Randy Chandler
Blue cheese is a popular condiment in the US, often used as a salad dressing or a dip for vegetables and chicken wings. It is made with a variety of ingredients, including blue cheese, buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, vinegar, and seasonings. While it is a beloved part of many meals, blue cheese can go bad, and it is important to know how to spot this. Blue cheese dressing should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and has a shelf life of five to seven days. If the blue cheese is slimy, gritty, smells like ammonia, or has grey, green, pink, or white mold, spots, or fuzz, it has gone bad and should be discarded.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best before | 3-5 days |
| Best before | 5-7 days |
| Smell | Fresh blue cheese has a strong scent, but it changes as it starts to go bad. An ammonia-like smell indicates that the cheese has gone bad. |
| Colour | Fresh blue cheese has a blue mould. If it has grey, green, pink, or white mould, spots, or fuzz, it has gone bad. |
| Texture | Slimy texture indicates that the cheese has gone bad. |
| Taste | Fresh blue cheese has a strong, sharp taste. If it becomes too strong, it has probably gone bad. |
| Health benefits | Blue cheese dressing is a good source of calcium and phosphorus, which are important for bone health and energy production. It also contains spermidine, a natural polyamine that is thought to slow the ageing process and promote cardiovascular health. |
| Ingredients | Blue cheese, buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, vinegar, seasonings, soybean oil, water, distilled vinegar, egg yolk, sugar, salt, dried garlic, xanthan gum, natural flavour, mustard seed, yeast extract, lactic acid, cultured milk, eggs, onion, garlic, dill. |
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What You'll Learn
How long does blue cheese dressing last?
The shelf life of blue cheese dressing depends on its ingredients and storage conditions.
Homemade blue cheese dressing will typically last for about five to seven days if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This is because it lacks the preservatives found in store-bought dressings.
Commercially packaged blue cheese dressing will usually carry a "Best By," "Best if Used By," "Best Before," or "Best When Used By" date. This is not a safety date but the manufacturer's estimate of how long the product will be at peak quality. As long as it has been stored properly, with the package undamaged and no signs of spoilage, it can be safely consumed beyond this date. When continuously refrigerated, blue cheese dressing will generally stay at its best quality for about 6 to 9 months.
To maximize the shelf life of blue cheese dressing, it should be kept refrigerated and tightly covered. The quality of blue cheese dressing can be maintained for longer by controlling the temperature and humidity of the storage environment.
Blue cheese dressing is prone to spoilage, and it is important to know the signs. One of the most common indicators of spoilage is an ammonia-like smell. This is caused by the putrefaction of the cheese, which also produces liquid. Other signs include a change in colour, such as grey, green, pink, or white mould, and a change in texture, such as a slimy or gritty surface. If any of these signs are present, the blue cheese dressing should be discarded.
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How to tell if blue cheese is bad
Blue cheese is known for its pungent taste and scent, which is thanks to the edible mould it contains. But, like all cheeses, blue cheese can go bad. Here's how to tell if your blue cheese is past its best:
Check the colour
The creamy part of blue cheese should be white or beige. If you notice any pink, brown, green, or blue discolouration, it's time to toss it. It's also worth noting the colour of your blue cheese when it's fresh, so you can more easily spot any changes that might indicate it's gone bad.
Look for mould
The blue-green veins in blue cheese are Penicillium mould spores, which are safe to eat and give the cheese its distinctive taste. However, if you spot any fuzzy, grey, black, or pink mould, it's time to throw the cheese away.
Smell the cheese
Blue cheese has a strong, distinctive smell, but it can go off. If your blue cheese has an ammonia-like smell, or a musty odour, it's likely gone bad.
Examine the texture
If your blue cheese looks slimy or gritty, it's probably past its best.
Taste it
If your blue cheese still smells and looks the same as when you bought it, you can try tasting a small amount to see if it's gone bad. Fresh blue cheese has a strong, sharp taste, but old cheese becomes especially biting when it starts to spoil. If it's too strong to enjoy, throw it away. In most cases, eating a small amount of off blue cheese won't make you sick.
