Of all the cheeses to choose from, we think the creamy, tangy taste of goat cheese is one of the most underrated. Thankfully, goat cheese, also known as chevre, is becoming more popular and easier to find in American kitchens, restaurants, and even at the farmer’s market. But, how long does goat cheese last? The answer to this question depends on the steps you take to keeping goat cheese fresh.
Every single day, growing amounts of people discover how delightful the taste of goat cheese is. As the demand for it rises, hundreds of recipes are coming out that are starting to showcase the flavor of the cheese and other soft cheeses.
Most chefs don’t have to ask how long is goat cheese good for in restaurants because they use it up so quickly. However, this is not the case for us who like to cook at home.
- How does Goat Cheese Differ from Other Cheeses?
- Tips for Keeping Goat Cheese Fresh
How does Goat Cheese Differ from Other Cheeses?
Goat cheese comes in different flavors and textures, and the shelf life depends on multiple circumstances. We often ask ourselves how long does goat cheese last in the fridge, or how long can goat cheese sit out?
If you find yourself asking these types of food questions, you’ll be happy to know that you’ve stumbled across the perfect article.
When you think of cheese, one of the first ones that might come to mind is cheddar, Swiss, or some other hard cheese type. What about Parmesan cheese? How long does Parmesan last? All these cheeses last for a long time. Does cheese go bad even after storing it? Unfortunately, yes.
However, even if they start to grow mold, it’s often safe to cut off the bad parts and use the rest. This is not true for fresh goat cheese and other soft cheeses, though.
Soft cheeses aren’t the most popular to choose from, but they are often packed full of bold and creamy flavors and textures.
Besides goat cheese, some of the most prevalent types of soft cheeses are bloomy rind, brie, mozzarella, blue cheese, feta, ricotta, cream cheese, and camembert. Can blue cheese go bad? How do you tell?
As the milk cheeses go through the cheese-making process, a liquid called whey is removed and leaves behind curds. These curds from goat’s milk or cow’s milk are either aged or served fresh.
How long does cream cheese last once opened, as well as goat cheese? You can usually keep opened cheeses like this for about a week in the fridge. You can tell if cream cheese is bad by an off smell and a dried out texture or moldy appearance.
Tips for Keeping Goat Cheese Fresh
It’s hard to resist spreadable, creamy cheese like fresh or aged goat cheese. Although it contains lactose like cheese from cow’s milk, goat cheese is often lower in fat, cholesterol, and calories.
It has more calcium than many cow’s milk products, and despite it being lower in calories and fat, it has a mature and bold flavor.
Knowing how to keep goat cheese fresh will make the difference between you enjoying the taste of your products and having to toss it out before you get to use it.
How Long is Goat Cheese Good for?
With all of this in mind, how long does goat cheese last? Goat cheese used to be in-season during the spring. Now that the demand for it has skyrocketed, it’s possible to buy goat cheese at the grocery store or farmers market throughout the year.
Goat cheese can either be served fresh or ripened. Aged goat cheese tends to have a longer shelf life than fresh, but they both get stored in similar ways.
Before learning some tips on keeping goat cheese fresh, it’s essential to know what you’re looking for when you buy it. Goat cheese is similar to bread or wine, meaning that you should enjoy it once you crack it open.
Fresh goat cheese should be more firm than mushy and free of excess liquid or leakage.
You won’t be able to tell the freshness of the cheese if already wrapped, but some cheesemongers let you look at it and taste it before taking it home. Avoid any off putting colors, smells, or molds when purchasing goat cheese from the store.
How Long does Goat Cheese Last at Room Temperature?
How long can cheese stay out of the fridge? Like all other cheeses, you must not store goat cheese at room temperature. Bacteria start to multiply at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F. If you have had goat cheese sitting out for more than two hours, discard it.
Consuming dairy products that sit out for too long may cause you to get sick or have food poisoning. It’s always safe to err on the side of caution and toss out anything you’re unsure of with food products.
How Long does Goat Cheese Last in the Fridge?
Goat cheese requires humidity but also needs to breathe. While plastic wrap is fine, it is not an ideal way to store goat cheese in the fridge. The same applies to the best way to store blue cheese.
Vacuum-sealed goat cheese from the store lasts for up to two months when unopened. Always check the expiration date posted on the packaging if you’re unsure how long it has been in your refrigerator.
Once you open the packaging, find a safe way to store it. The best way to store goat cheese in the fridge is to wrap it in wax paper and gently place it in a plastic or glass airtight container.
Sometimes the goat cheese has a rind and doesn’t require you to wrap it in wax paper before putting it into the storage container. Cheese stored this way often lasts up to two weeks in the fridge.
Other Ways to Keep Goat Cheese Fresh in the Fridge
If you’re out of wax or parchment paper, then it is okay to use plastic wrap.
Plastic wrap isn’t ideal because it doesn’t let the cheese breathe and becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and mold, but it is far safer than storing it at room temperature or not wrapping it at all.
To maximize the shelf life of unwrapped goat cheese, wrap the cheese tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. The goat cheese lasts for one to two weeks this way. Always be sure to check for signs of spoilage before eating any goat cheese from the fridge.
How to Freeze Goat Cheese
The freezer is one of the most loved places in the kitchen because it keeps our food fresh for months at a time. You may wonder about freezing different foods. How long does frozen butter last? What about strawberries? Freezing possibilities are almost endless.
Does goat cheese freeze well? Goat cheese lasts for up to six months in the freezer, just like when you freeze feta, but it is best to eat it within a couple of months because the flavor is so much better.
If you plan to store goat cheese in the freezer, leave it in its original packaging if possible. If not, wrap all of the cheese in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer bag for storage.
When you’re ready to eat the cheese, thaw it overnight in your refrigerator. The texture might be slightly compromised, but it will still have a nice tangy flavor.
Utilizing Goat Cheese in New Ways
You’d be surprised at how many things you can do with goat cheese. We think it’s fun to take the intense flavor and turn it into something you wouldn’t expect.
Whether a sauce or dessert, there are tons of things to do with goat cheese in the kitchen. Goat cheese pesto is one of those unique recipes and it pairs wonderfully with chicken and pasta.
Put the cheese pesto ingredients into a clean food processor and pulse it a few times. Process the ingredients until you get a smooth consistency and everything is thoroughly combined.
Turning Goat Cheese into Dessert
You wouldn’t think that goat cheese would make for a delectable dessert. Adding goat cheese to a cheesecake recipe is a great way to surprise friends and family and look like a mastermind in the kitchen.
Heat your oven to 350°F and set the pie crust aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and goat cheeses together until it has a light and fluffy texture.
Beat in the crème fraiche or sour cream and then one egg at a time until everything is thoroughly combined. Beat in the sugar and vanilla next until everything is smooth and creamy. Pour the filling into the store-bought pie crust and put it on a baking sheet.
Put the cheesecake and baking sheet in your preheated oven and bake it for 55 to 60 minutes. Remove the goat cheese cheesecake from the oven and let it cool completely before serving.
Goat cheese is growing in popularity and becoming one of the most versatile ingredients in the kitchen. Keeping goat cheese fresh ensures that you get to savor every last bite of this delicious and unique food product.
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