Shredded cheese is one of the most popular types of cheese that people buy.
It is usually found in bags and can be a little confusing how long it will last once you open it.
In this blog post, we will go over how to store your shredded cheese and how long it will last, so you don’t have to worry about throwing away any food.
What is Shredded Cheese?
Shredded cheese is a semi-soft, finely cut, or grated cheese used in many dishes.
It comes in blocks, and most brands include American cheddar jack, pepper jack, gruyere, and Mexican varieties.
The cheese is shredded by spinning the block in heated drums, which causes it to break apart into thin strips or flakes.
The pasta dish macaroni and cheese has become well known for using this type of cheese – but any recipe that needs melting can call for shredded cheese instead.
This semi-soft coated with a wax layer will melt without separating when melted and added as an ingredient to recipes, unlike grated hard cheeses like Parmesan with rougher edges.
Shredded cheese tapers at both ends while grated hard cheeses are more uniform across their surface area.
Shredding makes shreds thinner than how they would be if cut by hands, such as on top of a pizza or salad.
This type of cheese is used in macaroni and cheese, quesadillas, tacos, lasagna, soups, and salads – all recipes need melting but don’t require the flavor profile of grated cheese like Parmesan.
How to Store Shredded Cheese?
Whether you love it or hate it, the age-old question of storing shredded cheese has been a never-ending debate for many people.
Some swear that if they let their cheese sit out on the counter for too long before refrigerating, then bacteria will start to grow and spoil your food quicker than ever.
To properly store shredded cheese, you can either keep it in the original wrapper or container designed to hold it.
If you have an airtight container that will keep out any external factors, this is a great option to store your cheese in as well.
In the end, it’s up to you and what works best for your family.
If you’re storing shredded cheese in a container or wrapper, make sure to place it on the bottom of your fridge.
The cold air will help keep it fresh and hold its flavor.
Also, try not to store more than one container because they can release their moisture into other containers.
If you choose to keep them together, separate any perishable items from non-perishable items with an airtight barrier.
The longer the cheese is left out before refrigerating it after opening, the quicker bacteria will grow and spoil foods faster.
Make sure to eat all of these cheeses as soon as possible.
How Long Does Shredded Cheese Last?
Shredded cheese is a staple in many dishes, and the question of how long it will last varies depending on what type you buy.
Grated or pre-shredded cheeses typically have an expiration date stamped right onto them, but if they don’t, there are ways to estimate their shelf life based on taste and texture alone.
If they’re open but unrefrigerated, then they will be good for about four hours before the texture changes significantly enough that when you taste it, there’s a noticeable difference from how it was initially packaged.
If the package remains unopened, it will last for one to two months, but if you purchase a large block of cheese and shred yourself, then the shelf life is only about six days.
The shelf life of shredded cheese varies considerably depending on whether or not it is frozen.
If you keep your freezer stocked with shredded cheese, this type can stay fresh for between six to eight months without significant flavor differences occurring.
Freezing an opened package typically won’t extend its lifespan by much since freezing doesn’t halt the natural aging process.
Lastly, if you’re eating shredded cheese that has been in the pantry for a while, it will have a distinct sour taste and crumbly texture – this type of shredded cheese is no longer safe to eat unless you plan on cooking with it as part of your dish or sauce.
How to Tell if Shredded Cheese is Bad?
Shredded cheese is a wonderful way to add flavor and texture to dishes, but it can be tricky.
Is the shredded cheese bad? How do you know if it’s bad?
The best way to tell is by smelling the package.
If there is a sour or “off” odor, then that means your cheese has spoiled and will likely make everyone sick when they eat it.
But before you panic too much, there are some other things to consider first:
Is the shredded cheese supposed to be soft? Soft cheeses such as cream cheese and Monterey Jack have shorter shelf lives than harder cheeses like Parmesan and cheddar.
As long as their texture isn’t slimy or gooey, the chances are good that these softer varieties of shredded cheese still contain plenty of unspoiled flavor (and nutrients).
In contrast, hard cheeses such as cheddar and Parmesan are best stored in the fridge to prolong their shelf life.
Cheese that has developed a dark or fuzzy discoloration should be tossed out immediately and is no longer safe to eat.
If it’s not already soft on its own, then the chances are that shredded cheese with these signs will taste off (or even sour) too.
In contrast, if there are only small mold spots here and there—but otherwise look perfectly fine—you can likely salvage them by scraping off the surface layer before use.
Conclusion
Shredded cheese can last in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.
If you want to store shredded cheese longer, it’s best to freeze it and then thaw as needed.
You should also avoid storing shredding cheeses near strong-smelling foods such as fish or garlic, which will make them go bad faster.
We hope that this blog post has been helpful.
Let us know if there is anything else we can help with, and have a great day.
How Long Does Shredded Cheese Last? Does Shredded Cheese Go Bad?
Ingredients
- Shredded cheese
- Air-tight containers or Ziplock bags
- Labels and markers
Instructions
- Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
- Label your container with the content and date and keep track of how much you’re using!
- Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).
- If frozen, thaw in the fridge before use. Always check for signs of spoilage before using.
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