How long does cheese last?

Checked 24 Oct 20267 official publishers, 13 sources

Hard, unopened: 6 months in the fridge and 4-6 months in the freezer for best quality.

Official stance

“Cheese keeps best in the refrigerator.” Extension

Storage times for cheese by state and place
State	Counter / pantry	Fridge 40 °F	Freezer 0 °F
Hard, unopened	Not stated	6 months FoodKeeper Extension Extension	4-6 months best quality Extension Sources disagree: 6 months FoodKeeper Extension Extension
Hard, opened	Not stated	3-4 weeks FoodKeeper Extension	Not stated
Soft	2 hours max CDC	1-2 weeks FoodKeeper Extension	Not recommended Extension Sources disagree: 6 months FoodKeeper Extension Extension
Shredded	2 hours max CDC	1 month FoodKeeper Extension	3-4 months best quality FoodKeeper Extension
Parmesan, shredded or grated	Not stated	12 months FoodKeeper	Not recommended FoodKeeper
Processed	Not stated	3-4 weeks FoodKeeper Extension Also stated: 8 months (vacuum package) Extension	Not recommended FoodKeeper Extension Sources disagree: 4-6 months Extension
String cheese	Not stated	5 months FoodKeeper	Not stated

Times assume continuous refrigeration at 40 °F or below. When in doubt, throw it out. Freezer times are for quality: “Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.” FDA

Signs it has gone bad

“Hard cheese (Cheddar, Swiss, or Parmesan) Use within 4 months of the date on the package. Discard if mold develops.” Extension
“Medium (muenster, brick, or mozzarella) Use these within 2 months of the date on the package. Discard if mold develops.” Extension

Sources compared

Source	State	Counter / pantry	Fridge	Freezer
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Hard, unopened	-	6 months	6 months
Nebraska Extension	Hard, unopened	-	6 months	6 months
Utah State University Extension	Hard, unopened	-	6 months	-
National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia)	Hard, unopened	-	-	6 months
University of Illinois Extension	Hard, unopened	-	-	4-6 months
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Hard, opened	-	3-4 weeks	-
Nebraska Extension	Hard, opened	-	3-4 weeks	-
Nebraska Extension	Soft	Not recommended	1-2 weeks	6 months
National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia)	Soft	-	-	6 months
University of Illinois Extension	Soft	-	-	Not recommended
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Soft	-	1-2 weeks	6 months
CDC 2025	Soft	2 hours	-	-
Nebraska Extension	Shredded	Not recommended	1 month	3-4 months
CDC 2025	Shredded	2 hours	-	-
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Shredded	-	1 month	3-4 months
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Parmesan, shredded or grated	-	12 months	Not recommended
Nebraska Extension	Processed	-	3-4 weeks	Not recommended
Utah State University Extension	Processed	-	8 months	-
University of Illinois Extension	Processed	-	-	4-6 months
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Processed	-	3-4 weeks	Not recommended
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	String cheese	-	5 months	-

A dash means that source gives no time for that place.

Handling and freezing notes

“If necessary, hard or semi-hard cheese can be frozen if cut in 1-1/2- to 1-pound sizes and packaged in moisture-vapor resistant material.” Extension
“This cheese may become crumbly and mealy when frozen, but will retain its flavor.” Extension
“Shred or slice into smaller pieces before freezing for best results.” Extension
“Butter, Eggs, Milk and Cheese - Place the frozen product in the refrigerator to thaw. After thawing, it can be used as fresh.” Extension

What the sources say

FoodKeeper sorts cheese by type, and the fridge times differ widely: hard cheese such as cheddar, Swiss or block parmesan keeps 6 months unopened, but soft cheese such as brie keeps 1 to 2 weeks.¹⁶

The Nebraska Extension chart gives the same 6 months for unopened hard cheese and 3 to 4 weeks once it is opened, matching FoodKeeper.²¹

Utah State University Extension lists 6 months for Swiss cheese in a vacuum package at 38 to 40 °F, and 8 months for processed American cheese packed the same way.³

In the freezer, FoodKeeper, the Nebraska chart and the National Center for Home Food Preservation give 6 months for hard cheese, while the University of Illinois Extension gives 4 to 6 months and suggests shredding or slicing it into smaller pieces first.¹²⁴⁵

The National Center for Home Food Preservation says cheese keeps best in the refrigerator, and that hard or semi-hard cheese frozen in pieces of 1 to 1-1/2 pounds may become crumbly and mealy but will retain its flavor.⁴

Soft cheese is where the sources part ways on freezing: FoodKeeper, Nebraska and the National Center give 6 months, but the University of Illinois Extension says soft cheese such as brie does not freeze well.⁶²⁴⁵

