How Long Does Feta Cheese Last? | Cook's Illustrated (2024)

FAQs

How Long Does Feta Cheese Last? | Cook's Illustrated? ›

How Long Does Feta Last? According to Sommer, feta packed in liquid salt brine can last for as long as 6 months if stored correctly: You can keep the cheese in its original container, but be sure that the block is completely submerged in brine and that care has been taken to avoid contamination.

Although unopened feta can last for as long as six months in the fridge, as soon as you open it, this timeframe shortens to only seven days. Thankfully, extending the shelf life of this dairy product is as simple as storing it in olive oil after opening, which can maintain its freshness for two to three weeks.

If you have high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, or diabetes, you may need to limit or even avoid eating feta cheese. Contains lactose: Feta cheese is unripened, meaning that it contains more lactose than matured cheese. As a result, you may need to avoid it if you are lactose intolerant or allergic.

Fill half of the jar with sunflower oil and the other half with olive oil, until the feta is covered. Seal the jar airtight with its lid and store the feta in the refrigerator.

REFRIGERATOR: Approximate storage times are: (1) Hard cheeses (block): 6 months, unopened packages; 3 to 4 weeks after opening. Shredded hard cheeses: 1 month after opening. (2) Soft cheeses: 1 week; cream cheese, 2 weeks.

Storage: Marinated feta should last in the fridge for 2 to 3 weeks or so, if stored properly in a tight-lid jar with the top of the cheese is always covered with olive oil. Save the leftover olive oil! Visit Our Shop for quality Mediterranean ingredients including extra virgin olive oils and spices.

You can freeze feta cheese but once thawed it will become drier and crumblier, so it's best to use it in cooking. To freeze, leave it whole or cut into desired shape and sizes. Place into a freezer bag and expel air. You can leave it in the freezer for up to two months.

Feta cheese can spoil due to factors like exposure to air, moisture, or improper storage conditions. Mold growth is a common issue, especially when feta is stored in its brine.

Feta: Goat feta, known for its crumbly texture and tangy flavor profile, can last up to four weeks when stored in brine within the refrigerator.

Since Feta is also made with bacterial culture, it has a built-in fighting chance with contamination or residual minority bacteria in the cheese to outgrow the good ones. In proper storage condition and changing brine solution, Feta can be kept in good condition for up to a year.

Is feta cheese good for you? ›

While feta cheese provides you with an excellent source of nutrients like calcium and protein, it also contains high amounts of sodium and saturated fat. Feta is lower in fat than many other cheeses, however, and is considered a reasonable option to eat in moderation.

Signs Your Feta Has Gone Bad

If you notice your feta has picked up a funny taste, like if it's overly sour or suddenly has bitter notes, this means that something's not right. Additionally, noticeable signs of mold growth, such as dark or green discoloration on the cheese, are clues that something is amiss.

And if longevity is what you're after, you're best off skipping dry packed versions of feta altogether. Once those packages are open, it's best to use the product within a week or so.

Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Parmesan and Gouda have a lower moisture content, which helps extend their shelf life. Hard cheeses that haven't been opened can last for several months and even up to a year when stored in the fridge.

The best way to extend the shelf-life of feta cheese is to preserve it in olive oil. Add in some of your favorite herbs and spices to make it extra special. This method will keep the creamy cheese fresh for at least two weeks in the refrigerator.

Generally, feta cheese should not be left unrefrigerated for more than two hours. This is because feta cheese is a perishable dairy product that can promote bacterial growth at room temperature. Extended exposure to warm temperatures increases the risk of contamination and spoilage, compromising its quality and safety.

For maximum freshness; Feta cheese should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container, with the brine being changed every few days. If you're not going to eat it within a few days, put it in the freezer for longer-term storage, where it can last for up to 6 months.

Dissolve 2 tsp. salt in 1 cup water in an airtight container, then submerge the cheese in the water. The feta must be completely covered, so make more brine if you don't have enough. Seal the container and refrigerate it.

With white, fuzzy mold, tinged with green, the flavor effect is minimal and the mold can be safely cut away without incident. Black or gray mold is less desirable, and you should cut away more of it to remove any cheese that might be impacted.

In general, hand-crafted cheeses with delicate flavors and aromas don't freeze well and are best bought in smaller portions and eaten fresh. Freezing is also not recommended for fresh curd cheeses like cottage cheese, ricotta, and quark due to their high moisture content.

Is feta OK after a week? ›

Soft cheeses Opened soft cheeses like Brie, goat's cheese, mozzarella and feta are more perishable and typically last for a week to a few weeks in the refrigerator. Opened fresh cheeses like ricotta and cottage cheese have an even shorter shelf life and are best consumed within a week or two of opening.

Processed cheese: Processed cheese, such as American cheese and cheese slices, should be stored in the original packaging or wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store in the refrigerator and consume within one week of opening.

Soft cheese (cream cheese) will last up to two weeks, whereas a medium or hard cheese (cheddar) can last three to six months.

Once the package is opened, use pre-sliced cheeses within 5-7 days. If you purchase freshly sliced deli cheese, use within 5-7 days of purchase for best quality.