is covered in a thick layer of mold, it is best to discard it. Small amounts of surface mold are normal, and you can trim about 1/4 inch off the side that is growing mold. If the area below the mold is clean and the cheese exhibits no other signs of spoilage, it is likely safe to consume. Changes in colour, such as fading or darkening, can also indicate that the cheese has gone bad. Additionally, look out for any sliminess, oil, or bloated packaging.

Smell

Smelling your cheese when you first purchase it will give you a baseline for how it should normally smell. If it develops an "off" odour, such as spoiled milk, ammonia, or a refrigerator-like scent, it has likely gone bad. Mild cheeses like Monterey Jack or American cheese will take on the smell of stronger cheeses like blue cheese or Limburger when they spoil. Naturally pungent cheeses like blue cheese or Camembert will have a strong ammonia smell when they go bad.

Taste

As a last resort, you can try tasting a small piece of the cheese to determine if it has gone bad. If it tastes sour or has an unpleasant aftertaste, it is likely spoiled.

Other factors

The type of cheese, storage conditions, and temperature can all impact how long deli cheese stays fresh. Soft cheeses like cottage cheese or cream cheese tend to spoil more quickly than hard cheeses. Deli cheese should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature below 40°F (4°C) and wrapped in porous material like wax or parchment paper to maintain its moisture.

Frequently asked questions