How Long Does String Cheese Last? Best Way To Store String Cheese

How Do You Know When String Cheese Is Bad?

So you got string cheese from the grocery store the other day, and now it seems you got too much of it. You are faced with either discarding the leftovers or preserving them. So how long does string cheese last? 

How long your string cheese lasts depends on the type of cheese and if it is open or unopened. Open cheese will last for 4-5 days in the fridge, while it will last for 8 to 10 hours if it is outside the fridge. Unopened cheese will last for about 7 days in the fridge and longer in the freezer. 

You don’t have to toss your string cheese if your kid(s) can’t finish it, so keep reading this article to discover more about how to store your string cheese, identify when it is bad, and the duration it can be stored.   

How Long Does String Cheese Last In Fridge?

A pack of opened string cheese will last in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Outside the fridge, it can stay for 8 to 10 hours before it spoils. If your string cheese is unopened, it can stay in the fridge for about 7 days. Frozen string cheese will last for up to 2 months.

Ensure to consume your string cheese within the prescribed duration so it will not go bad. Better still, buy the quantity of string cheese you can finish in a day to avoid wastage. Also, always confirm the “best before” date before consuming it. 

How Long Does String Cheese Last Past Expiration Date?

After expiration, string cheese can stay up to 7 to 14 days. However, this depends on what is stated on the cheese pack. To ensure that you don’t consume spoiled cheese, observe the cheese to check for color or texture changes or if molds are growing on the cheese already.

An expired product will lose its quality; some may change flavor or texture. This applies to cheese as well. Endeavor to consume your string cheese within its best quality window. However, if you cannot finish it, you can freeze it to last longer. 

How Do I Know When String Cheese Has Gone Bad?

String cheeses are not immune to spoilage. Some cheeses will go bad quickly, especially soft cheeses, while hard cheeses will last a little longer. Changes in texture, taste, and odor are changes you will notice in your cheese when it has gone bad. 

Below is a list of changes on your string cheese when it has gone bad. 

1. Mold Growth

Mold growth is an indication that the string cheese has gone bad. If you see any colored spots on the string cheese, know that the cheese is bad, and you should toss it without a second thought.

2. Texture Of String Cheese Will Change

A string cheese that has gone bad will not remain the same again. The texture may become slimy or watery, and it will not be healthy for consumption. If you think your string cheese has gone bad, examine its texture. Any change in texture could be a spoilage sign. 

3. Offensive Odor

When string cheese has gone bad, the odor changes to an offensive one. If your string cheese has developed an odor different from the usual, it’s a sign that it is bad. You will have to discard it. 

4. Change In Taste

Your string cheese may not grow mold or have a foul odor, but its taste may change. A string cheese that has spoiled will have a change in change. If your string cheese is no longer flavorful, you should not consume it. 

What Is The Best Way To Store String Cheese?

The best way you can store string cheese is by freezing it. Although you can refrigerate it, putting it in the freezer will extend the string cheese’s lifespan than refrigerating it. You should know that keeping your string cheese in the freezer for a long time will alter its texture and flavor.

How To Freeze String Cheese

After you know that the best way to store your string cheese is to freeze it, how do you go about it? First, if your string cheese is already in a pack, just put it in a freezer bag and then into the freezer.   

Follow the step below to freeze your string cheese.

Step 1: Put cheese string cheese in a bag, preferably an airtight bag. You can also put it in a container. String cheeses that are exposed to air will dry and become hard. Also, if string cheeses are plenty, you can share them in bags. 

Step 2: Tag the bags before putting them in the freezer.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some frequently asked questions

How Long Will String Cheese Last After Opening

Once you have opened your string cheese, it will last 8 to 10 hours before it goes bad. If your string cheese exceeds this time frame, it will grow mold; the flavor and cheese quality will change. 

Can string cheese be left out for 24hrs?

The answer to this question depends on whether the string cheese is open or unopened. An unopened string cheese will last above 24 hours and even up to 7 days. However, if you have opened it, it should not exceed 8 to 10 hours without refrigerating it. An opened string cheese stays in the fridge for 2-3 days. 

Can string cheese be left unrefrigerated?

Yes and no. You can only leave unopened string cheese unrefrigerated for a few days. You must refrigerate opened ones within 8 hours of opening them.

What Happens If You Eat Expired String Cheese?

You will not get sick if you eat expired cheese. Expired cheese can last up to 7 to 14 days. Therefore, if your expired string cheese is within the 7 to 14 days window frame, you can consume it. But you must check for spoilage signs like mold growth, texture change, or taste change.

Conclusion

Now you know what to do with your string cheese when you have leftovers, so go ahead and get as much string cheese as you want. None of it is going to waste if you follow the information in this article.

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