← Use it up
What to do with cheese before it goes bad
Short answer: Opened hard cheese like cheddar or Swiss keeps 3–4 weeks in the fridge and about 6 months frozen. Shredded cheese keeps about 1 month in the fridge and 3–4 months frozen. Soft cheese like brie keeps 1–2 weeks (USDA FoodKeeper).
8 ways to use it up
- Mac and cheese. Melt odds and ends together into a sauce.
- Grilled cheese. Mix two or three kinds for the filling.
- Quesadillas. Any melting cheese works.
- Frittata or omelet. Fold in grated cheese at the end.
- Cheesy rice or polenta. Stir it in right before serving.
- Pasta bake. Top a baked pasta with whatever cheese needs using.
- Freeze it grated. Grate hard cheese and freeze it for cooking.
- Cheese crisps. Bake small piles of grated cheese until crisp.
How long it keeps
| Food | Fridge (40°F / 4°C) | Freezer (0°F) |
|---|---|---|
| Hard cheese (cheddar, Swiss), opened | 3–4 weeks | 6 months |
| Shredded cheese | 1 month | 3–4 months |
| Soft cheese (brie, goat) | 1–2 weeks | 6 months |
| Cream cheese | 2 weeks | Not recommended |
Common questions
How long does cheese last after opening?
Hard cheese keeps 3–4 weeks in the fridge once opened (USDA FoodKeeper).
Can you freeze cheese?
Hard cheese freezes for about 6 months and shredded cheese 3–4 months; it gets crumbly, so cook with it.
Is cheese with mold safe?
For hard cheese, USDA advises cutting off at least 1 inch around the mold. Throw out soft cheese with mold.
Related
Storage times: USDA FoodKeeper data. Recipe ideas are general suggestions. General information, not medical advice.