All About Ricotta cheese
Your complete guide to ricotta cheese - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
How Long Does Ricotta cheese Last?
Storage times and freshness tips for ricotta 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 fridge1-2 weeks past 'best by' or 'sell by' date
Signs of Spoilage
Swollen container, visible mold (fuzzy green, black, pink spots), significant liquid separation (whey looks cloudy or slimy), strong sour or off-putting odor, unusual discoloration.
How to Check
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Visual Inspection: Check for any bulging of the container, mold growth, or unusual colors on the surface.
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Smell Test: Give it a gentle sniff. Fresh ricotta has a mild, milky, slightly sweet aroma. If it smells sour, yeasty, pungent, or generally 'off', discard it.
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Texture Check: It should be creamy and slightly grainy but uniform. If it appears overly watery with a slimy liquid, or feels unusually firm/gummy, it's likely spoiled.
Storage Tips
Always check the 'best by' or 'sell by' date. Store in the coldest part of your refrigerator for optimal freshness. Do not consume if the container is visibly swollen, as this indicates bacterial activity.
opened fridge3-5 days
Signs of Spoilage
Visible mold growth on the surface or sides, strong sour, yeasty, or rancid odor, excessive liquid separation with cloudy or slimy whey, slimy or sticky texture, discoloration (pink, green, dark spots).
How to Check
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Visual Inspection: Look closely for any fuzzy mold spots, especially on the surface or near the edges. Check for any unusual discoloration or a cloudy, slimy liquid.
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Smell Test: A pronounced sour, yeasty, or 'old milk' smell is a clear indicator of spoilage.
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Touch/Texture Test: If it feels slimy or sticky to the touch, or if the texture is excessively watery or overly firm/gummy, it's best to discard it.
Storage Tips
To extend freshness, transfer opened ricotta to an airtight container. For best results, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the ricotta before sealing the container with a lid. This minimizes air exposure and helps prevent mold growth and absorption of fridge odors.
freezer1-2 months (for best quality), up to 3 months (safely)
Signs of Spoilage
While frozen, it won't spoil in the traditional sense. After thawing, signs similar to refrigerated spoilage (mold, sour smell, slimy texture) indicate it's bad. Freezer burn (dry, discolored patches) affects quality but not safety.
How to Check
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Visual (after thawing): Check for any mold growth or significant discoloration.
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Smell (after thawing): A sour, off, or rancid smell is a sign of spoilage.
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Texture (after thawing): Ricotta's texture changes significantly after freezing, becoming more crumbly and watery. While normal to some extent, an overly watery, grainy, or slimy texture combined with an off smell means it's bad.
Storage Tips
Freezing ricotta is best for cooked applications like lasagna, stuffed shells, or baked goods, as its texture becomes more crumbly and watery after thawing. For best results, drain any excess whey from the ricotta before freezing. Store in airtight, freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving a little headspace for expansion. Thaw slowly in the refrigerator. After thawing, drain any accumulated liquid before use.