Can we all finally admit that we love cottage cheese? There’s hardly anyone who comes out of a salad bar without overloading his plate with cottage cheese blocks. That’s how much it is loved to be eaten.
The best thing about it is that it is mostly protein with a very little amount of carbohydrates. Like regular cheese, it will not make you gain weight. Instead, it will meet your protein requirements. You will never feel guilty after eating cottage cheese. You know why? because with such a relatively low number of calories, nobody would ever mind eating blocks and blocks of it. Besides, you need to be tactful to store it if you want to enjoy it for a longer time.
Source: thekitchenmagpie.com
How long does cottage cheese last? As far as we have noticed, it is one of the dairy products that work well in many different settings. However, there are some rules for storing cottage cheese. Like milk, cottage cheese is also available in various forms. For instance, full fat reduced fat, lactose-free, and so on. The spoilage rate is more or less the same for all these.
Here’s how you can store cottage cheese
Cottage cheese must be stored in the refrigerator. Whether it is opened or unopened, it will go bad quickly if left out unless it is freezing weather outside. If you want to work on its longevity, keep it away from the door. The door of the refrigerator experiences the temperature fluctuations the most. Therefore, things kept in the door go bad quickly. Keep the vulnerable products away from the door.
Can you freeze cottage cheese?
There is no impact of freezing on the nutritional content of cottage cheese, so yes, you can freeze it. But what concerns us more is why would you want to freeze it? Freezing will alter its texture and taste; above all, it will consume a lot of time. It needs to be thawed for 1 to 2 hours before use. Hence, it is not suggested to use frozen cottage cheese if you are planning to use it raw, otherwise, it will taste fine in cooked foods.
If you are still looking for a way to store it in a freezer, then grab an airtight container or a freezer bag, pack the cheese, leaving some space in case it expands and put it in the freezer. If you have a brand-new unopened packet, put it directly into the freezer. To thaw it, you can keep it in the refrigerator overnight and enjoy it with your breakfast in the morning, but if you are in a rush, you can microwave it as well. Once the cheese is thawed, you might see some water in the container, which is completely normal.
The quality of frozen cottage cheese will remain good for a few months, but it will start deteriorating at a faster rate if you freeze and thaw it frequently. Moreover, if you store it in a freezer for a long time, you may experience a decline in quality.
How long does cottage cheese last?
No matter what brand you are using, every packet of cottage cheese has a “best by” or “sell by” date label. Though that does not mean that the product will expire after that date, the quality of the product will not be the same after that date. When the packet remains unopened, it should be fine for 8 to 10 days past the date on the label, but only if it is stored properly. In some cases, it can go for more than a week or two, but don’t rely on it.
Once the packet of cottage cheese is opened, it can go for 5 days up to a week. However, it is always suggested to use it within 48 hours to get its best state. Once the packet is opened and sits in the refrigerator for days, the quality starts to deteriorate at a faster rate. Hence, it is better to use it within 48 days to enjoy the best taste.
How to know if cottage cheese is bad?
You will know right on the spot if the cheese is expired. When dairy products go bad, they develop a yellowish color and an off odor. If you sense something of this sort, discard it. Similarly, if you see any growth of mold and sour taste, then just throw it away.
Is it safe to use cottage cheese after the expiry date?
As mentioned earlier, cottage cheese does not have an expiration date. Its label indicates how long its quality will last. A couple of days after its “best by” date, it is most likely fine to eat it. After a week or two, it might be fine to eat it but there are chances of it going bad as well. If cottage cheese is near its “best by” date, it is recommended to check it before using it in your food. Make sure it is fit to eat.
How you can use cottage cheese as a healthy snack
1) cottage cheese stuffed chicken
Instead of using any regular cheese, use cottage cheese to stuff the chicken and you will get the same taste and creaminess. This way, you can consume a good amount of protein in your favorite foods.
Source: thekitchenmagpie.com
2) Peanut butter cottage cheese bowls
Take out your favorite flavor protein powder and cottage cheese in a bowl, add some sweetener to it, then finally, drizzle peanut butter (melted) on it as much as you want. You can use any other nut butter if peanut butter is not available.
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3) simple cottage cheese salad
Chop fresh tomatoes and cucumber in a bowl, add some cottage cheese and sprinkle salt and pepper on it as per your taste. You can enjoy it with crackers as well.
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With less sugar than yogurt, less fat than cheese, cottage cheese fulfills all your creamy desires without making your meals unhealthy. It goes for a pretty long time if you store it by following the guidelines we have suggested to you.