When you want to use cheese, you don’t just use the block of cheese without shredding it. Due to this, many people prefer to buy more than a block of cheese. So, how long does shredded cheese last?
How long shredded cheese last depends on the type you buy and how you store it. Soft shredded cheeses don’t last without the refrigerator, while hard shredded cheese can. When you store it in the fridge, it can last for up to three months or more. But if you store it at room temperature, it will last only a few hours.
Some shredded cheese comes with expiry dates, but some do not. This expiration also determines how long the shredded cheese will last. However, it doesn’t matter if your shredded cheese has an expiration date or not. It will last longer when you keep it in the fridge or freezer. In this article, you’ll learn more about how long shredded cheese lasts and how to store it properly.
How Long Will Shredded Cheese Keep In The Fridge?
Shredded cheese can keep in the fridge for as long as one month or more, depending on how long you want to keep it. However, shredded cheese only stays fresh for a few days. When it stays up to a month or more, it will become thawed, and you’ll only be able to use it for cooked dishes and not eat or use it for raw foods.
Cheese is more like a life food item. The reason is that the more it stays in the fridge, the more the texture changes. While most cheeses have expiration dates on the pack, there’s no specific day that the cheese will turn from edible to sore and unsafe for consumption.
Hard cheeses have lower water and high salt content. This lower moisture content makes it easy for them to last longer than soft cheese. Because of its texture, if a mold forms on it, you can simply cut out that part and still use your cheese. If you store it well, It can last up to 4 or 6 months.
Semi-soft cheeses have a creamy texture and can melt quickly. They contain 50% of water content. They’re of different types – Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Stilton, etc. if you store them inside the freezer, they can last 2 – 4 weeks.
Soft cheeses are highly perishable because they contain a high water content. Sometimes, you could store it in the fridge, and it will still get spoilt. So, when you want to know how long it lasts, don’t just rely on the expiry date on the pack. Soft cheese lasts for 6 – 7 days inside the fridge.
How Long Does Shredded Cheddar Cheese Last In The Fridge?
Although cheddar is a hard cheese that can stay for a while without the refrigerator, if the pack is open, it can last in the fridge for 5 or 7 days. But, if it’s unopened, it can last up to three months or more. Asides from lasting long in the fridge, bacteria can quickly grow on shredded cheddar cheese if it stays out too long at room temperature.
To further extend the life of your shredded cheddar cheese, you can store it in the freezer. If you store with the right storage method, it will last as long as 8 months. However, it will lose its texture and color because the longer cheddar cheese stays, the more it loses its color and texture. It will only be best for cooked dishes.
Why Does Shredded Cheese Say Use Within 5 Days?
Most shredded cheese likely spoils within 5 days, especially when the pack is open. So the 5 days maximum is to avoid spoilage. However, if you store your cheese inside the fridge, it can last up to 7 seven days when open.
Cheese is of two types – soft and hard. So, when you see the inscription “use within 5 days” it may be a hard cheese. Soft cheese can last for 4 months when unopened, and 1 – 2 weeks when opened. While hard cheese can only last for 4 – 5 days when opened.
How Can I Store Shredded Cheese To Make It Last?
When you want to store your cheese to make it last, put it inside a plastic bag and store it in the fridge. You can also store it inside the freezer, but you should avoid it because it’s not good for the cheese to be blocked.
You can buy shredded cheese every time you need it because it will save you the stress of buying it every time you want to use it. But, if you don’t want to go through the stress of buying every time, you can buy in bulk and store it.
Here are several ways to store your shredded cheese to make it last.
Spacing
Because shredded cheese can quickly absorb flavours from other food items, ensure that you space it from other food items inside the fridge when storing. If you don’t have a separate compartment inside your fridge, putting it inside a vegetable crisper will work just fine.
Wrapping
- Get an airtight plastic bag.
- Wrap the cheese on parchment paper.
- Place them inside the airtight plastic bag and seal them. Ensure not to seal it completely to let in small air.
- Put it into your fridge.
Container
If you’re storing your shredded cheese inside a container, place it at the bottom of your fridge. This will help retain the moist and its position.
If you don’t have plans of using your cheese all at once, buy a small quantity that’s enough to last you. You can store it in the fridge if you are still buying and storing it. Storing shredded cheese inside a freezer is cool, but there’s a problem.
Easy Tater Tot Casserole
Equipment
- Large skillet
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Mixing spoon or spatula
- Oven
- Cooking spray or butter
- Knife and cutting board.
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can (10.75 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 bag (32 ounces) frozen tater tots
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain any excess grease.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until the onions become translucent and the garlic becomes fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the condensed cream of mushroom soup, shredded cheddar cheese, milk, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are combined and the cheese is melted.
- Transfer the ground beef mixture into the greased baking dish and spread it evenly.
- Arrange the frozen tater tots in a single layer on top of the ground beef mixture. Ensure the tots cover the entire surface of the casserole.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until the tater tots are golden brown and crispy.
- Once the casserole is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions, if desired, and serve hot.
Video
Final Thoughts
Cheese is known as a live food time, and the longer it stays, the shorter its shell life reduces. However, some people buy in large bulk and use it for business. If this is your case, storing it in the freezer isn’t advisable because it will become thawed and lose its freshness.
If you are still inside of buying in large quantities, the best place to store it to make it last long is in the fridge.
