How long does cheese last in the fridge?
Quick answer
- In the fridge
- Hard, opened: 3–4 weeks · Soft: 1–2 weeks
- In the freezer
- Up to 6 months (best for cooking)
Sources: USDA FoodKeeper · Last reviewed October 1, 2026
Hard cheeses (cheddar, parmesan, gouda) last 3–4 weeks in the fridge once opened. Semi-soft cheeses (mozzarella, brie) keep 1–2 weeks. Fresh cheeses (ricotta, cottage cheese) are the shortest-lived at 5–7 days. A small bit of mold on hard cheese can be cut away (1cm around the spot); on soft cheese the whole thing goes. Unopened hard cheese keeps about 6 months in the fridge.
How to store cheese
Wrap cheese in wax paper or cheese paper, then loosely in plastic — it needs to breathe but not dry out. Plastic alone suffocates the cheese; bare exposure dries it. Keep in the warmest part of the fridge (the cheese drawer or top shelf, 4–8°C). Replace the wrapping every few uses. Hard cheeses freeze acceptably (texture suffers, fine for cooking); soft and fresh cheeses don't freeze well. Bring to room temperature for 30–60 minutes before serving — flavor wakes up.
- Wrap in wax paper, then loose plastic
- Keep in the cheese drawer or warmest fridge spot (4–8°C)
- Change wrapping every few uses
- Cut away mold on hard cheese with 1cm margin
- Bring to room temp 30–60 min before serving
Signs it has gone bad
- Wide-spreading or fuzzy mold on soft cheese
- Ammonia-like or rotten smell
- Slimy surface
- Bitter or sharply off taste
Frequently asked questions
Can you eat cheese with mold on it?
On hard cheese, cut away the mold with a 1cm margin and eat the rest. On soft or fresh cheese, throw the whole piece away — mold spreads through soft texture invisibly.
How do you store cheese in the fridge?
Wrap in wax or cheese paper, then loose plastic, and keep in the cheese drawer (4–8°C). Replace the wrap every few uses.
Can cheese be frozen?
Hard cheeses freeze acceptably (best for cooking after thawing). Soft and fresh cheeses don't freeze well — texture breaks down badly.