Shelf Life Tips
- How long does an unopened package of ricotta cheese last? The exact answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - to maximize the shelf life of ricotta cheese, keep it refrigerated at all times.
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How long does unopened ricotta cheese last after the ? sell by date or ? best before date? Ricotta cheese will generally keep for about 3 to 5 days after the "sell by" or ? best before date on the package, assuming it has been continuously refrigerated.
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How long does ricotta cheese last at room temperature? If kept at temperatures above 40 °F, ricotta cheese will rapidly develop signs of spoilage; ricotta cheese should be discarded if left for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
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To further extend the shelf life of opened ricotta cheese, freeze it: to freeze ricotta cheese, place inside covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
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Frozen ricotta cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavor; the thawed ricotta cheese will be best suited to cooked dishes, such as sauces, soups and casseroles.
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How long does ricotta cheese last in the freezer? Properly stored, it will maintain best quality for about 3 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.
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The freezer time shown is for best quality only - ricotta cheese that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
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How long does ricotta cheese last after being frozen and thawed? Ricotta cheese that has been defrosted in the fridge can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator before using; ricotta cheese that was thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be used immediately.
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When frozen ricotta cheese is thawed, there may be some liquid at the top of the container; simply stir it back into the cheese.
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How can you tell if ricotta cheese is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the ricotta cheese: if ricotta cheese turns yellow or develops an off odor or flavor, it should be discarded for quality purposes; if mold appears, discard the entire package.
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Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here
