Swiss Cheese: How Long Does It Last?

Swiss cheese is a versatile ingredient, adding a nutty, slightly sweet flavour to dishes ranging from casseroles and soups to fondue and quiche. But how long does it last in the refrigerator? When stored properly, an unopened chunk of Swiss cheese can be kept in the fridge for up to six months past the sell-by date. This is due to its low moisture content, which slows the growth of bacteria. Once opened, it is best consumed within three to four weeks to ensure optimal taste and safety.

Swiss cheese should be wrapped in parchment paper, then plastic wrap, and stored in the fridge

Swiss cheese is a versatile ingredient, adding its signature nutty flavour to a variety of dishes. To ensure the cheese remains edible and tasty, it is important to store it correctly.

Firstly, wrapping Swiss cheese in parchment paper helps to prevent the cheese from drying out. Parchment paper is breathable and prevents additional moisture from accumulating, keeping the cheese fresh. It also serves as a protective barrier, shielding the cheese from exposure to air, light, and oxygen, which can cause spoilage.

Secondly, a loose layer of plastic wrap over the parchment paper provides an additional layer of protection. Plastic wrap helps to maintain the humidity around the cheese, preventing it from drying out, while also creating a barrier that slows down the growth of bacteria.

Finally, storing the wrapped cheese in the refrigerator, specifically in the crisper drawer, ensures a cold and stable temperature. The refrigerator maintains a temperature range that slows down bacterial growth and prolongs the shelf life of the cheese.

By following these steps, you can effectively preserve the quality and freshness of Swiss cheese, ensuring it remains edible and flavourful for an extended period.

It will last 3-4 weeks in the fridge, or 6-8 months in the freezer

Swiss cheese is a versatile ingredient, adding a mild, nutty flavour to dishes ranging from casseroles and soups to fondue and quiche. But how long does it last in the refrigerator?

When it comes to the longevity of Swiss cheese, several factors come into play, including storage conditions, temperature, and whether the cheese is opened or unopened.

If you've purchased a chunk or block of Swiss cheese and kept it unopened, it can last for about 6 months in the refrigerator. This extended shelf life is due to its low moisture content, which slows down the growth of bacteria. To maximise its shelf life, it's best to keep it in its original packaging and store it in the refrigerator, maintaining a consistent temperature of 34-40°F (1-4°C).

Once you open your Swiss cheese, it's best consumed within 3 to 4 weeks. During this period, you can enjoy the optimal taste and texture that Swiss cheese offers. To preserve its quality, wrap the cheese in parchment paper followed by a loose layer of plastic wrap, or use a plastic wrap made especially for cheese, and store it in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.

If you wish to extend the shelf life of Swiss cheese even further, you can freeze it. Cut the cheese into portions, wrap them tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place them in a freezer bag. Frozen Swiss cheese will maintain its best quality for about 6 to 8 months, although it will remain safe to consume beyond that time if stored at a constant temperature of 0°F (-18°C) or below.

It's best to freeze it in portions no larger than 1/2 pound each

Swiss cheese can be frozen to extend its shelf life. However, it is important to note that freezing may alter the texture of the cheese, and it is more likely to become crumbly and lose some of its flavour. To maintain the quality of Swiss cheese for as long as possible, it is recommended to cut the cheese into portions no larger than 1/2 pound each before freezing. This ensures that the cheese freezes evenly and can be thawed and used in smaller quantities as needed.

When preparing Swiss cheese for freezing, it is important to wrap it tightly to prevent freezer burn and to maintain its freshness. Firstly, cut the cheese into the desired portion size, ensuring that each piece does not exceed 1/2 pound. Then, wrap each portion tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap. Alternatively, you can place the wrapped portions inside heavy-duty freezer bags for added protection from air and moisture.

