Fridge storage

How long does Monterey Jack cheese last in the fridge?

About 30 days for Monterey Jack cheese. That’s what Well Stockd plans on; the table below has the sources’ own times.

Times are for a fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below. They’re a guide, not a safety guarantee.

How we checked this: each storage time here is checked against the source named beside it, USDA FoodKeeper, USDA FSIS or another, before the page goes live. A time marked “Our estimate” is Well Stockd’s own, since FoodKeeper and FSIS give none. Editorial policy

How long it keeps

Unopened
About 6 months refrigerated, or the printed date Our estimate: FoodKeeper and FSIS give no time for this.
Opened or cut
3 to 4 weeks once opened; shredded 1 to 2 weeks Our estimate: FoodKeeper and FSIS give no time for this.
Freezer
About 6 months (180 days) at best quality. Frozen food stays safe indefinitely at 0°F; the time is about texture and flavor. Our estimate: FoodKeeper and FSIS give no time for this.Compare freezer times for other foods on the printable freezer storage chart.
How to store it
Rewrap in parchment then a loose bag after each use. Shred before freezing; it melts as well frozen as fresh.
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How to tell if Monterey Jack cheese has gone bad

Dates are estimates; these are the checks that actually decide it. Don’t taste food to check whether it has gone bad.

Throw it out at once if you see:

  • Mold spots
  • Sour or ammonia smell
  • Slimy surface

Also a sign it has gone bad:

  • Hard, dried edges

Sources and limits

Even a longer time like this depends on the packaging, the temperature, how ripe the food is and whether it’s been opened.

Well Stockd doesn’t know when this food was harvested, packed, bought, opened or cooked. Write down the date you opened, cooked or refrigerated it, follow the package directions, keep your fridge at 40°F or below, and check the official listing when food safety is in question.

Each time in the table names its source beside it. A time marked “Our estimate” is Well Stockd’s own, because FoodKeeper and FSIS give none for that food in that state, and where our time differs from FoodKeeper’s, the row shows FoodKeeper’s figure too. The number at the top is Well Stockd’s own estimate. It’s a guide, not a safety guarantee: FoodKeeper says storage times are guidelines, and quality varies with how food is grown, handled, shipped and stored. This page was last updated .

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