Jarlsburg Cheese Dip: How Long Does It Last?

A creamy, distinctive dip, the Jarlsberg cheese dip is a favourite at grocery stores and is surprisingly simple to replicate in your home kitchen. It is made with Jarlsberg, a wonderfully rich cheese that traces its roots to mid-20th-century Norway. Combining old-school methods with modern technology, it’s a relative of other semi-firm European cheeses like Emmentaler and Swiss. But how long does it last in the refrigerator?

The dip will last for about a week in the fridge

If you're a cheese lover, you'll be pleased to know that your Jarlsberg cheese dip will last for about a week in the fridge. This is a perfect make-ahead option for parties or other events, and it's also great for those who like to keep their favourite spreads around the house for quick snacks. Plus, you can feel good about the lack of additives or preservatives.

To store your cheese dip, simply keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. It's best to serve it cold straight from the refrigerator, but you can also let it come to room temperature before serving. Just be sure to discard any leftovers that have been left out at room temperature for more than two hours.

The key to maximising the shelf life of your cheese dip is proper storage. Always keep it refrigerated and well-covered to ensure it stays fresh for up to a week. This way, you can enjoy your delicious and versatile dip for longer.

In addition to its longevity, the dip's versatility is another advantage. It pairs well with a variety of dippable snacks, such as crisp crackers, thick-cut potato chips, tortilla chips, pretzels, and more. For a low-carb or keto-friendly option, you can swap out the carbs for fresh vegetables like peppers, carrots, broccoli, or cauliflower.

So, whether you're hosting a gathering or simply enjoying a snack at home, the Jarlsberg cheese dip is a tasty and convenient option that will last you throughout the week.

It shouldn't be frozen

While freezing Jarlsberg cheese dip is an option to extend its shelf life, it is not recommended. Freezing can negatively affect the flavour and texture of the dip. The dip contains mayonnaise, which can break down when it thaws, causing the dip to separate and curdle. As the dip is simple and quick to make, it is more practical to make smaller batches more frequently to ensure freshness.

Jarlsberg cheese should always be kept refrigerated

Jarlsberg cheese is a rich, mild, and nutty semi-firm cheese that originated in Norway. It is a versatile cheese that can be enjoyed on its own or as an ingredient in various dishes, such as sauces, soups, and casseroles. To ensure that you can always enjoy Jarlsberg cheese at its best, it is important to follow proper storage practices, which includes keeping it refrigerated at all times.

When storing Jarlsberg cheese, the temperature of your refrigerator should be maintained at 40 °F or below. This temperature range will help inhibit the growth of bacteria and prevent spoilage. Additionally, it is recommended to store the cheese in its original packaging or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, aluminum foil, or wax paper before placing it in the refrigerator. Proper storage will help extend the shelf life of the cheese, ensuring that you can enjoy its delicious flavour and texture for longer.

For sliced Jarlsberg cheese purchased from a deli, it is important to note that the "sell-by" date on the package is not indicative of how long the cheese will remain safe to consume. As long as the cheese has been properly stored in the refrigerator, it will typically remain safe to consume for 3 to 4 weeks even if the "sell-by" date has passed. This extended shelf life is also applicable to opened chunks or blocks of Jarlsberg cheese.

In addition to proper refrigeration, it is crucial to follow food safety practices when handling Jarlsberg cheese. Bacteria can grow rapidly when the cheese is left at room temperature for extended periods. Therefore, it is recommended to keep the cheese refrigerated at all times and to avoid leaving it out at room temperature for more than two hours. By adhering to these storage and food safety guidelines, you can help ensure that your Jarlsberg cheese remains safe and enjoyable to consume.

Furthermore, if you wish to extend the shelf life of Jarlsberg cheese beyond its recommended refrigerator storage, freezing is an option. To freeze the cheese, wrap it tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place it in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen Jarlsberg cheese will maintain its best quality for about 6 to 8 months but will remain safe to consume even beyond that timeframe if stored at a constant temperature of 0 °F. However, it is important to note that freezing may affect the texture and flavour of the cheese, making it more suitable for cooked dishes.

An opened chunk of Jarlsberg cheese will last 3-4 weeks in the fridge

If you want to extend its shelf life even further, you can freeze the cheese. To do this, cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each, and wrap them tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place them inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Jarlsberg cheese that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will remain safe to eat indefinitely.

However, it is important to note that frozen cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavour. Therefore, it is best suited for cooked dishes, such as sauces, soups, and casseroles.

To determine if an opened chunk of Jarlsberg cheese has gone bad, check for the following signs: a very hard texture, a darkening in colour, a strong smell, and the appearance of mould. If mould appears, cut away at least 1 inch around and below the mouldy area (without touching the mould with the knife) and re-cover the cheese in fresh wrap.

To extend its shelf life, wrap the cheese in wax paper and then plastic wrap

To extend the shelf life of a chunk of Jarlsberg cheese, it is recommended that you wrap the original packaging tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. For even better results, you can wrap the cheese first in wax or parchment paper and then cover it with plastic wrap before refrigerating. This will ensure that your cheese stays fresh for 3 to 4 weeks in the refrigerator.

Wax paper is coated with both wax and polyethylene, which creates a barrier that wicks excess moisture away from the cheese while still allowing it to breathe. This prevents the cheese from tasting like plastic, which can happen if you wrap it directly in plastic wrap.

If you don't have wax paper, you can mimic its effect by first wrapping the cheese in a layer of parchment paper and then putting it in a plastic bag or a resealable food container.

To further extend the shelf life of Jarlsberg cheese, you can also freeze it. Cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each and wrap them tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place them inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen in this way, Jarlsberg cheese will maintain its best quality for about 6 months but will remain safe to eat beyond that time.

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