How to Store Mozzarella

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Mozzarella is a staple in most Italian dishes, like pasta, pizza, and salad. If you like to cook, you may have come across some recipes that call for fresh or shredded mozzarella. Even if you buy the exact amount of cheese that you need, you may have some extra left over. To keep your mozzarella from going bad, you can keep it in your fridge or freezer to enjoy it for days to come.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Storing Fresh Mozzarella

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    If you bought your fresh mozzarella from the store, it may have come in an airtight container with liquid at the bottom. Keep your mozzarella in this container to keep it moist. [1]
    • The liquid is actually whey, a byproduct of when mozzarella is made. You can replace it with water if it gets low.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Store Mozzarella
    Take your mozzarella out of the vacuum package and place it in a large bowl filled with cold water. Change out the water each day you keep your cheese in the fridge. This will mimic the whey that the mozzarella would be sitting in and stop the cheese from drying out. [2]
    • Fresh mozzarella usually looks like a round ball of cheese rather than a block or a loaf.
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    Place your fresh mozzarella on the middle shelf of your fridge. Try to eat your mozzarella as soon as you can for the best taste and freshness. [3]
    • Never freeze fresh mozzarella. The texture and flavor won’t be the same.
    • Keep your fridge between 34 and 40 °F (1 and 4 °C).

    Tip: If you haven’t opened up your mozzarella yet, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. [4]

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    Mozzarella tastes the best when it is room temperature. Pull your cheese out of the fridge about 1 hour to warm it up before you use it for the best flavor. [5]
    • You can use fresh mozzarella on salads, pizzas, and pasta.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Storing Loaf and Shredded Mozzarella

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Store Mozzarella
    Loaf mozzarella usually comes vacuum packed. After you open up your cheese, wrap it back up with plastic wrap to make sure it doesn’t come into contact with air and keep it from getting hard. [6]
    • Loaf mozzarella usually looks like rectangular bricks of cheese.
    • Cheese is alive and breathing, so never store it in tightly wrapped plastic wrap.
    • Wrap wedges and rounds like a present in cheese, parchment, or wax paper and store in a plastic bag.
    • Store your cheese in the "warmest" spot in the fridge. You can also use a big Tupperware or bin to keep all your cheeses. Always label and date.
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    Shredded mozzarella often comes in a resealable bag or tub. As soon as you open your mozzarella, seal the rest up in the packaging it came in. [7]
    • If your shredded mozzarella didn't come in resealable packaging, put it in an airtight bag or container.
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    The crisper drawer of your fridge has a different level of humidity than the rest of your fridge. Use this drawer to keep your cheese from drying out as you store it. [8]
    • The crisper drawers are usually at the bottom of your fridge. You may be using them to store vegetables or leafy greens.
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    Loaf and shredded mozzarella can keep for much longer than fresh mozzarella. Eat them within 21 to 28 days after you first open them up. [9]

    Tip: The sooner you eat your cheese, the better it will taste.

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    If you haven’t punctured the vacuum seal of your cheese, store it in the freezer before you eat it. Thaw it in the fridge for 1 day before you use it. [10]
    • Don’t store opened mozzarella in the freezer. This could cause the cheese to get moist and might change the taste or texture.
    J. Kenji López-Alt, Chef and Food Science Writer

    The best store-bought mozzarella is made with whole milk and has a high moisture content. It should be soft and pliable, and should melt easily. Look for mozzarella that is labeled as 'fresh mozzarella' or 'mozzarella di bufala.'

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References

  1. ↑ https://whatscookingamerica.net/mozzarella.htm
  2. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/ingredients/how-to-buy-and-store-mozzarella-like-a-pro-article
  3. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/ingredients/how-to-buy-and-store-mozzarella-like-a-pro-article
  4. ↑ https://www.simplyhealthyfamily.org/how-to-store-fresh-mozzarella/
  5. ↑ https://www.simplyhealthyfamily.org/how-to-store-fresh-mozzarella/
  6. ↑ https://www.simplyhealthyfamily.org/how-to-store-fresh-mozzarella/
  7. ↑ https://www.simplyhealthyfamily.org/how-to-store-fresh-mozzarella/
  8. ↑ https://www.simplyhealthyfamily.org/how-to-store-fresh-mozzarella/
  9. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/ingredients/how-to-buy-and-store-mozzarella-like-a-pro-article
  1. ↑ https://www.simplyhealthyfamily.org/how-to-store-fresh-mozzarella/

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      Warnings

      • If your mozzarella smells like sour milk, it has gone bad and you should throw it away.
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