Cheddar Cheese: How Long Does It Last?

Cheddar cheese is a semi-hard cheese that has been cooked and pressed but not aged, giving it a higher moisture content than hard cheeses. This means that it will have a shorter shelf life than hard cheeses, but when stored properly, it can still last a long time.

Cheddar cheese storage methods

Cheddar cheese is a semi-hard cheese, which means it has been cooked and pressed but not aged, so it contains more moisture than hard cheeses. This means that it is more perishable than hard cheeses like Parmesan and Gruyere, but will still last longer than soft cheeses like mozzarella or cream cheese.

Storage Methods

• Cheddar cheese should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature below 40°F (4°C).
• It should be wrapped in a breathable material like wax paper, parchment paper, or cheese paper.
• It should not be wrapped in plastic wrap or stored in a plastic bag, as this will dry out the cheese and impact its flavour.
• It should be stored in an airtight container.
• It should be stored in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator, where the temperature is cold and stable, and the humidity is consistent.
• It should not be left out of the refrigerator for more than two hours, as this will cause it to degrade.
• To extend the shelf life of cheddar cheese, it can be frozen. Cut the cheese into portions no larger than half a pound each, and wrap tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen cheddar cheese will maintain its best quality for about eight months, but will remain safe to eat beyond that.

Signs of Spoilage

• A very hard texture.
• A dark colour.
• A strong smell.
• Mold.
• Dryness.
• Cracks.
• Slimy surface.

How long does cheddar cheese last in the freezer?

Cheddar cheese is a semi-hard cheese that can be frozen to extend its shelf life. When stored in the refrigerator, an opened chunk of cheddar cheese will last for about 3 to 4 weeks. However, by freezing it, you can extend its shelf life significantly.

To freeze cheddar cheese, cut the cheese into portions of no more than 1/2 pound (or 1 pound, according to another source) each. Then, wrap the portions tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil, plastic freezer wrap, or place them inside a heavy-duty freezer bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible if using a plastic bag.

Properly stored, frozen cheddar cheese will maintain its best quality for about 6 to 9 months, but it will remain safe to consume beyond that time. The key factor is keeping the temperature at a constant 0°F, which will ensure the cheese stays safe to eat indefinitely.

It is important to note that freezing affects the texture and quality of cheese. Frozen and then thawed cheddar cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavor. Therefore, it is best suited for cooked dishes such as sauces, soups, casseroles, grilled cheese sandwiches, or anywhere it will be melted.

How to identify bad cheddar cheese

Cheddar cheese is a semi-hard cheese that typically lasts between two to four weeks in the refrigerator after opening. However, it's important to know how to identify when cheddar cheese has gone bad. Here are some signs to look for:

• Time lapse: Cheddar cheese is expected to last for about two to four weeks in the refrigerator after opening. If it has been longer than this, it is best to inspect the cheese closely for any signs of spoilage.
• Texture: A change in texture can indicate that cheddar cheese has gone bad. If the cheese has become very hard, dry, or crumbly, it is likely past its prime.
• Colour: If the cheese has darkened in colour or developed dark spots, it may be a sign of spoilage.
• Smell: Cheddar cheese that has gone bad will often emit a strong, unpleasant odour. A sweaty, chlorine-like, or ammonia-like smell is indicative of spoilage.
• Mold: The presence of mold is a sure sign that the cheese has spoiled. If there is mold on a block of cheddar cheese, it is important to cut away at least one inch around and below the moldy area without touching the mold with the knife. For shredded, sliced, or crumbled cheddar cheese, the entire package should be discarded if mold is present.
• Taste: If you taste the cheese and notice an unintentional bitter flavour, a fermented fruit taste, or a fizzy sensation on the tongue, it has likely gone bad.

It is important to note that while some molds on cheese, such as blue cheese, are harmless, others can produce dangerous toxins. Always err on the side of caution and discard the cheese if you are unsure.

Best-before dates on cheddar cheese

Cheddar cheese is a semi-hard cheese, which means it has a longer shelf life than soft cheeses but a shorter shelf life than hard cheeses. When stored properly, an unopened package of cheddar cheese will last about six months in the refrigerator. Once opened, a chunk of cheddar cheese will last for about three to four weeks in the refrigerator.

The best-before date on cheddar cheese is not an exact science. The exact answer to how long a chunk of cheddar cheese will last depends to a large extent on storage conditions. To maximise the shelf life of a chunk of cheddar cheese, it should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. For even better results, wrap the cheese first in wax or parchment paper and then cover it with plastic wrap before refrigerating.

To further extend the shelf life of cheddar cheese, you can freeze it. Cheddar cheese that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely. However, frozen cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavour.

Cheddar cheese that is going bad will typically develop a very hard texture, will darken in colour, will develop a strong smell and mould may appear.

How long can you leave cheddar cheese unrefrigerated?

Cheddar cheese is a semi-hard cheese, which means it has been cooked and pressed but not aged, so it contains more moisture. This means it is more perishable than hard cheeses like Parmesan or Gruyere, but it will last longer than soft cheeses like mozzarella or cream cheese.

The U.S. Department of Health advises that perishable food should not be left out of the fridge for more than two hours. Soft cheeses should be discarded after this time, but harder cheeses can be left out for up to four hours. After this time, the cheese should be checked for signs of spoilage. Harder cheeses are less likely to have bacterial growth, but the quality and taste may change.

The Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin recommend that hard cheeses like cheddar can be rewrapped and put back in the fridge after being left out for four hours or less. However, after four hours, the cheese should be checked for signs of spoilage.

Spoiled semi-hard cheeses like cheddar may display an unpleasant smell, a slimy surface, dark spots, dryness, cracks, or mould. If none of these signs are present, the cheese can be wrapped and returned to the fridge.

To store cheddar cheese, it should be wrapped loosely in a breathable material like wax paper or cheese paper and kept in an airtight container in the fridge.

Frequently asked questions