How Long Is Unopened Feta Cheese Good For?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

An unopened package of crumbled feta cheese will have a shelf life of

about a week past the printed date

. Once opened, crumbled feta will only last in the refrigerator around five days, regardless of the date printed on the package.

How long is unopened crumbled feta cheese good for?

To maximize the shelf life of feta cheese crumbles, do not open the package until ready to use. Properly stored, an unopened package of feta cheese crumbles will last for

about 1 week after the “Sell By

” or “Best By” date on the package.

How long will unopened feta last in the fridge?

Properly stored, an unopened package of feta cheese in brine will last for

about 3 months

in the refrigerator.

How do you know when feta is expired?

Feta cheese is

likely to dry out in the refrigerator

. Once it becomes dry, hard and gritty, it should not be consumed. While it may still be safe to eat at this point, the texture and taste will be quite unpleasant.

How do you store feta cheese for a long time?

Keep feta

in the fridge

and sealed well. If you need to extend its life, submerge it in brine. If there is mold, or the cheese smells or tastes off, discard it. If the cheese sits in the fridge for a few days and its surface becomes dry, cut off the dry part and use the rest.

Can unopened feta cheese go bad?

Like all cheeses,

feta cheese can go bad

. … An unopened package of crumbled feta cheese will have a shelf life of about a week past the printed date. Once opened, crumbled feta will only last in the refrigerator around five days, regardless of the date printed on the package.

Can you get food poisoning from feta?

You can get very sick from

raw (unpasteurized) milk and products made with it

, including soft cheeses (such as queso fresco, blue-veined, feta, brie and camembert), ice cream, and yogurt. That’s because raw milk can carry harmful germs, including Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella.

Why is my feta slimy?

+ Why has my feta gone slimy in the brine? This can be due to two factors. Either

the brine solution has a lower calcium level than the feta, leeching calcium out of the cheese

, causing it to become slimy, or the cheese acidity is higher than that of the brine again, leeching calcium from the cheese.

Can you eat moldy feta?

“According to the USDA, the molds used to make these cheeses

are safe to eat

. … Soft cheeses—which include anything from a crumbled cheese such as feta to ricotta to even cottage cheese or chèvre—must be tossed out if there is any trace of mold—no exceptions.

Should feta be stored in water?

Store the leftover feta

in the brine

, making sure the cheese is covered completely. The brine is also the flavoring agent that gives feta its salty punch, so if the feta you’ve picked up is already super salty, simply storing it in plain water will help keep its crumbly texture without adding any unnecessary flavor.

Can feta cheese be stored at room temperature?

Like most cheeses,

feta cheese should not be left out at room temperature

. … The longer time is attributed to feta cheese having a high salt content. It is more likely to dry out than spoil within that 6 hours.

Should you rinse feta cheese?

Feta dries out quickly when removed from its brine, so always store feta in the brine it is packed in (we do not recommend buying precrumbled “dry” feta). One final note: It’s a good idea

to rinse feta packed in brine just before serving to remove excess salt

.

Is feta supposed to smell?

Whether it’s crumbly, hard, and dry, or soft, moist, and creamy, good feta should

taste and smell fresh

. Compared to most cheeses, feta has a pronounced but pleasing acidic tang. If it smells or tastes overly sour, or if it has developed a peppery aftertaste, it’s probably over the hill.

How do you store feta cheese in the freezer?

If you’re freezing feta for the short term (like up to a couple of weeks), just

throw it into a freezer bag

. If you suspect it might sit in the freezer for longer, wrap it with plastic wrap, and then chuck into a bag. Remove as much air from the bag as you can and seal it tightly.

How do you store feta cheese in water?

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. The feta will keep up to 3 weeks.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.