There is nothing quite like the strong smell and flavor of blue cheese, and we love using it as a burger topping, dressing, and dip. Unfortunately, cheese does not last as long as we’d like, and we can’t always eat it up fast enough before it spoils. What’s the ideal way to store this cheese, and how long does blue cheese last before it goes bad?
Blue cheese is unique from many other kinds of cheese. It has cultures from the mold Penicillium, which creates the famous spots and veins of the cheese, and they vary in shades of green mold and blue mold. This edible mold also gives the cheese its characteristic taste, smell, and crumbly or creamy texture.
This type of cheese is made from unpasteurized milk, so pregnant women should avoid eating it due to the increased risk of listeria poisoning. Fortunately, it’s safe for the rest of us to enjoy as long as it’s stored correctly.
Ways to Store and Prepare Blue Cheese
There are many cheese types to enjoy, from brie and cream cheese to feta and blue cheese. While blue cheese contains an edible mold, nobody wants to eat the wrong kind of moldy cheese. When is blue cheese bad?
Fortunately, keeping blue cheese fresh is simple if you use the right storage method. How long is blue cheese good for? Learn how to store this cheese in the fridge, how long it lasts, and ways to tell when it’s spoiled.
Discover tips for freezing blue cheese for extended storage and a simple recipe for using up leftover cheese.
How Long is Blue Cheese Good for at Room Temperature?
The fridge is always the proper place to keep cheese, but there are times when keeping cheese at room temperature is necessary, like during a family gathering. How long is blue cheese good for on the counter?
Room Temperature Blue Cheese
We’ve all had parties or been to a party at one time or another, and it’s common to put out food such as crackers and the creamy part of blue cheese. How long can blue cheese sit out at room temperature?
Blue cheese is only safe to leave out of the fridge even if it’s in the rind or unopened for up to four hours, so it’s best to keep it refrigerated as long as possible before serving it on the counter or table.
Keeping Blue Cheese Fresh in the Refrigerator
Refrigeration is best for keeping blue cheese fresh, but how long does blue cheese last in the fridge? How long does fresh mozzarella last? The temps in the fridge help keep cheese longer.
Find out how to keep blue cheese fresh in the refrigerator, how long it lasts, and ways to tell if the cheese is no longer edible.
There are many types of blue cheese created by cheesemakers, but there are four classics – Italian Gorgonzola, French Roquefort, Spanish Cabrales, and English Stilton.
Grocery store cheeses often come marked with an expiration date, while fresh cheese from the deli does not always have a date stamp. It’s important to note when you purchase the cheese and store blue cheese properly to help the cheese last longer.
For the best quality and the best way to store cheese, keep the cheese in its original packaging in the crisper drawer of your fridge, and do not open it until you are ready. Then, wrap the cheese in parchment paper or wax paper to allow it to breathe, and place it in an opened storage bag.
Do not wrap the cheese in plastic wrap and avoid storing it next to other cheeses or foods since the cheese’s mold spores may contaminate them.
An unopened package of blue cheese in wedge or wheel form lasts one to two weeks beyond the sell-by date. How long does goat cheese last once opened? What about blue cheese? Opening the cheese causes it to expire faster, and it is only fresh for up to four weeks.
Crumbled blue cheeses do not last as long and stay fresh for two to three weeks after the sell-by date and only one week after opening.
Store-bought blue cheese dressing has a shelf life of nine to twelve months, and opening the bottle doesn’t alter the storage time by much.
However, a freshly opened bottle of dressing tastes better than one sitting in the refrigerator for a couple of months, and the expiration date varies depending on the manufacturer.
Pink, yellow, green, or brown colored flesh, fuzzy mold, and an ammonia-like smell are all common signs of spoilage, indicating that the cheese is ready for the trash.
How Long does Blue Cheese Last in the Freezer?
Can you freeze cheese, and how long does blue cheese last when it’s frozen? While the texture changes after freezing, it’s possible to freeze blue cheese for use in cooked recipes later.
To freeze a cheese wedge or wheel, start by cutting it into desired pieces. Consider how you plan on using the cheese in the future and cube, slice, or grate it, or leave it in large chunks. Remember that the smaller the sizes, the quicker they thaw.
To freeze whole blue cheese in its original packaging, wrap it in aluminum foil and put it in a freezer bag first for extra protection.
To freeze part of the cheese in small pieces, flash freeze them in a layer on a cooking sheet before transferring them into freezer-safe bags or an airtight container.
Frozen blue cheeses last six months to a year. To defrost the cheese, move it from the freezer to the fridge for safe thawing.
How to Make Homemade Salad Dressing with Blue Cheese
There are many ways to incorporate blue cheese in appetizers and meals. However, we love making homemade blue cheese dressing for dipping chicken wings and fresh veggies. This dressing recipe is quick and simple to make and tastier than many store-bought varieties.
Whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl and fold in the crumbled blue cheese.
Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for eight hours or overnight to rest. Pour the blue cheese dressing into a storage container, store it in the fridge, and use it for salad, buffalo wings, or steak.
We love using bleu cheese to make a homemade dressing, and a charcuterie board isn’t complete without a wedge of blue cheese.
However, fresh blue cheese doesn’t last very long at room temperature and has a limited shelf life in the fridge. Fortunately, it’s possible to freeze this cheese for use in cooked dishes in the future.
How long does blue cheese last is a common question, and knowing the answer means that you get to eat fresh cheese for your favorite recipes, so why not share our blue cheese storage tips and guide with the cheese-lovers in your life on Pinterest and Facebook?