How long does cheddar cheese last?
A block of cheddar can last for weeks, and a small spot of mold doesn't always mean the whole thing is done. Here's what to keep, what to cut and what to toss.
By Justin and Mary KatzmanSix months in the fridge unopened (three to four weeks once opened) and six months in the freezer. Keep it in the fridge, not the pantry.
Cheddar cheese, case by case
Left out at room temperature
About two hours, or one hour above 90°F. Hard cheese is more forgiving than soft, but it sweats and can spoil, so don't leave a cheese board out all afternoon.
Unopened in the fridge
Up to about six months, per FoodKeeper. Keep it sealed in its original wrapper until you're ready to use it, then follow the opened-cheese timing.
Signs cheddar cheese has gone bad
- There's mold. On hard cheese, cut off at least 1 inch around the spot.
- The surface is slimy.
- It smells sour or like ammonia.
Before you toss it
Past its best but still safe? Try one of these.
- Dried-out or crumbly cheddar still melts well. Grate it into mac and cheese, quesadillas or a baked potato.
- Shred it and freeze it in a bag, so you can toss it into casseroles and soups straight from the freezer.
How to store cheddar cheese
- Keep it in the cheese drawer, where it's less likely to dry out.
- Frozen cheddar turns crumbly. Shred it first and use it for cooking.
Cheddar cheese by the numbers
The average American goes through about 0.6 lb a week. If your household eats less than that, buy smaller and less ends up in the trash.
A pound at $6.13 keeps about six weeks in the fridge. Buy the bigger pack only if you'll use it in time.
What cheddar cheese costs now
$6.13 a pound (cheddar), up 18% since January 2020. Its price barely moves with the seasons.
National average price per pound (cheddar), monthly. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Cook it before it turns
26 Haivenly starter recipes use cheddar cheese. Here are a few to start with.
Questions about cheddar cheese
How long does cheddar cheese last in the fridge?
Six months unopened, going by USDA FoodKeeper guidance. Your fridge temperature and how fresh it was when you bought it can change that, so check it before you use it.
Is it safe to cut mold off cheddar?
For hard cheese like cheddar, USDA says yes. Cut off at least 1 inch around and below the mold, keeping the knife out of the mold itself. Throw out shredded, sliced or crumbled cheese with mold.
Can you freeze cheddar cheese?
Yes, for several months. The texture gets crumblier after thawing, so it's best for cooking and melting rather than slicing. Freezing shredded cheese works well.
What are the white spots on cheddar?
Often they're calcium lactate crystals, which are harmless and common in aged cheddar. If the spots are fuzzy or colored, that's mold, so follow the mold guidance instead.
Should cheddar be stored in the fridge door?
No. The door warms up each time it opens. Keep cheese in the main part of the fridge, in the cheese or crisper drawer if you have one.
How long does cheddar last once opened?
Hard cheese like cheddar keeps about three to four weeks after opening, according to USDA, when it's well wrapped and kept at 40°F (4°C) or below.
Use every last bit of your cheddar cheese.
The average American tosses about $22 of cheese a year. Haivenly learns how fast your household goes through it, so you hear about it while there's still time to cook it.
More foods to check
Eggs
Dairy & eggs- Fridge
- 3–5 weeks
- Freezer
- Not advised
- Pantry
- Keep cold
Milk
Dairy & eggs- Fridge
- Use-by date
- Freezer
- 3 months
- Pantry
- Keep cold
Cooked chicken
Leftovers- Fridge
- 3–4 days
- Freezer
- 2–3 months
- Pantry
- Keep cold
Raw chicken breast
Meat & poultry- Fridge
- 1–2 days
- Freezer
- 9 months
- Pantry
- Keep cold
Cooked rice
Leftovers- Fridge
- 4–6 days
- Freezer
- 6 months
- Pantry
- Keep cold