How long does cottage cheese last?

Checked 24 Oct 20267 official publishers, 8 sources

Unopened: 2 weeks in the fridge and freezing is not recommended.

Official stance

“Choose these instead ... Cottage cheese, cream cheese, string cheese, feta, and mozzarella, when made with pasteurized milk” CDC

Storage times for cottage cheese by state and place
StateCounter / pantryFridge 40 °FFreezer 0 °F
Unopened 2 hours max CDC 2 weeks FoodKeeper Extension Extension Not recommended FoodKeeper Extension Extension Extension
Opened 2 hours max CDC 1 week FoodKeeper Extension 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

Sources compared

SourceStateCounter / pantryFridgeFreezer
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Unopened-2 weeksNot recommended
Nebraska ExtensionUnopenedNot recommended2 weeksNot recommended
Utah State University ExtensionUnopened-14 days-
National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia)Unopened--Not recommended
University of Illinois ExtensionUnopened--Not recommended
CDC 2025Unopened2 hours--
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018Opened-1 week-
Nebraska ExtensionOpened-1 week-
CDC 2025Opened2 hours--

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

Handling and freezing notes

  • “Soft (cottage or cheese spread) Use within 10 days after the date on the package.” Extension

What the sources say

FoodKeeper gives cottage cheese 2 weeks in the fridge from the date of purchase and 1 week once it is opened, and the Nebraska Extension chart gives the same 2 weeks unopened and 1 week opened.12

Utah State University Extension lists 14 days for creamed cottage cheese in its original container at 38 to 40 °F.3

For the freezer, FoodKeeper lists freezing as not recommended, and Nebraska Extension, the University of Illinois Extension and the National Center for Home Food Preservation all say cottage cheese does not freeze well.1254

The National Center for Home Food Preservation names it alongside cream cheese and ricotta cheese, and Nebraska lists cottage and ricotta cheese in one row.42

The University of Wisconsin-Extension counts from the package date, advising to use soft cheese such as cottage cheese within 10 days after the date on the package.7

At room temperature, in a pantry or cupboard, the Nebraska chart marks cottage cheese as not safe.2

On its page about preventing Listeria infection, CDC lists cottage cheese made with pasteurized milk among the safer choices for people at higher risk, such as women who are pregnant and people 65 or older.8

The same CDC list tells those groups to avoid any type of cheese made with raw, unpasteurized milk.8

Rules that apply here

The 2-hour ruleFreezing and refreezingFridge and freezer temperatureBest-by and use-by dates
CheeseCream cheeseYogurtSour cream

Sources

  1. USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 9: Cottage cheese. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Cottage cheese. DOP_Refrigerate: 2 Weeks; Refrigerate_After_Opening: 1 Weeks; Freeze: Not Recommended
  2. Home Food Storage | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Cottage or ricotta cheese Not safe 2 weeks (unopened); 1 week (opened) Does not freeze wellCottage or ricotta cheese Not safe 2 weeks (unopened)Cottage or ricotta cheese Not safe 2 weeks (unopened); 1 week (opened)
  3. Food Storage in Home | USU. Utah State University Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Cottage cheese creamed original container 38-40°F refrigerator 14 days
  4. 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. Cream cheese, cottage cheese and ricotta cheese do not freeze well.
  5. Freezer Storage | Food Safety | Illinois Extension | Illinois. University of Illinois Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Cheese (Soft): Brie, Cottage Does not freeze well.
  6. 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).
  7. Safe and Healthy: Food Product Dating. University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Soft (cottage or cheese spread) Use within 10 days after the date on the package.
  8. Preventing Listeria Infection | Listeria Infection | CDC. CDC. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Choose these instead ... Cottage cheese, cream cheese, string cheese, feta, and mozzarella, when made with pasteurized milk
  9. 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.