Once the cheese portions are securely wrapped, they can be placed in the freezer. It is important to note that Swiss cheese should be frozen before the number of days shown for refrigerator storage has elapsed. Properly stored, frozen Swiss cheese will maintain its best quality for about six to eight months but can be kept safe beyond that time if stored at a constant temperature of 0°F (-18°C).

When you are ready to use the frozen Swiss cheese, thaw it in the refrigerator for the best results. The cheese will keep for an additional three to four days in the refrigerator after being defrosted. If you need to use the cheese immediately, you can also thaw it in the microwave or in cold water, but it should be consumed right away. It is important to note that once defrosted, the cheese is best suited for cooked dishes, such as sauces, soups, and casseroles, due to its altered texture and flavour.

Signs of spoilage include a hard texture, discolouration, a strong smell, and mould

Swiss cheese is a versatile ingredient, adding its signature nutty flavour to sandwiches, soups, casseroles, and more. However, it's important to be vigilant about signs of spoilage to avoid foodborne illness.

One sign of spoilage is a hard texture. Swiss cheese naturally has a firm yet slightly elastic texture. However, if it becomes very hard, it's a sign that it's going bad.

Another indicator of spoilage is discolouration. Fresh Swiss cheese has a pale yellow colour. If you notice darkening or other significant changes in colour, discard the cheese.

Swiss cheese can also spoil when it develops a strong smell. While Swiss cheese has a characteristic earthy odour, it should not be overpowering. A sour or ammonia-like smell indicates spoilage.

Finally, the presence of mould is a clear sign of spoilage. If you see any visible mould on the surface of the cheese, regardless of the colour, it's time to throw it out.

To prevent spoilage, it's important to store Swiss cheese properly. It should be wrapped in parchment or wax paper, followed by a loose layer of plastic wrap, and placed in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. With proper storage, Swiss cheese can last 3 to 4 weeks in the fridge and up to 6 months in the freezer.

Swiss cheese is a versatile ingredient, great for sandwiches, salads, casseroles, soups, and fondue

When it comes to sandwiches, Swiss cheese is a classic choice. A popular option is to combine it with tomatoes and spinach, grilling the sandwich to create a sophisticated take on the classic American grilled cheese. For a more complex sandwich, you could add Country Crock® Spread, baby spinach leaves, thinly sliced Swiss cheese, and tomato slices to country-style or whole-grain bread.

Swiss cheese is also a delicious addition to salads. A Swiss cheese salad can be made with a variety of ingredients, such as radishes, pickles, red bell pepper, croutons, chives, vinegar, horseradish, mustard, scallions, and chervil or parsley. Combining these ingredients with Swiss cheeses like Gruyère and Emmentaler can create a unique and tasty salad.

This variety of Swiss cheese is also a key ingredient in casseroles, adding a salty, crunchy element. For example, a vegetable casserole can be made with thawed frozen vegetables, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, pepper, and French fried onions, with Swiss cheese as the star ingredient.

Swiss cheese is also a great choice for soups. A Swiss cheese soup can be made by combining chicken stock, garlic, butter, flour, and Swiss cheese. The cheese adds a creamy texture and a unique flavour to the soup.

Fondue, a dish originating in Switzerland, is another classic way to enjoy Swiss cheese. The traditional Swiss fondue consists of melted Gruyère and other Swiss cheeses, such as Emmentaler, Vacherin Fribourgeois, Appenzeller, and Raclette. This blend of cheeses is seasoned with kirsch, wine, and garlic, and is served with various accompaniments for dipping, such as bread, potatoes, apples, and cornichons.

When storing Swiss cheese in the refrigerator, it is important to note that it has a relatively long shelf life but is prone to spoilage. Soft Swiss cheeses will last in the fridge for about 1-2 weeks after opening, while hard varieties will typically last for 3-4 weeks. To maximize its shelf life, wrap Swiss cheese in wax, parchment, or cheese paper, and ensure your refrigerator is maintained at a temperature below 40°F (4°C).

Frequently asked questions