Sliced deli cheese typically lasts 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator once opened. However, there are a few factors that affect just how long that opened package of sliced deli cheese will stay fresh and safe to eat.
What affects how long deli cheese lasts once opened?
There are a few main things that affect the shelf life of sliced deli cheese:
- Type of cheese – Soft cheeses like brie and camembert spoil more quickly than hard cheeses like cheddar or swiss.
- Preservatives – Cheeses with added preservatives tend to last longer.
- Storage temperature – Cheese lasts longer when stored at colder fridge temperatures around 35-40°F.
- Moisture content – Low moisture cheeses like parmesan keep longer than soft, high moisture cheeses.
- Package date – Newly opened cheese will last longer than a package that has been open for awhile.
- Handling and contamination – Proper storage in a sealed container reduces mold growth and other contamination that shortens shelf life.
How to tell if deli cheese is bad
Here are some signs that indicate your sliced deli cheese has gone bad and should be discarded:
- Mold – Any mold, even just a few spots, is a sign the cheese should be thrown out.
- Dark or slimy areas – Discoloration or slimy texture indicates spoilage.
- Dried out Appearance – Cheese that is dried out, shriveled, or hard has lost quality.
- Unusual odors – Cheese gives off a sour, unpleasant smell when it spoils.
- Off flavor – Rancid, bitter, or unpleasant flavors mean the cheese has gone bad.
Maximizing freshness of deli cheese
To help sliced deli cheeses stay fresher for longer:
- Purchase cheese with farthest from expiration date.
- Keep cheese sealed until ready to use.
- Once opened, rewrap tightly in plastic wrap.
- Store deli cheeses separately from other foods.
- Keep cheese in the coldest part of the refrigerator, not the door.
- Use clean utensils to handle cheese.
- Don’t let cheese sit out at room temperature more than 2 hours.
Shelf life of different types of sliced deli cheese
The shelf life of deli cheese depends on the specific variety. Here is an overview of how long common types of sliced deli cheeses last once opened:
| Type of Cheese | Refrigerator Shelf Life When Opened |
|---|---|
| American Cheese | 3-4 weeks |
| Swiss Cheese | 3-4 weeks |
| Cheddar Cheese | 4-6 weeks |
| Monterey Jack | 2-3 weeks |
| Mozzarella | 1-2 weeks |
| Muenster | 3-4 weeks |
| Provolone | 4-6 weeks |
| Havarti | 2-3 weeks |
| Gouda | 4-6 weeks |
| Pepper jack | 2-3 weeks |
| Gruyere | 4-6 weeks |
| Blue cheese | 2-3 weeks |
| Goat cheese | 1-2 weeks |
| Brie | 1-2 weeks |
| Camembert | 1-2 weeks |
As you can see, hard cheeses like cheddar, gouda, and provolone tend to keep longer than softer varieties like brie. Processed cheeses with preservatives also tend to have a longer shelf life. But ultimately, how quickly the cheese spoils depends on storage conditions as well.
How to store deli cheese for maximum freshness
Proper storage is key to keeping sliced deli meats fresh longer. Here are some tips for storing deli cheese:
- Keep cheese tightly wrapped in its original deli packaging or plastic wrap if opened. This prevents drying out.
- Place cheese in a sealed container or plastic bag if storing for more than a few days. This protects against contamination from other fridge odors.
- Store cheese in the cheese drawer if your fridge has one. This keeps it colder than the door.
- If no drawer, store cheese on a lower shelf towards the back where temperatures are coldest.
- Keep different varieties of cheese separated so they don’t impart flavors to each other.
- Avoid storing cheese near foods with strong odors like onions or fish.
- Stack cheeses from shortest to longest shelf life with softer cheeses on top.
- Write the date opened on the package so you know when it was first unsealed.
Can you freeze deli cheese?
Most sliced deli cheeses can be frozen to extend their shelf life. Freezing stops the aging process and slows bacteria growth. Here are some guidelines for freezing deli cheese:
- Double wrap cheese tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag removing as much air as possible.
- Hard cheeses can typically be frozen for 2-3 months.
- Soft cheeses should only be frozen for 1-2 months as texture declines after that.
- Let cheese thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.
