All About String cheese
Your complete guide to string cheese - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
How Long Does String cheese Last?
Storage times and freshness tips for string 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.
freezer2-3 months for best quality; safe indefinitely but quality deteriorates
Signs of Spoilage
Freezing halts microbial spoilage, but quality can degrade. Signs of quality degradation after thawing include: crumbly, mealy, or grainy texture; loss of characteristic 'stringiness'; freezer burn (dry, discolored spots). It won't 'spoil' in the traditional sense, but its appeal will diminish.
How to Check
Visual inspection (after thawing) for excessive dryness or texture changes. Texture test (after thawing): It may become more crumbly and less 'stringy'. Smell test (after thawing): Should still have a mild cheese aroma. Any off odors indicate it might have been bad before freezing or improperly stored.
Storage Tips
For freezing, it's best to wrap individual sticks tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container to prevent freezer burn. Thaw in the refrigerator. Frozen and thawed string cheese is often best used for cooking (e.g., grated into dishes) rather than eating plain, as the texture may change.
room temperature (short-term)Maximum 2 hours; if above 90°F (32°C), maximum 1 hour
Signs of Spoilage
Softening and sweating, oily residue on the surface, pronounced sour or off smell, visible mold (if left out for an extended, unsafe period, e.g., overnight).
How to Check
Temperature check: If it has been out for longer than the recommended time, it is best to discard it regardless of appearance or smell. Visual inspection: Look for excessive sweating or oiliness. Smell test: A distinct sour or stale milk smell.
Storage Tips
Ideal for lunchboxes when accompanied by an ice pack to maintain a safe temperature. Never leave string cheese out at room temperature for extended periods. Discard any string cheese that has exceeded the safe time limits to prevent foodborne illness.
unopened package in refrigeratorUntil the 'Best By' or 'Use By' date on the package (typically 1-2 months from purchase)
Signs of Spoilage
Visible mold (green, black, pink fuzz) on the cheese or inside the wrapper, sour or off-putting smell, slimy texture (if wrapper is compromised or cheese has gone bad inside), yellowing or discoloration of the cheese.
How to Check
Visual inspection through the packaging for any mold or discoloration. Check the 'Best By' or 'Use By' date. While still sealed, an off smell is less likely unless the cheese is severely spoiled.
Storage Tips
Store in the coldest part of your refrigerator. Maintaining the sealed packaging is crucial to prevent drying out and absorption of refrigerator odors.
opened package (individual sticks sealed) in refrigerator1-2 weeks after opening the outer package, or until the 'Best By' date (whichever comes first)
Signs of Spoilage
Similar to unopened: mold on individual sticks (if a wrapper is compromised), sour or pungent smell (if air has entered), slimy texture. The outer bag itself might show signs of moisture accumulation or smell stale.
How to Check
Visually inspect each individual stick for mold or discoloration, especially if the wrapper appears compromised. Check that individual wrappers are still tightly sealed. If an individual wrapper seems loose, sniff for any off odors.
Storage Tips
Once the outer bag is opened, transfer the remaining individual sticks to an airtight container or a new sealed bag (e.g., a zip-top bag) within the refrigerator. This helps protect them from drying out and absorbing other fridge odors.
opened individual stick in refrigerator3-5 days
Signs of Spoilage
Visible mold (green, black, pink fuzz) on the surface, strong sour or pungent smell (like old milk or ammonia), slimy or excessively hard/dry texture, yellowing or darkening color.
How to Check
Visual inspection: Look closely for any fuzzy mold spots or unusual discoloration. Smell test: Sniff the cheese; it should have a mild, milky, slightly tangy aroma. A strong sour, ammonia-like, or 'old milk' smell indicates spoilage. Touch test: Feel the cheese; it should be firm but slightly yielding. If it's slimy, excessively hard, or crumbly, it's likely bad. If all other tests pass, a very tiny taste can confirm, but discard immediately if it tastes bitter, sour, or unpleasant. When in doubt, throw it out.
Storage Tips
To extend freshness, re-wrap opened sticks tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place them in a small, airtight container. Store in the deli drawer or main compartment of the fridge.