Food storage
How long does cheese last in the fridge?
Opened hard cheese lasts 1–3 weeks; soft cheese about a week. Wrap it in paper rather than cling film so it can breathe, and keep it in the fridge.
| Cheese | Fridge (opened) | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Hard (cheddar, parmesan) | 1–3 weeks | 6 months (grated) |
| Soft (brie, mozzarella) | ~1 week | Not ideal |
| Cream cheese | ~2 weeks | Not ideal |
| Grated cheese (opened) | ~1 week | 6 months |
How to store cheese
Wrap cheese in greaseproof or wax paper, then loosely in foil — cling film makes it sweat and go slimy. Keep it in the least-cold part of the fridge (a drawer), not the back where it can freeze.
What about mould?
On hard cheese, cut off at least 1cm around and below a spot of mould and the rest is fine. On soft cheese, grated or sliced cheese, throw the whole lot away if it’s mouldy.
Use it up
Cheese to get through? Toasties, pasta bakes, omelettes, jacket potatoes and gratins all help. Ask What’s in my Fridge for dinner ideas. See also: the full fridge storage chart.
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