Bushra Griffith
Parmesan cheese is a hard cheese that is a popular addition to pasta sauces, casseroles, and soups. It has a long shelf life, especially if stored properly. When stored in the refrigerator under the right conditions, Parmesan can last for several weeks to months. If stored properly, Parmesan cheese will maintain its best quality in the freezer for about 12 to 18 months but will remain safe beyond that time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shelf life in the freezer | 12-18 months |
| Shelf life beyond stated freezer time | Indefinite, if kept constantly frozen at 0°F |
| Shelf life after defrosting in the fridge | 3-4 days |
| Shelf life after defrosting in the microwave or cold water | Use immediately |
| Effect of freezing on cheese | Crumbly texture, loss of flavour |
| Best use of defrosted cheese | Cooked dishes like sauces, soups, casseroles |
| How to use shredded frozen cheese | Shake to break up clumping |
| How to defrost a wedge of frozen Parmesan | Place on countertop for 10 minutes at room temperature |
| Refrigerator shelf life of unopened Parmesan | 7-9 months |
| Refrigerator shelf life of opened Parmesan | 1-2 months |
| Refrigerator shelf life of grated Parmesan | 1 week |
| Indication of spoilage | Turns yellow or mouldy |
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What You'll Learn
Parmesan cheese can last in the freezer for 12-18 months
Parmesan cheese is a hard cheese with a long shelf life, especially when stored properly. When stored in a refrigerator, it can last for several weeks to months. However, freezing is an excellent way to extend the shelf life of Parmesan cheese even further.
When properly stored, Parmesan cheese can last in the freezer for 12 to 18 months and remain safe beyond that duration. This extended freezer life is because Parmesan is a hard cheese with low moisture content, which slows down the spoilage process. To ensure the cheese stays fresh and flavourful, it should be stored at a constant temperature of 0°F.
To freeze Parmesan cheese, start by wrapping the cheese tightly in plastic wrap to create an airtight seal. Then, place the wrapped cheese in a freezer bag or container for added protection from freezer burn. Finally, label the package with the date and store it in the freezer.
When you're ready to use your frozen Parmesan cheese, simply remove it from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature for about 10 minutes before use. It's important to note that frozen cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavour, so it's best suited for cooked dishes like sauces, soups, and casseroles.
By following these storage and freezing guidelines, you can enjoy the longevity and versatility of Parmesan cheese in your kitchen.
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It can be safely stored indefinitely at 0°F
Parmesan cheese is a hard cheese with a long shelf life, especially when stored properly. When it comes to freezing, shredded Parmesan cheese can be stored for three to six months, while a wedge of Parmesan can be kept in the freezer for over a year. However, the key to ensuring that Parmesan cheese can be safely stored indefinitely at 0°F lies in maintaining a constant freezing temperature.
At this constant temperature of 0°F, Parmesan cheese will remain safe to consume indefinitely, even beyond its best-before date. This indefinite storage guideline is specifically for cheese that has been consistently frozen at this exact temperature. It is important to note that the freezer time recommendations of 12 to 18 months refer to the optimal quality of the cheese.
While Parmesan cheese can be stored indefinitely at 0°F, it is important to consider the potential impact on texture and flavour. Frozen cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavour. Therefore, it is recommended to use thawed Parmesan cheese in cooked dishes, such as sauces, soups, and casseroles, where its texture and flavour can be better incorporated.
To thaw Parmesan cheese, it is advisable to defrost it in the refrigerator, which can take an additional 3 to 4 days. Alternatively, defrosting can be done in the microwave or with cold water, but the cheese should be used immediately after. Proper storage is crucial to maintaining the flavour and texture of Parmesan cheese, and this includes ensuring that the cheese is well-sealed to prevent it from drying out or absorbing refrigerator odours.
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Thawed Parmesan is best suited for cooked dishes
Parmesan cheese is a hard cheese with a long shelf life, especially when stored properly. When stored in a refrigerator, Parmesan can last several weeks to months. An unopened block of Parmesan cheese can last seven to nine months in the refrigerator, while an opened block will last one to two months. However, if you have an abundance of Parmesan cheese or want to extend its shelf life even further, freezing is an option.
