While feta cheese can be frozen and reconstituted, the shelf life is considerably shorter than that of fresh cheese. When unopened, brined feta cheese can keep for up to six months, while unbrined feta will last about five days after opening. To prolong its shelf life, feta cheese should not be wrapped in plastic but stored in a container with cold water.
How Long can Feta Last in the Fridge?
In both forms, opened leftover feta can be stored in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.
However, you can extend the shelf life of opened feta blocks by storing them in their brine or adding crumbled feta.
Additionally, leftover feta blocks can be stored in olive oil for about two weeks.
In the Freezer
You may freeze feta in either form for up to 3 months if you want to keep it fresher longer.
The cheese is typically safe to consume after three months, but the quality will gradually deteriorate.
Freezing your feta will alter its flavor and texture, as with most dairy products. But after around three months, there are barely any differences. You might not even notice if you’re not paying attention.
Your feta might be less salty, drier, and crumblier. It will nevertheless function nicely in your favorite dishes. In hot recipes, defrosted feta is extremely tasty.
Can you Freeze Feta Cheese?
It is not advised to store feta cheese by freezing. The cheese’s flavor and texture will slightly alter as a result. However, rather than tossing the cheese out, this is a fantastic method to preserve it.
If you know you won’t be using feta cheese for a week or more and don’t want to preserve it in oil or a saline solution; freezing is your next-best option.
Both feta blocks and crumbled feta can be frozen. The methods of freezing are slightly different. But the fundamental guidelines apply to both types of feta equally. To begin with, sift the feta before freezing. To prevent freezer burn, you should also cover the cheese tightly.
Frozen feta cheese blocks should be wrapped in plastic and placed in a Ziploc container before freezing. Cut the feta before freezing if you want to use it in salads or other dishes that call for cubes.
If you want to make thawing feta crumbles easier, you can freeze it in several smaller quantities. Ensure the feta is properly wrapped and not exposed to oxygen before storing it in an airtight container or a plastic bag. If not, the cheese will quickly dry out, and you’ll have to throw it away.
How to Defrost Feta Cheese?
Place the feta cheese in the refrigerator to begin the defrosting process. It’s not a good idea to thaw frozen feta cheese at room temperature.
If necessary, place the cheese under cold running water to hasten the defrosting process.
Remember that feta cheese won’t have as strong of a flavor after it has defrosted. Due to freezing and defrosting, it will also be crumblier. The good news is that it will still be usable.
How to Tell if Feta Cheese is Bad?
How do you tell if your feta cheese is bad and when to throw it away?
Feta cheese, unfortunately, spoils, just like other types of cheese. As feta cheese ages, it dries out more and more. After a while in the fridge, your feta cheese might become hard and flavorless. It is best to avoid eating it because it won’t be enjoyable to do so.
Since feta cheese is a type of cheese, it, too, is easily susceptible to mold. People frequently scrape the mold off with other cheeses to extend shelf life, but this is not advised for feta cheese.
It is best not to eat feta cheese that has dried out, smells unpleasant, has visible mold, or has changed color if it is in an open container or your refrigerator.
If you want to know if the leftovers in your fridge should be thrown out, look for the following indicators.
- Throw away the feta cheese if it has become hard and abrasive due to drying out. Even if the cheese may not yet be harmful, it won’t taste good.
- Mold growth or black specks are signs of contamination. You can use the remaining feta cheese after removing about an inch. High moisture will, however, cause contaminants to spread more quickly throughout the soft cheese. So it would probably be best to throw it away.
- Your feta cheese has gone bad if it has a sour odor.
- If you brined your cheese, slimy or dark liquid indicates that it has spoiled.
- It is preferable to discard the feta blocks if they become crumbly to the touch and lose their texture.
- Throw aside the feta cheese if the flavor changes or slightly changes color.
Because some feta cheeses are made with raw milk, they are more likely to be contaminated. Additionally, it will quickly go bad since it is a soft cheese.
