How long can unopened cheese stay out of the fridge?
After opening a block of cheese the refrigerator is the ideal place to store it. However, cheese can stay out of the fridge for a few days before it begins to go bad. Cheese left out on the counter will usually keep well for about five to seven days.
Cheese can be left out at room temperature for up to two weeks, as long as it’s sealed in an airtight container and placed in the refrigerator after two weeks. The storage temperature should be between 35 and 45 degrees. When cheese is stored at temperatures lower than 30 degrees, it can start to break down.
How long can cheese go out of the fridge unopened?
Like other foods, cheese can stay out of the fridge for a few days after opening. However, if you don’t eat it within a few days, it will start to undergo changes. Depending on the type of cheese, the changes can be either for the better or for the worse.
Cheese can stay out of the fridge for up to two weeks if it’s in its original packaging and unopened.
For more on this, see How long can cheese stay out of the refrigerator for hours?
How long can a cheese go out of the fridge unopened?
Cheese will go bad in its natural state at refrigerator temperatures, usually between 1-4 weeks. Storing cheese at room temperature can increase the rate at which cheese goes bad, but how long it can go out of the fridge varies depending on the cheese and how it’s stored.
Hard cheeses like cheddars and Parmesan will last longer than soft, moldy cheeses like Brie and Camembert. After about three to five days, cheese begins to break down and becomes less tasty. Depending on the type of cheese and the storage conditions, it may also start to smell funky. Don't let cheese stand out at room temperature for more than two to three days.
Storing cheese in the refrigerator helps to slow down the natural breakdown process, so it can last up to a month or more.
How long can cheese go out of the refrigerator unopened?
Cheese can be left out at room temperature for up to two weeks, as long as it’s unopened. This is an extension of the refrigerator shelf life. After two weeks, the cheese will begin to break down and develop an unpleasant odor. When stored properly, most varieties of cheese will last longer than two weeks.
Individual varieties will vary, so be sure to check the manufacturer’s expiration date. It's not uncommon for people to leave cheese out at room temperature for a few hours. But cheese left out for more than a few hours at room temperature begins to develop an off odor and can start to develop mold.
The exact length of time that cheese can be left out without becoming unsafe, however, depends on the type and age of the cheese. This guide will detail how long each type of cheese can safely stay out of the fridge.
How long can cheese go out of the refrigerator unopened without
Cheese can be left out of the refrigerator unopened for about one week at a time, as long as the cheese is sealed in packaging. If you notice a slight odor or color change, the cheese should be returned to the fridge. While cheese can be left out for this length of time, it's always best to use cheese within a few days, just to be safe. Cheese can stay out of the refrigerator for a few days if it’s in an airtight container in the pantry or a cool, dark place. When cheese becomes soft, it should be eaten within about a week. When it begins to turn hard or moldy, it’s time to throw it away.