- Use frozen cheese within 1-2 weeks for best quality.
- Avoid freezing soft cheeses like brie or mozzarella more than once.
- Shred or slice cheese before freezing for easier use.
- Most cheese can be frozen but very soft varieties like ricotta do not freeze well.
How long does different types of packaged deli cheese last unopened?
When stored properly, most deli cheeses will stay fresh for several weeks to months past any sell-by or use-by date while still sealed in their original vacuum packaging. Here’s a general guide for how long common varieties last unopened:
| Type of Cheese | Unopened Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Cheddar | 3-6 months |
| Swiss | 3-6 months |
| Provolone | 3-6 months |
| Mozzarella | 1-2 months |
| American | 2-3 months |
| Muenster | 3-4 months |
| Monterey Jack | 2-3 months |
| Pepper Jack | 2-3 months |
| Havarti | 2-3 months |
| Gouda | 4-6 months |
| Brie | 1-2 weeks |
| Goat Cheese | 2-3 weeks |
| Blue Cheese | 2-3 months |
Hard cheeses last longer than soft varieties when kept sealed and refrigerated. And processed cheeses with preservatives tend to have a longer shelf life than natural cheeses. For maximum freshness, be sure to store deli cheeses at 35-40°F.
What are signs of spoiled deli cheese?
Some common signs that indicate your sealed deli cheese has spoiled before opening include:
- Mold – Don’t purchase cheese with any visible mold.
- Discoloration – Creamy white cheeses should not be yellow or brown.
- Dried out appearance – Cheese should not look hard or shriveled up.
- Strange odors – Cheese should not smell sour or unpleasant through the packaging.
- Past expiration date – Don’t buy cheese more than 1-2 weeks past the sell-by or use-by date.
- Torn or damaged packaging – This allows air exposure and spoilage.
Trust your senses – if the cheese smells off or shows any odd colors or textures, it’s best not to take a chance. When in doubt, it’s always safer to toss it out.
Does cooked deli cheese last longer?
Yes, cooking deli cheese extends the shelf life. Heating cheese to high temperatures kills bacteria and molds that cause spoilage. Here’s how long cooked deli cheese will last:
- Grilled cheese sandwich – 3-5 days refrigerated
- Baked macaroni and cheese – 5-7 days refrigerated
- Quesadillas – 3-5 days refrigerated
- Pizza – 3-5 days refrigerated
- Cheese sauce – 1 week refrigerated
Always store leftovers containing cheese in a sealed container within 2 hours of cooking. And consume within 3-7 days for food safety.
Reheating cooked cheese dishes until steaming hot before serving also helps kill off any bacteria that may form over time and extend the shelf life by a few extra days.
How to store deli cheese for optimal freshness
To get the longest possible shelf life out of your sliced deli cheeses:
- Purchase cheese with the furthest expiration date available.
- Inspect packaging to ensure it’s fully sealed with no tears or holes.
- Avoid pre-sliced cheeses, which have more exposed surface area.
- Keep refrigerated at all times at 35-40°F.
- Store in original deli packaging until ready to use. Once opened, rewrap tightly in plastic wrap.
- Place loose cheese slices in a sealed container or bag. Limit air exposure.
- Keep different cheese varieties separate to prevent flavor transfer.
- Store cheese towards the back of the fridge, not in the door where temperatures fluctuate.
- Follow “first-in, first-out” when using cheeses – oldest should be used first.
- Rinse knives and cutting boards after contact with strong-smelling foods to avoid odors transferring to cheese.
With proper refrigeration and minimal air exposure, most deli cheeses maintain peak quality and freshness for 1-2 weeks past the sell-by date when sealed, and 1-4 weeks after opening.
Conclusion
The shelf life of sliced deli cheese comes down to a variety of factors – cheese type, storage method, packaging, and handling. By purchasing fresh cheeses, keeping them properly refrigerated, and minimizing contamination, most varieties will stay fresh and tasty for 1-2 weeks once opened. Hard cheeses tend to last longer than soft cheeses. And unopened, vacuum-sealed packages can keep even longer, often for months past any sell-by date. Pay attention for signs of spoilage like mold, sliminess, or off-odors. With proper storage and handling, sliced deli cheese can maintain quality and taste for its full shelf life.