Therefore, regardless of the product’s best-by date, it is best to discard it if you notice any of the above changes.
How Long does Feta Cheese Last Unopened?
Due to the salt, it contains, feta cheese has a relatively short shelf life and spoils very quickly.
If you purchase feta cheese that’s been opened, it can only be stored in the refrigerator for three days.
The cheese then starts to lose flavor and dry out.
It may have been on the shelves for weeks or even months if you buy feta cheese from your neighborhood supermarket.
However, if you purchase it from a deli or specialty food store, chances are good that it was freshly prepared when you made your purchase.
For example, if you buy a block of feta cheese sitting on the supermarket shelf for several weeks, it probably won’t taste as good as a block freshly made and shipped overnight to your home.
Similar reasoning applies to other hard cheeses stored for a while; they won’t be as tasty as recently made and packaged blocks.
Be at ease, though!
Feta cheese can be preserved to taste great even after a long period.
How Long does Feta Cheese Last After its Expiration Date?
Greek cuisine is known for its soft, salty, crumbly feta cheese.
It is frequently used as a topping or ingredient on salads, pasta, and other dishes because of its tart flavor and hint of bitterness.
The Greek word “feta,” which means “curdled milk,” is where the name “feta” originates.
When cheese is made, salt separates the curds from the whey before the curd is put into molds.
Hard cheeses like feta, mozzarella, and parmesan are produced through this process.
Rennet is added to cow or goat milk to make feta cheese.
An enzyme called rennet can be found in the stomach lining of goats and calves.
The curds and liquid whey separate from the milk as it thickens.
The curds are cut into cubes, pressed, salted, and aged until they have the desired texture and flavor.
Other names for feta cheese include brine cheese, Greek feta, and Bulgarian feta.
While some varieties use sheep’s milk rather than cow’s, others might include additional ingredients like herbs or spices.
Feta cheese should never be left out in the open because it is so fragile.
It will remain fresh for up to three weeks in the refrigerator, so if possible, store it there.
However, as soon as the cheese starts to go bad, it is best to eat it immediately.
You can freeze feta cheese if you don’t plan to consume it right away.
Wrap it in plastic and freeze it for up to three months.
Frozen feta cheese can be defrosted in the refrigerator overnight or a low-power microwave for 10 to 20 seconds.
What is the Best Way to Store Feta Cheese?
Since feta cheese isn’t meant to be kept in the refrigerator, it doesn’t have a set expiration date.
It should be stored away from direct sunlight and at room temperature (50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit).
Your cheese will become mushy and lose some flavor if you store it in the refrigerator.
After purchasing feta cheese, it must be consumed within two months.
Wrapping it in plastic wrap will increase its lifespan.
This will lessen the cheese’s likelihood of wetness, which could lead to mold growth.
There are specific ways to extend the shelf life of your feta cheese if you want to use it in recipes that aren’t intended for it.
For instance, you could place it in a freezer bag on top of an airtight container to freeze it.
You could also use a food dehydrator to dry it out.
Feta cheese can also be preserved by adding salt.
Feta cheese’s shelf life can be extended by two weeks by adding 1/4 teaspoon of salt to every cup of cheese.
Feta cheese is best if it is tightly wrapped in plastic and kept in the refrigerator until you are ready to eat it.
Conclusion
Popular cheese called feta is used in a variety of dishes. It is frequently crumbled over food and has a tangy and salty flavor. Cows, sheep, or goats are used to make feta cheese.
If kept in the refrigerator, feta cheese can be kept for about two weeks after it has expired.
Feta cheese should be wrapped in plastic or placed in a freezer bag if you want to freeze it.
Up to six months of feta cheese storage in the freezer is possible.
When feta cheese is ready to be used, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
It’s crucial to follow the storage instructions whether you’re using fresh or frozen feta cheese to ensure that it stays tasty and fresh. Take advantage of this delicious ingredient in your favorite dishes.