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Blue cheese dressing nutrition facts
Blue cheese dressing is a popular salad dressing and dipping sauce in the US. It is typically made with blue cheese, buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, vinegar, and seasonings. It is known for its strong, tangy taste, which can be toned down when combined with other ingredients.
Blue cheese dressing is available in full-fat, reduced-fat, and fat-free varieties, and there are also vegan options available. It is a good source of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K, which can increase the nutritional benefit of salads and vegetables.
One tablespoon (15 grams) of blue cheese dressing contains 0.7 grams of carbohydrates and 7 grams of total fat. This includes approximately 1.2 grams of saturated fat, 4.1 grams of polyunsaturated fat, and 2 grams of monounsaturated fat. It is important to note that the nutritional content may vary depending on the specific ingredients and brands.
When it comes to storing blue cheese dressing, it is recommended to keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Homemade blue cheese dressing can last for about 5 to 7 days, while store-bought dressing can have a longer shelf life of up to 6 to 9 months. However, it is always important to check the packaging for specific storage instructions and expiration dates.
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Blue cheese dressing health benefits
Blue cheese dressing is a popular condiment in the US, typically used as a dressing for salads or as a dip for vegetables and chicken wings. It is made with ingredients such as blue cheese, buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, vinegar, and simple seasonings.
While blue cheese can be an acquired taste, its strong, tangy flavour can be mellowed out when combined with other ingredients. The fat in blue cheese dressings helps you absorb more fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K, increasing the nutritional benefit from salads and veggies.
Blue cheese dressing is a good source of calcium and phosphorus, which are important minerals for bone and teeth health. Research shows that the consumption of blue cheese dressing is associated with a decreased risk of osteoporosis and hip fracture. The calcium in blue cheese may also be linked to anti-obesity mechanisms that reduce body weight from fat.
Blue cheese contains a compound called spermidine, which is a natural polyamine that is believed to slow the aging process and promote cardiovascular health. Spermidine has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, and its intake is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and lower blood pressure levels.
Blue cheese dressing is also suitable for gluten-free diets as it does not contain any gluten-containing ingredients. The addition of fermented dairy to the diet is shown to prevent cognitive decline in the elderly.
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Popular blue cheese dressing brands
Blue cheese dressing is a popular salad dressing and dipping sauce. While you can make it at home, many popular brands offer their own take on this dressing.
Marzetti
Marzetti is a cult favourite when it comes to salad dressings. Their blue cheese dressing is very mild and extremely thick, making it a huge crowd-pleaser with people who are on the fence about blue cheese dressing.
Kraft
Kraft offers a chunky blue cheese dressing, although some reviews say that it is watery and lacks flavour. It is quite affordable, priced at $2.89 at Walmart.
Ken's Steak House
Ken's Steak House blue cheese dressing is quite thick, making it great for dipping. However, it is said to lack the signature blue cheese funkiness and flavour.
Signature Select
Signature Select's blue cheese dressing is one of the cheapest options available. It is watery and lacks flavour, with an off-putting sweetness.
Whole Foods 365
Whole Foods 365 Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip is the perfect version of a mild blue cheese dressing. It is not too thick or too thin and is flavorful without being intense.
Wegmans
Wegmans' store brand blue cheese dressing hardly has any visible chunks and has a thin consistency. However, it is quite affordable at $2.50 a bottle.
Other popular brands that offer blue cheese dressing include Bob's Big Boy Bleu Cheese, Happy Belly, Trader Joe's, and more.
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Frequently asked questions
Store-bought blue cheese dressing can last up to one year when unopened and stored in a pantry. Once opened, it should be refrigerated and consumed within 1-2 weeks. Homemade blue cheese dressing, on the other hand, typically lasts 3-7 days in the fridge.
Bad blue cheese dressing will have a sour or foul smell. There may also be a change in colour, from white to yellow or a darker shade. If the dressing has been opened for more than a month, it's best to discard it. Any signs of mold or a chunky consistency when it should be smooth are also indicators that the dressing has gone bad.
Good blue cheese has a strong, pungent scent. Fresh blue cheese has a strong, sharp taste. As it ages, it becomes stronger and more biting.
Bad blue cheese will have an ammonia-like smell. This is due to the production of nitrogenous compounds by bacteria as the cheese starts to spoil.
