Storing Whipped Goat Cheese: How Long Does It Last?

Whipped goat cheese is a delicious and versatile dish that can be used as an appetizer, spread, or dip. It is made by blending goat cheese with other ingredients such as cream cheese, olive oil, garlic, and herbs, resulting in a creamy and tangy treat. But how long can you keep whipped goat cheese? When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, whipped goat cheese can last for up to 4-5 days. It is best to bring it to room temperature before serving to ensure a creamy and spreadable consistency. If you want to make it ahead of time, it can be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days, depending on the recipe. However, it is not recommended to freeze whipped goat cheese as it can affect its texture and taste.

How to make whipped goat cheese

Whipped goat cheese is an easy appetizer or spread that you can make in under 5 minutes. It's tangy, creamy, and bright—a mixture of goat cheese and cream cheese, whipped with garlic, lemon, red pepper flakes, and a little parsley. You can serve it with crackers, celery sticks, carrot sticks, crostini, or bread.

Ingredients:

• Goat cheese
• Cream cheese
• Lemon juice
• Garlic
• Red pepper flakes
• Black pepper
• Parsley
• Olive oil (optional)
• Salt (optional)

Steps:

• Mince a clove of garlic in a food processor.
• Add the goat cheese, cream cheese, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, and black pepper to the food processor and blend until all the ingredients are whipped together.
• Stir in some parsley into the goat cheese mixture.
• Transfer the mixture to a bowl and serve with your choice of crackers, celery sticks, carrot sticks, crostini, or bread.

Tips:

• You can use a mini food processor if you don't want to get out the big one. Just pulse it back and forth a few times to get it completely blended.
• The dip will firm up when placed in the refrigerator. Briskly stir it before serving or let it rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
• You can use a goat cheese that is already flavored with herbs and garlic for extra flavor.
• This dip can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

How long does it last in the fridge?

Whipped goat cheese can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. It will remain soft even when cold, but if you want it to be more spreadable, let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to an hour before serving.

If you plan to add mix-ins to your whipped goat cheese, such as roasted vegetables or caramelized onions, these can affect the shelf life of the dip. In general, however, you can expect your whipped goat cheese to last about a week in the fridge.

If you want to make a larger batch and save some for later, you can freeze whipped goat cheese for 2-3 months. Let it defrost overnight in the refrigerator, and give it a good stir before serving. It should stay relatively smooth, but if you want it to be extra creamy, you can blend it again in a food processor.

It's important to note that the type of cheese you use can impact the shelf life of your whipped goat cheese. Softer cheeses, like goat cheese and cream cheese, will generally last about a week in the fridge. Harder cheeses, like parmesan, can be stored for much longer.

Additionally, the mix-ins you choose can also affect the shelf life of your dip. For example, if you add roasted vegetables, your dip will only last as long as those vegetables would last in the fridge. Mix-ins like herbs, spices, and honey are less perishable and will likely not affect the shelf life of your whipped goat cheese.

In summary, whipped goat cheese is a versatile and delicious appetizer that can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. With a good balance of cheese and mix-ins, as well as proper storage, your whipped goat cheese will be sure to impress at your next gathering!

What can you serve it with?

Whipped goat cheese is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways and with a range of accompaniments. Here are some ideas for what to serve with whipped goat cheese:

As a Dip

Whipped goat cheese makes an excellent dip for fresh vegetables, such as carrots, celery, cucumbers, bell peppers, and grape tomatoes. It also pairs well with crackers, crostini, pretzels, or pita chips. For a gluten-free option, serve it with sliced gluten-free baguette or bagels. You can also get creative and use whipped goat cheese as a dip for beet fries or even sweet treats like dried fruits.

As a Spread

The creamy texture of whipped goat cheese makes it ideal for spreading on toast, sandwiches, or bruschetta. Try it on sourdough, French bread, or gluten-free toast. For an extra indulgent treat, drizzle honey on top of the whipped goat cheese before spreading it on your bread of choice.

As a Topping

Whipped goat cheese can be used as a tasty topping for pizza or salads. It also works well as a filling for phyllo cups or bacon-wrapped dates. For a more substantial meal, mix it into pasta, adding a small amount of water to smooth it out.

As an Appetizer

Whipped goat cheese is a perfect appetizer for any occasion. Serve it with crostini, crackers, or fresh vegetables for a simple yet elegant starter. It can also be part of a more elaborate spread, such as a bruschetta bar or charcuterie board. For a festive touch, garnish the whipped goat cheese with toppings like nuts, roasted garlic, crispy bacon, or hot honey.

In Baked Goods

For a unique twist, incorporate whipped goat cheese into your baking. Try spreading it on a holiday crescent roll veggie tree or using it as a filling for phyllo cups. You can even make your own whipped goat cheese bagel bites by toasting bagel slices and topping them with the cheese.

What can you add to it?

Whipped goat cheese is a versatile dish that can be served as a dip, spread, or appetizer. It pairs well with a variety of ingredients, allowing you to customise it to your taste preferences. Here are some ideas for what you can add to whipped goat cheese:

Herbs and Spices

Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, parsley, basil, and oregano can add a burst of flavour to your whipped goat cheese. You can also add red pepper flakes, black pepper, or chilli paste to give it a spicy kick. Sun-dried tomatoes and Kalamata olives can also be used as toppings or mixed into the cheese for added texture and flavour.

Sweet Additions

If you have a sweet tooth, a drizzle of honey can complement the savoury flavour of the goat cheese. You can also try fig jam or spread, chopped dates, or apricot spread for a unique sweet and savoury combination.

Dairy

Cream cheese is a common addition to whipped goat cheese, adding tanginess and a creamy texture. You can also use sour cream or Greek yoghurt for similar effects. For a dairy-free option, consider using dairy-free cream cheese alternatives.

Oils and Vinegars

A drizzle of olive oil can round out the flavours of the dip and make it smoother. Alternatively, a splash of vinegar can add a tangy twist to the cheese.

Fruits and Vegetables

Whipped goat cheese goes well with fresh vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, bell peppers, and celery. It can also be paired with fruits like cranberry chutney or fig jam.

Breads and Crackers

This cheese can be served with crusty bread, such as sourdough, French bread, or gluten-free baguettes. It also pairs well with crackers, crostini, pita chips, or pretzels.

Meats

For a heartier dish, you can top the whipped goat cheese with crispy bacon or caramelised onions.

How to serve it

Whipped goat cheese is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas on how to serve it:

As a Dip

Whipped goat cheese makes an excellent dip for fresh vegetables such as carrots, celery, cucumbers, bell peppers, and grape tomatoes. It also pairs well with crackers, crostini, pretzels, pita chips, and bread. For a special touch, try brushing the crostini with garlic and herbs before serving.

As a Spread

The creamy texture of whipped goat cheese lends itself well to being used as a spread. Try spreading it on sandwiches, toast, or bruschetta. For a savoury option, top it with ripe summer tomatoes, sea salt, and fresh herbs. If you have a sweet tooth, add a drizzle of honey to the mixture.

On Pizza or Salads

Whipped goat cheese can also be used as a topping for pizza or salads. Simply dollop a small amount on top of your pizza or salad for an extra creamy, tangy flavour.

With Sweet or Savoury Sides

Goat cheese is unique in that it pairs well with both sweet and savoury flavours. For a savoury option, serve it with caramelised onions, bacon, or dates. For something sweeter, try pairing it with honey, fig jam, or dried fruits.

Frequently asked questions