All About Blue cheese dressing
Your complete guide to blue cheese dressing - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
How Long Does Blue cheese dressing Last?
Storage times and freshness tips for blue cheese dressing in different conditions.
Safety first: This guide provides general information. When in doubt, throw it out! Trust your senses and err on the side of caution. If something smells, looks, or tastes off, don't consume it.
opened, commercial (refrigerator)1-2 weeks (some brands may suggest up to 3 weeks, but quality degrades)
Signs of Spoilage
Visible mold growth (fuzzy spots of any color, often white, green, or black) on the surface or around the rim, significant discoloration (e.g., turning a darker yellow, brown, or grey), a strong sour, yeasty, or 'off' smell that is distinct from the characteristic blue cheese aroma, excessive liquid separation that won't mix back in, bubbling, or an unusually slimy texture.
How to Check
-
Visual Inspection: Look for mold, unusual colors, or extreme separation.
-
Smell Test: Open the container and take a cautious whiff. It should smell like blue cheese, not sharply sour, rancid, or fermented.
-
Texture Check: If it appears unusually thin and watery, or overly thick and clumpy, it may be spoiled.
-
Taste Test (Caution): If visual and smell tests pass, you can do a tiny taste test, but if anything seems off, discard it immediately. A spoiled taste will be overtly sour, bitter, or 'chemical-like'.
Storage Tips
Always use clean utensils to scoop out dressing to prevent cross-contamination. Keep the lid tightly sealed. Store on an inner shelf of the refrigerator where temperatures are more consistent, rather than in the door, which experiences more temperature fluctuations.
homemade (refrigerator)3-5 days
Signs of Spoilage
Similar to opened commercial dressing: Visible mold growth, significant discoloration, a strong sour, yeasty, or 'off' smell, excessive liquid separation that won't mix back in, bubbling, or an unusually slimy texture.
How to Check
-
Visual Inspection: Look for mold, unusual colors, or extreme separation.
-
Smell Test: Take a cautious whiff. It should smell fresh and cheesy, not sharply sour, rancid, or fermented.
-
Texture Check: If it's become unusually thin and watery, or overly thick and clumpy.
-
Taste Test (Caution): If visual and smell tests pass, a tiny taste test can confirm, but discard if any off-flavors are present.
Storage Tips
Homemade dressings lack the preservatives found in commercial products, so their shelf life is significantly shorter. Store in an airtight container immediately after preparation. Make in small batches to ensure it's consumed within its safe window.
freezer (not recommended for quality)1-2 months (for safety; quality significantly degrades)
Signs of Spoilage
While generally safe from microbial spoilage, the primary sign of degradation will be severe textural changes upon thawing. This includes extreme separation of the oil and water components, a grainy or curdled appearance, and a watery consistency that cannot be re-emulsified.
How to Check
Thaw the dressing slowly in the refrigerator. After thawing, attempt to vigorously whisk or blend it to re-emulsify. If it remains completely separated, grainy, or watery, the texture is compromised and it's likely unsuitable for use as a dressing.
Storage Tips
Dairy and mayonnaise-based dressings like blue cheese dressing typically do not freeze well. The freezing and thawing process causes the emulsion to break, resulting in an unappetizing texture. While it might be safe to consume, the quality will be poor. If you absolutely must freeze it, consider using it in cooked applications (e.g., a sauce base) where texture changes are less critical, rather than as a fresh salad dressing.
unopened, commercial (refrigerator)refer to 'Best By' or 'Use By' date (typically 1-3 months past purchase date if refrigerated)
Signs of Spoilage
Swelling or bulging of the container, significant separation of liquids that doesn't re-emulsify with shaking, mold growth inside, a strong 'off' or rancid odor when held to the nose (even through the container).
How to Check
Visually inspect the container for any signs of damage or bulging. Check the 'Best By' or 'Use By' date. While difficult to smell through a sealed container, any extremely foul or rancid odor emanating from the packaging is a red flag.
Storage Tips
Always store commercial blue cheese dressing in the refrigerator, even before opening, unless the label explicitly states it's shelf-stable and to refrigerate only after opening. Adhere strictly to the manufacturer's date for optimal quality and safety.