All About Dubliner cheese
Your complete guide to dubliner cheese - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
How Long Does Dubliner cheese Last?
Storage times and freshness tips for dubliner cheese 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.
unopened fridge3-6 months, or up to 1-2 months past 'best by' date
Signs of Spoilage
Bulging or compromised packaging, visible mold (rare in unopened), sour or ammonia-like off-odor detectable through packaging (very rare).
How to Check
Visually inspect packaging for any tears, punctures, or bulging. While difficult to smell through sealed packaging, any strong, unpleasant odor is a red flag. Check the 'best by' or 'use by' date.
Storage Tips
Store in the coldest part of your refrigerator. If the packaging appears compromised in any way, discard the cheese.
opened fridge3-4 weeks
Signs of Spoilage
Visible mold (green, blue, black, or white fuzzy spots), slime or a slimy film on the surface, hardened or excessively dry edges, significant discoloration (darkening or unnatural yellowing), strong sour, ammonia-like, or yeasty off-odor.
How to Check
Visually inspect all surfaces for mold or discoloration. Touch the cheese to check for sliminess or unusual stickiness. Perform a smell test: a pleasant, robust aroma is good; a sharp, sour, or unpleasant smell indicates spoilage. For hard cheeses like Dubliner, if only a small amount of surface mold is present, you can often cut away at least 1 inch around and below the mold spot, and the remaining cheese may be safe to eat. Discard if mold is extensive or penetrates deeply.
Storage Tips
To extend freshness, wrap the cheese tightly in parchment paper or wax paper first (to allow it to breathe slightly), then in plastic wrap, or place it in an airtight container. This helps prevent drying out and mold growth. Avoid cross-contamination by using clean knives and cutting boards. Store away from strong-smelling foods, as cheese can absorb odors.
freezer6-8 months for best quality
Signs of Spoilage
While frozen, spoilage is unlikely. After thawing, signs include extreme dryness, crumbly texture (beyond its natural state), significant freezer burn (discoloration, hard dry spots), or any off-odors if it was bad before freezing.
How to Check
Visually inspect for severe freezer burn. After thawing in the refrigerator, check for an off-odor or unusual sliminess. The texture will likely be more crumbly than fresh, which is a quality issue, not necessarily spoilage. If it smells bad or feels slimy after thawing, discard it.
Storage Tips
Dubliner cheese can be frozen, but its texture may become more crumbly and less ideal for slicing after thawing. It is best used for cooking applications (e.g., grating into sauces, casseroles, or baked dishes). Grate or cut the cheese into smaller portions before freezing for easier use. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, or place in a freezer-safe bag, pressing out as much air as possible, to prevent freezer burn. Thaw slowly in the refrigerator.