How Long Can Cheese Stay Fresh in the Fridge?

Wine and cheese may be a perfect pairing, but they have one key difference: while wine can age gracefully, cheese doesn’t have the same luxury. It’s best to buy cheese in smaller quantities more often to ensure freshness.

That being said, cheese won’t spoil overnight—if it’s fine on Wednesday, it won’t suddenly go bad by Thursday.

At its core, cheese is just concentrated milk—much of the moisture is removed, and the fat and protein are preserved through fermentation, salt, and acidity. The more moisture a cheese retains, the faster it will spoil. Generally, cheese is more likely to lose flavor before it becomes unsafe to eat. For many harder cheeses, simply scraping off the mold (blue, gray, or green) is an option, but red or black mold means it’s time to toss it, and maybe clean your fridge, too.

To extend the life of your cheese, pay attention to how it looks and smells when you bring it home. Your senses are the best indicators of freshness—don’t rely solely on expiration dates, which can often be misleading with cheese.

To store your cheese properly, wrap it carefully in parchment paper and place it in the fridge. This allows the cheese to stay protected while still breathing. For serious cheese enthusiasts, consider investing in cheese bags that maintain the right humidity to prevent drying while letting the cheese breathe. If you don’t have them, plastic wrap can be used, but it may affect the flavor with a plastic taste.

Freezing cheese is generally not recommended, particularly for soft varieties. However, a block of cheese meant for cooking—rather than snacking—can be frozen for a few months without issue.

Not sure how long your favorite cheese will last in the fridge? Unsure what to look for when it’s no longer fresh? Keep reading for details, along with some recipe ideas for using up cheese that's nearing its expiration.

Continue Reading: Is Freezing Cheese Possible?

Fresh Mozzarella

How long it stays fresh: 7 to 10 days once opened

Signs it's gone bad: Mold, dryness, or a sour, yeasty odor

Fresh mozzarella is known for its delicate texture and flavor, but this comes with a downside— the fresher the cheese, the shorter its shelf life. Try to purchase it as close to your eating time as possible.

Recipes to Try with Mozzarella:

Caprese Salad with Balsamic Reduction
Fresh Mozzarella Pasta Salad

Cheddar

How long it stays fresh: 6 to 8 weeks once opened

Signs it’s spoiled: Red or black mold, dryness

Cheddar, originally from the U.K., has become a staple in American kitchens (and yes, it’s fantastic in apple pie crust). One reason for its popularity is its longevity—it tends to dry out before it molds, and even when it’s a bit dry, it still melts beautifully in any dish.

Try These Cheddar Recipes:

Cheddar Baked Chicken
Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Explore More: 15 Cheddar Cheese Recipes You’ll Love

Brie

How long it stays fresh: 2 to 3 weeks after opening

Signs it’s gone bad: Mold, dryness, ammonia odor

Brie is the epitome of creamy elegance, but it doesn’t have an endless shelf life in your fridge. One of its unique quirks is ammonia buildup—if left too long, it may develop a cleaning product-like scent when you take it out. This doesn’t mean it’s spoiled—it’s just the cheese ‘breathing’—but if the smell lingers, it can affect the flavor. The good news is that the ammonia usually dissipates after a few hours at room temperature (which, by the way, is the ideal serving temperature for cheese).

Brie Recipes to Try:

Cream of Brie Soup
Baked Brie with Caramelized Onions

Parmesan

How long it stays fresh: 3 months after opening

Signs it’s spoiled: Dryness

Looking for a cheese that will stay fresh in your fridge for months? Parmesan is your go-to. Thanks to its long aging process and higher salt content, Parm will last just about as long as you need it. Even if it starts to dry out, it’ll still be perfect for grating over pasta.

Parmigiano Reggiano Recipes to Try:

Calamari Steaks Parmigiano
Parmesan Brussels Sprouts

Gruyère

How long it stays fresh: 6 to 8 weeks after opening

Signs it’s spoiled: Red or black mold, dryness

Gruyère is rich, flavorful, and melts beautifully—making it a versatile and easy cheese to finish off quickly. It’s available in different aging varieties, and while the more mature cheeses have a longer shelf life, all of them are fairly resilient in your fridge.

Gruyère Recipes to Try:

Pommes Anna with Gruyere
Chicken Gruyere with Sauteed Mushrooms

Gouda

How long it stays fresh: 4 to 6 weeks after opening

Signs it’s spoiled: Red or black mold, dryness

Gouda offers a wide variety of flavors, from the mild and creamy young versions to the rich, caramelized older ones. As with most cheeses, the younger varieties have a shorter shelf life than their more aged counterparts.

Gouda Recipes to Try:

Pork Chops Stuffed with Smoked Gouda and Bacon
Cheesy Quinoa Pilaf with Spinach

Feta in Brine

How long it stays fresh: 3 to 4 weeks after opening

Signs it’s spoiled: Mold, a sour, yeasty odor

Cheeses with higher moisture content tend to spoil quickly, but Feta in brine lasts a bit longer, thanks to its saltwater preservation. The brine helps keep the cheese fresher and prevents mold, though an off, fermented smell is a clear sign that it's gone bad.

Feta Recipes to Try:

Spinach and Feta Pita Bake
Avocado Feta Salsa

Blue

How long it stays fresh: 2 to 3 weeks after opening

Signs it’s spoiled: Red or black mold, significant texture changes, a sour, yeasty odor

Blue cheese has a unique preservation method—it’s best wrapped in aluminum foil. Its higher moisture content and intentional mold make it more temperamental. If you notice the texture deteriorating or drying out, it's time to discard it.

Blue Cheese Recipes to Try: