Dairy & Eggs
How to Store Cheese
Let cheese breathe — wrap it in paper, not plastic.
Pantry
Not recommended
Fridge
Hard: 3–4 weeks; Soft: 1–2 weeks
Freezer
Up to 6 months (best for cooking)
How to store it
- •Wrap cheese in wax or parchment paper, then loosely in foil — plastic traps moisture and dulls flavor.
- •Store in the warmest part of the fridge, like the vegetable drawer.
- •Keep different cheeses separately to preserve their flavors.
Signs it has gone bad
- •Ammonia smell
- •Slimy surface
- •Unexpected fuzzy mold on soft cheese
- •Dried, cracked edges (hard cheese still usable if trimmed)
Pro tips
- •On hard cheese, cut 1 inch around a mold spot and the rest is fine.
- •Grate and freeze extra cheese for pizzas and pasta.
Frequently asked questions
How long does cheese last in the fridge?+
In the refrigerator, cheese keeps for hard: 3–4 weeks; soft: 1–2 weeks. Store it correctly and use the oldest first.
Can you freeze cheese?+
Yes. Cheese keeps in the freezer for up to 6 months (best for cooking). Wrap tightly and press out excess air to avoid freezer burn.
What is the best way to store cheese?+
Best kept in the refrigerator. Wrap cheese in wax or parchment paper, then loosely in foil — plastic traps moisture and dulls flavor.
How can you tell if cheese has gone bad?+
Signs that cheese has spoiled include: ammonia smell, slimy surface, unexpected fuzzy mold on soft cheese. When in doubt, throw it out.
Recipes to use your cheese
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