In the refrigerator, it will last for about 3 to 5 days. If you freeze Velveeta cheese in a sealed container and use it within 1 month, then it will stay fresh in your freezer up to 6 months.
Velveeta cheese is a processed cheese that has been around for a long time. It is made from milk and cream, but it can go bad if not stored properly.
If Velveeta comes to mind when you think of mac and cheese, you’re probably well-versed on how to store it and how long it lasts.
However, if you just use Velveeta on occasion, or if you’ve just purchased your first packet, you may not be acquainted with the essentials.
Velveeta is a “recipe cheese product” or a “processed cheese product,” not “genuine” cheese. Apart from the nomenclature, which may seem to some as just a technical matter, there are other distinctions between Velveeta and “regular” cheeses worth noting. And that is precisely what this post is about.
Continue reading if you have little experience with Velveeta cheese and want to learn more about deterioration symptoms, storage techniques, and shelf life.
For the record, I’m going to refer to Velveeta as cheese for the remainder of the piece since that’s how everyone else refers to it. Plus, calling it a “recipe cheese product” every time would be weird.
Is Velveeta Cheese Perishable? What Is The Best Way To Tell If Velveeta Is Bad?
While Velveeta is more processed than traditional cheeses like Brie or Blue, it won’t survive indefinitely and will eventually go bad.
Pay special attention to the color and texture of the food for indications of deterioration. Velveeta is golden and velvety to the touch when it’s fresh. Any apparent changes in any of these characteristics indicate that it is beyond its prime, particularly if it has already passed its expiration date.
Processed cheeses like Velveeta are seldom moldy (compared to real cheese), but if they do, it’s time to throw them out.
You should also discard it if the scent or taste changes for the worse.
One thing to keep in mind is that if the cheese is not properly wrapped after opening, it may begin to dry out gradually. If this is the case, you may either discard the dried section or utilize it as normal.
It won’t make much of a difference if you’re going to melt it either way.
What is the shelf life of Velveeta cheese?
This one is quite simple.
The shelf life of unopened Velveeta cheese is normally approximately 6 months from the date of manufacture. As is customary, the “best-by” date on the label is the best bet.
Of course, since it’s a prepared product with extra preservatives, it’ll probably survive longer than that.
You could wonder how long it has been since the “best by” date. It’s tough to say, but I’d say approximately a month at the very least. If it’s beyond its expiration date, just open the packaging and inspect the contents for quality.
If you’re not convinced it’s safe, err on the side of caution and throw it away.
The Kraft Foods product maintains its quality for around 8 weeks after it is opened ([WG]). The information is readily available on the packaging, so double-check yours to see if anything has changed. It’s also worth checking the label for other Velveeta products since it can be somewhat different.
Of course, you shouldn’t anticipate the greatest quality for such a long period if you opened the item near or after the expiration date on the label. Nonetheless, it’s a processed product, so don’t expect it to disintegrate totally overnight.
To put it another way, utilize it for as long as you like the quality.
With that in mind, let’s discuss the last piece of the puzzle: Velveeta storage.
What Is The Best Way To Store Velveeta? Is it necessary to keep it refrigerated?
An unopened packet of Velveeta does not need to be refrigerated, unlike other dairy products (excluding powdered milk, evaporated milk, or condensed milk).
It’s shelf-stable, which is why you’ll find it on grocery shelves rather than in refrigerators. Just keep it away from any heat sources, and you’re good to go.
After opening the packaging, make sure the cheese is refrigerated and wrapped correctly every time. This manner, it won’t dry out and will last a long time in good condition.
Use a freezer bag instead of the original packing if you can’t cover it with the original packaging.
You may wonder whether open Velveeta goes bad if it isn’t refrigerated. I didn’t try it and don’t plan on doing so, but I’d say no. However, the quality would most certainly deteriorate considerably more quickly.
So, if you’re just planning to utilize the package for a few days, you can definitely avoid the refrigerator entirely.
I didn’t test it, and you should proceed at your own risk. In virtually every scenario, I advise using the same storage technique as the producer.
Last but not least, Velveeta should not be frozen, according to Kraft Foods ([FB]). However, if you are unable to utilize it before it deteriorates, freezing it may be an option.
I’m sure you wouldn’t be the first person to put Velveeta in the freezer. Simply place it in a freezer bag and defrost overnight in the refrigerator. When everything is melted together, it shouldn’t make much of a difference in your mac and cheese.
Summary
- Velveeta should be kept at room temperature away from heat and refrigerated once opened.
- Velveeta lasts around 6 months unopened and 8 weeks after opening (see the date on the label).
- Because this cheese seldom molds, you’ll have to discard it because of its low quality rather than because it’s spoilt in the traditional sense.
References
Velveeta is a cheese that can last for years, it is made with milk and cream. Velveeta is also processed with salt and lactic acid bacteria to give it its unique flavor. The cheese will not spoil if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Reference: 2 year old” velveeta.
Related Tags
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