Lactose-free cheese ingredient

All About Lactose-free cheese

dairy

Your complete guide to lactose-free cheese - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.

3 storage methods
24 substitutes

How Long Does Lactose-free cheese Last?

Storage times and freshness tips for lactose-free 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.

freezer
6-9 months for best quality; safe indefinitely if kept at 0°F (-18°C) or below.

Signs of Spoilage

Freezer burn (dry, discolored, leathery spots) indicates a decline in quality and can affect texture and flavor, though it's still safe to eat. Significant changes in texture (excessively crumbly, mealy) once thawed, or off-flavors not present before freezing. Mold before freezing indicates it was already spoiled.

How to Check

  1. Visual Inspection: Check for freezer burn prior to thawing.

  2. Texture After Thawing: Assess if the cheese has become excessively crumbly, mealy, or lost its desirable texture for its intended use.

  3. Smell/Taste (After Thawing): Once thawed, it should still smell and taste like cheese, though the flavor might be milder. Any strong off-flavors indicate quality degradation.

Storage Tips

Freezing can alter the texture of cheese, making it more crumbly or mealy, especially for soft or high-moisture varieties. It's generally best for cheeses intended for cooking (e.g., shredded for casseroles, sauces) rather than for eating raw. Grate or cut into smaller, usable portions before freezing. Wrap very tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, or place in a heavy-duty freezer bag, pressing out all air. Label with the date. Thaw slowly in the refrigerator.

opened fridge
1-3 weeks for hard/semi-hard cheeses (e.g., cheddar, mozzarella); 5-7 days for soft cheeses (e.g., cream cheese, ricotta, feta).

Signs of Spoilage

Visible mold (fuzzy, green, black, pink, or other unusual colors), strong sour, yeasty, or ammonia-like smell, slimy or excessively hard/dry texture, noticeable discoloration (beyond normal aging for some cheeses).

How to Check

  1. Visual Inspection: Look closely for any spots of mold, especially in crevices or on cut surfaces. Check for discoloration or slime.

  2. Smell Test: Take a good whiff. Any strong, unpleasant odors like sour milk, yeast, or ammonia are clear indicators of spoilage.

  3. Touch Test: Feel the surface. It should not be slimy or unusually sticky. For hard cheeses, it shouldn't be excessively dried out and brittle to the point of crumbling too easily. For soft cheeses, it shouldn't be watery or hardened.

Storage Tips

To extend freshness, wrap opened cheese tightly in parchment paper, wax paper, or plastic wrap, then place in an airtight container or a sealed plastic bag. This prevents drying out and absorbing other fridge odors. For mold on hard cheeses, you may be able to cut off at least one inch around and below the mold spot, but discard if mold is extensive or on softer cheeses due to higher moisture content allowing mold to penetrate deeper.

unopened fridge
Up to the 'Best By' or 'Use By' date on the package, sometimes 1-2 weeks beyond for harder varieties.

Signs of Spoilage

Swollen or bulging packaging, visible mold (green, black, pink, or fuzzy spots), strong sour or ammonia-like odor when package is opened, discoloration not typical of the cheese.

How to Check

Visually inspect the packaging for any signs of puffiness. Once opened, conduct a smell test for off-odors. Examine the cheese surface for any unusual growth or color changes.

Storage Tips

Always store cheese in the coldest part of your refrigerator. Do not purchase if packaging is damaged or bulging, as this can indicate bacterial growth.