Properly stored Parmesan cheese will maintain its best quality in the freezer for about 12 to 18 months but will remain safe to consume beyond that time. To ensure the cheese stays fresh, it should be stored at a constant temperature of 0°F. Once defrosted, Parmesan cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavour. Therefore, it is best suited for cooked dishes where it can be melted and blended with other ingredients.
Thawed Parmesan is ideal for sauces, soups, and casseroles. Adding it to these dishes will enhance their flavour and creaminess. The heat from cooking will also help to restore the cheese's texture, making it softer and easier to incorporate into the dish. The cooking process allows the cheese to blend seamlessly, contributing to a rich and indulgent taste experience.
When adding thawed Parmesan to sauces, it is important to grate or shred the cheese before mixing it in. This ensures that it melts evenly and smoothly. For soups and casseroles, you can also grate or shred the cheese, or cut it into small cubes before adding it to the dish. This will help the cheese melt and distribute evenly throughout the dish.
Additionally, when using thawed Parmesan in cooked dishes, it is advisable to add it towards the end of the cooking process. This prevents overcooking the cheese, ensuring that it retains its flavour and texture. By incorporating it just before serving, you can create a more refined and elegant dish.
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An unopened block can last 7-9 months in the fridge
Parmesan cheese is a hard cheese with a long shelf life, especially if stored properly. An unopened block of Parmesan cheese can last seven to nine months in the refrigerator. This is because the cheese's lack of moisture content prevents spoilage. Parmesan can also be stored in the freezer, where it will last for over a year.
If you're storing opened Parmesan cheese, its shelf life depends on how well it is sealed and stored. A whole, opened block of Parmesan cheese will last one to two months in the refrigerator. Grated or shredded Parmesan has a shorter shelf life and will last about one week in the refrigerator. To extend the shelf life of opened Parmesan cheese, keep it in an airtight container or resealable bag in the refrigerator.
When storing Parmesan cheese in the refrigerator, ensure the temperature is below 40°F (4°C). The cheese should be well-sealed to prevent it from drying out or absorbing odours from the refrigerator.
If you choose to store Parmesan cheese in the freezer, it will maintain its best quality for about 12 to 18 months, but it will remain safe to consume beyond this time. Frozen Parmesan cheese can be defrosted in the refrigerator and then kept for an additional 3 to 4 days before use. Alternatively, it can be defrosted in the microwave or cold water and used immediately. However, it's important to note that frozen cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavour, so it's best suited for cooked dishes like sauces, soups, and casseroles.
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Proper storage is key to maintaining flavour and texture
When storing Parmesan in the refrigerator, ensure it is well-sealed to prevent it from drying out or absorbing odours. An unopened block of Parmesan can last seven to nine months in the refrigerator, while an opened block will last one to two months. Grated Parmesan has a shorter shelf life and will last about one week in the refrigerator.
To extend the shelf life of opened Parmesan, keep it in an airtight container or resealable bag in the refrigerator. It is recommended to store Parmesan cheese in the refrigerator at temperatures below 4°C.
If you wish to store Parmesan cheese for even longer, you can freeze it. Frozen Parmesan will maintain its best quality for about 12 to 18 months, but it will remain safe to consume beyond this time. When stored at a constant temperature of 0°F, frozen Parmesan will keep indefinitely.
When using frozen Parmesan, it is recommended to defrost it first. Place the wedge of frozen cheese on a countertop for about ten minutes at room temperature to defrost before use. Frozen cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavour, so it is best suited for cooked dishes such as sauces, soups, and casseroles.
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Frequently asked questions
Properly stored Parmesan cheese will last for about 12 to 18 months in the freezer and remain safe beyond that timeframe.
Parmesan cheese should be stored in an airtight container or resealable bag in the freezer.
Frozen Parmesan cheese can be defrosted by placing it on the countertop for 10 minutes at room temperature.
Yes, shredded Parmesan cheese can be frozen and stored for three to six months.
Yes, grated Parmesan cheese can be frozen but it has a shorter shelf life compared to blocks of Parmesan.
