How Long Does Deli Cheese Last? Does Deli Cheese Go Bad?

If you are like me and tend to buy a lot of cheese from the deli every time you are at the store, then you have come to the right place. How long does deli cheese last? If you are curious about the answer, you’ve landed on the right site! 

This article will show the exact answer and some tips to maximize its shelf life. Let’s get started!

How Long Does Deli Cheese Last?

It’s quite hard to answer this question directly because deli cheese comes in various varieties, such as American deli cheese or Swiss cheese. Also, its longevity is up to the condition you preserve it. These kinds of cheese can last about two or three weeks in the fridge, and around six to eight months if in the freezer in general.

Let’s now look at how its shelf life changes in different situations.

The first question is: How long does American cheese last at room temperature? When you have deli cheese sitting out for parties or get togethers it doesn’t last that long.

Once opened, it is only safe within two hours. After that time, bacteria can easily grow and destroy the food.

If the cheese is stored in the refrigerator, it can last around two or three weeks if you keep in unopened in the fridge. If opened, it can only remain good for a very short time, about five to seven days.

That’s all about the answers to the two frequently asked questions “how long does American cheese last in the fridge” and “how long does deli Swiss cheese last in the fridge”.

How long is deli American cheese good for if frozen? To prolong American cheese shelf life, you can store it in the freezer. It can be good for six to eight months if unopened and around one to two months once opened, depending on its hardness and moisture content.

Here is the summary table of deli cheese shelf life: 

Storage conditions	Room temperature	Fridge	Freezer
Unopened packaging deli cheese	up to four days	two to three weeks	six to eight months
Opened packaging deli cheese	within two hours	five to seven days	one to two months

How To Tell If Deli Cheese Goes Bad?

Does American cheese go bad? The bad news is yes, as its ingredient contains milk. So, how to tell if American cheese is bad? Below are useful tips to help you detect bad deli cheese.

Smell

Most spoiled deli cheese will have a funky and odd odor, like the smell of sour milk. If it’s good, it should have a creamy and sweet smell. You should eat it if you notice a funny smell.

Color

You can also tell if American cheese is bad by its appearance. Edible deli cheese typically has a light yellow color. When it turns into other colors like orange or has some moldy and white spots on American cheese, it is no longer good to eat.

Texture

Spoiled deli cheese often turns slimy or watery and starts to lose its consistency. When you detect this sign, throw it away rather than trying to consume it.

Expiration Date

Checking the expiration date on the packaging is the easiest way. Some people suppose deli cheese can be edible even though it is out of date. However, nutritionists do not recommend this.

Can You Eat Spoiled Deli Cheese?

Unlike parmesan cheese, you should try to eat bad deli cheese in any circumstances. That’s because it can cause food poisoning. For instance, you may suffer from bad health conditions such as stomach ache, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Therefore, if you are unsure your cheese is edible or not, it’s better to discard it instead of eating it.

How To Freeze Deli Cheese Properly?

Deli cheese has a short lifespan, undoubtedly. However, you can expand its shelf life if you store it properly. How to preserve it? The best storing method is putting it in the freezer. Can American cheese be frozen? The good news is yes!

Let’s scroll down to refer to some useful cheese storage tips!

Freeze A Block Of Deli Cheese

If you have a block of deli cheese, you can still freeze it as long as it weighs under 1 pound. If larger, it doesn’t freeze well, so the lifespan may be reduced. It’s best to split them up into small servings.

You can apply the following steps: 

• Step 1: Cut deli cheese into smaller portion sizes. In this way, you can easily defrost each small bag of cheese without ruining the texture and consistency of the cheese.
• Step 2: Wrap each portion in aluminum foil or cheese paper.
• Step 3: Put them in freezer bags or airtight freezer containers to seal them.
• Step 4: Place them in the freezer and set the lowest temperature.

How long is American cheese good for in this method? Up to eight months.

Freeze Sliced Deli Cheese

If you buy too much deli-sliced American cheese, don’t worry, as you can refrigerate it, too. How to freeze it properly? Here are detailed instructions.

• Step 1: Use parchment paper to insert between each deli cheese slice. The purpose is to keep the slices from sticking together and changing their shape.
• Step 2: Wrap all of them in cheese paper or freezer paper.
• Step 3: Seal them in freezer bags or airtight freezer containers. Remember to set the fridge temperature at the lowest.

How long is sliced deli cheese good for if put on ice? Approximately eight months.

Freeze Shredded Deli Cheese

How to store deli cheese when you’ve already shredded it up? Put it into the freezer. In what way? The guide is below.

• Step 1: Place shredded cheese into airtight freezer bags. If it is too much, you should divide it into smaller servings to facilitate the defrosting step.
• Step 2: Put it in the freezer of the fridge and set the lowest temperature to promote the refrigerating process.

Your shredded cheese can keep its quality for up to two months if frozen.