Shredded cheddar or mozzarella keeps 1 month in the fridge and 3 to 4 months in the freezer in both FoodKeeper and the Nebraska chart, which also marks it as not safe at room temperature.⁸²

FoodKeeper gives shredded or grated parmesan 12 months in the fridge and lists freezing it as not recommended.⁹

For processed cheese, FoodKeeper and the Nebraska chart give 3 to 4 weeks in the fridge; FoodKeeper lists freezing as not recommended and Nebraska says it does not freeze well, while the University of Illinois Extension lists 4 to 6 months in the freezer for processed loaves and slices.¹⁰²⁵

FoodKeeper lists string cheese at 5 months in the fridge from the date of purchase.¹¹

The University of Wisconsin-Extension counts from the package date instead: hard cheese within 4 months of it and medium cheese such as muenster, brick or mozzarella within 2 months, discarding either if mold develops.¹²

To use frozen cheese, the National Center for Home Food Preservation says to thaw it in the refrigerator, after which it can be used as fresh.¹³

Rules that apply here

The 2-hour rule Freezing and refreezing Thawing safely Fridge and freezer temperature Best-by and use-by dates

Cream cheese Cottage cheese Butter Milk

Sources

USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 3: Cheese, hard such as cheddar, swiss, block parmesan. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Cheese, hard such as cheddar, swiss, block parmesan. DOP_Refrigerate: 6 Months; Refrigerate_After_Opening: 3-4 Weeks; DOP_Freeze: 6 Months
Home Food Storage | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Cheese, hard - Cheddar, Swiss, block Parmesan, etc. - 6 months (unopened)Cheese, hard - Cheddar, Swiss, block Parmesan, etc. - 6 months (unopened); 3 to 4 weeks (opened) 6 monthsCheese, hard - Cheddar, Swiss, block Parmesan, etc. - 6 months (unopened); 3 to 4 weeks (opened)Cheese, soft - Brie, Bel Paese, etc. Not safe 1 to 2 weeks 6 monthsCheese, shredded - Cheddar, Mozzarella, etc. Not safe 1 month 3 to 4 monthsCheese, processed - 3 to 4 weeks Does not freeze well
Food Storage in Home | USU. Utah State University Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Swiss cheese vacuum package 38-40°F refrigerator 6 monthsProcessed American cheeses vacuum package 38-40°F refrigerator 8 months
Freezing Cheese - National Center for Home Food Preservation. National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Hard cheese (such as cheddar and Swiss), 6 monthsSoft cheese (such as Brie), 6 monthsCheese keeps best in the refrigerator.If necessary, hard or semi-hard cheese can be frozen if cut in 1-1/2- to 1-pound sizes and packaged in moisture-vapor resistant material.This cheese may become crumbly and mealy when frozen, but will retain its flavor.
Freezer Storage | Food Safety | Illinois Extension | Illinois. University of Illinois Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Cheese Hard): Cheddar, Swiss, etc. 4 to 6 months.Cheese (Soft): Brie, Cottage Does not freeze well.Cheese (Processed): Loaves, Slices 4 to 6 monthsShred or slice into smaller pieces before freezing for best results.
USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 7: Cheese, soft such as brie, bel paese, goat. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Cheese, soft such as brie, bel paese, goat. DOP_Refrigerate: 1-2 Weeks; DOP_Freeze: 6 Months
Preventing Food Poisoning | Food Safety | CDC. CDC. Dated 2025-11-24. Checked 2026-10-24. Never leave perishable food out for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if exposed to temperatures above 90°F).
USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 5: Cheese, shredded; cheddar, mozzarella, etc.. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Cheese, shredded; cheddar, mozzarella, etc.. DOP_Refrigerate: 1 Months; DOP_Freeze: 3-4 Months
USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 4: Cheese, parmesan; shredded or grated. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Cheese, parmesan; shredded or grated. DOP_Refrigerate: 12 Months; Freeze: Not Recommended
USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 6: Cheese, processed slices. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Cheese, processed slices. DOP_Refrigerate: 3-4 Weeks; Freeze: Not Recommended
USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 544: String Cheese. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. String Cheese. DOP_Refrigerate: 5 Months
Safe and Healthy: Food Product Dating. University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Hard cheese (Cheddar, Swiss, or Parmesan) Use within 4 months of the date on the package. Discard if mold develops.Medium (muenster, brick, or mozzarella) Use these within 2 months of the date on the package. Discard if mold develops.
Thawing and Preparing Foods for Serving - National Center for Home Food Preservation. National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia). No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Butter, Eggs, Milk and Cheese - Place the frozen product in the refrigerator to thaw. After thawing, it can be used as fresh.
REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER STORAGE CHART. FDA. Dated 2018-03-01. Checked 2026-10-24. Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.