In this brief guide, we are going to answer the question "how long can cheddar cheese stay out of the fridge" with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of cheddar cheese at room temperature. Moreover, we are going to discuss the shelf life of cheddar cheese in the fridge and freezer along with different ways to spot bad cheddar cheese.

So without much ado, let's dive in and figure out more about it.

How long can cheddar cheese stay out of the fridge?

When it comes to the cheddar cheese, being a hard cheese it lasts for about 8 hours when stored unrefrigerated as it has low moisture content.

Shelf life of cheddar cheese in the fridge

The opened cheddar cheese block lasts for about 3-4 weeks in the fridge if stored properly at or below 40°F. Moreover, it is the best practice to wrap a wax paper or parchment paper around your cheddar cheese wedge and afterward wrap a plastic wrap around it for maximum protection.

On the other hand, unopened cheddar cheese lasts for about 2-4 months when stored properly in the fridge.

Shelf life of cheddar cheese in the freezer

The cheddar cheese lasts for about 8 months or even more in the freezer if stored properly in a plastic freezer bag. As the frozen cheddar cheese becomes crumbly when thawed so it is better to use it in sauces, soups, or casseroles.

Thus keeping the cheddar cheese in the freezer will increase their shelf life considerably owing to the cool temperature of the freezer that halts the bacterial growth on the cheddar cheese.

It is worth mentioning that the figures mentioned above are the estimated shelf life of cheddar cheese.

You can read how to make caramelized garlic, spinach and cheddar tart here.

Different ways to spot bad cheddar cheese

There are a couple of indicators that point out bad cheddar cheese. You can tell if your cheddar cheese has gone bad by considering its appearance, color, texture, and smell.

Appearance

Moreover, if you see some mold, especially some grey-green mold on the cheddar cheese then it is an indication of bad cheddar cheese.

In the case of the grated cheddar cheese, if you spot a mold in it, you should discard the whole package.

On the other hand, if you spot a mold on the block of cheddar cheese then what you can do is to cut out the cheese at least 1 inch around and below the mold and discard it. Care should be taken while cutting out the mold and the knife should never touch the mold.

Color

If you see that the color of cheddar cheese has darkened, it is an indication that your cheddar cheese has gone bad.

Texture

If you notice that the edges of the cheddar cheese have hardened or that the cheese has become flaky, then it is the indication that your cheddar cheese is past its prime age.

Smell

If you notice some off-smell (pungent or ammonia-like smell) or something that does not quite smell like cheddar cheese itself, then it means that your cheddar cheese has gone bad and you should discard it.

Other FAQs about Cheese which you may be interested in.

What can I use as a substitute for gruyere cheese?

Tips to properly store cheddar cheese

  1. The cheddar cheese should be stored wrapped in parchment or wax paper in an air-tight container or a plastic zipper bag.
  1. It is best, practice to wrap a wax paper or parchment paper around your cheddar cheese wedge or block and afterward wrap a plastic wrap around it for maximum protection.
  1. The cheddar cheese should be stored on the lowest shelf of the refrigerator as it is the coldest part of the refrigerator and has a temperature between 38 °F to 40 °F.

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we answered the question "how long can cheddar cheese stay out of the fridge" with an in-depth analysis of the shelf life of cheddar cheese at room temperature. Moreover, we discussed the shelf life of cheddar cheese in the fridge and freezer along with different ways to spot bad cheddar cheese.

Citations

https://www.stilltasty.com/articles/how-long-can-cheese-sit-out-before-it-becomes-unsafe-to-eat#:~:text=Hard%20cheeses%20like%20cheddar%20and,sitting%20out%20at%20room%20temperature.

https://www.usdairy.com/news-articles/how-long-can-cheese-sit-out

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/how-long-you-can-keep-cheese-fridge-store-hard-soft-a7903466.html

https://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/16743

https://www.stilltasty.com/articles/view/84

Mahnoor Asghar is a Clinical Nutritionist with a bachelor's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. She is compassionate and dedicated to playing her part in the well-being of the masses. She wants to play a fruitful role in creating nutrition and health-related awareness among the general public. Additionally, she has a keen eye for detail and loves to create content related to food, nutrition, health, and wellness.