How Do You Store Fresh Cheese?
Store fresh cheese cold and sealed, and eat it within a few days. Fresh cheeses such as mozzarella, burrata, ricotta, fresh goat cheese, and farmer's cheese are high in moisture and perishable, so keep them in the refrigerator at about 34 to 40F, in the main body of the fridge rather than the door. If the cheese came packed in liquid or brine, leave it submerged in that liquid until you use it. If it did not, wrap it snugly or place it in an airtight container so it does not dry out or pick up other smells. Most fresh cheese is best within three to seven days of opening, so buy what you will use soon.
Keep it cold and covered
Unlike hard aged cheeses, fresh cheese has a lot of water in it, which makes it a friendly place for bacteria and mold to grow if it warms up or sits exposed. The refrigerator should run at 40F or below, and fresh cheese belongs on a shelf inside, not in the door where the temperature swings every time it opens. Always cover it. Air dries out the surface and lets the cheese absorb odors from the fridge, both of which shorten its life and dull its flavor.
Cheeses packed in liquid or brine
Fresh mozzarella and burrata are usually sold floating in water or a light brine. That liquid keeps them moist and tender, so store the cheese right in it and keep the ball submerged. If you use only part of a ball, return the rest to the liquid, or make a simple brine of water with a little salt to cover it. Once the liquid is gone or has turned cloudy and off-smelling, the cheese is past its best.
Soft spreadable fresh cheeses
Ricotta, fresh chevre, farmer's cheese, and similar soft cheeses do best in an airtight container. Press a piece of parchment or the original wrapper against the surface to limit air, then seal the lid. Use a clean spoon each time rather than dipping a used knife, which introduces bacteria. These cheeses are usually best within about three to five days once opened. If you see mold on a soft fresh cheese, discard the whole portion, since mold can spread through high-moisture cheese in ways you cannot see.
Can you freeze fresh cheese?
Freezing changes the texture of fresh cheese, making it crumbly or watery once thawed, so it is not ideal if you want to eat it as is. The exception is mozzarella you plan to cook with: shredded or block mozzarella freezes acceptably for pizza, baked pasta, and similar dishes, where melting hides the texture change. For fresh cheeses you want to enjoy on their own, buy a smaller amount and keep it refrigerated instead.
Fresh cheeses to try from Madeline's
Fresh mozzarella; keep submerged in its liquid.
A soft fresh cheese for airtight storage.
Browse more in the Cheese collection.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does fresh cheese last in the fridge?
- Most fresh cheese is best within three to seven days of opening. Soft spreadable types like ricotta and fresh goat cheese lean toward the shorter end, while mozzarella kept in its liquid can reach the longer end. Always check the package date.
- Should I keep mozzarella in its water?
- Yes. Fresh mozzarella and burrata stay moist and tender when stored submerged in their packing liquid or a light salt brine. Keep the ball fully covered and refrigerated.
- What is the best way to wrap fresh cheese?
- For cheese not packed in liquid, wrap it snugly or use an airtight container, pressing parchment or the wrapper against the surface to limit air. This prevents drying and stops the cheese from absorbing fridge odors.
- Can I freeze fresh mozzarella?
- You can freeze mozzarella you plan to cook with, such as shredded or block mozzarella for pizza and baked dishes. Freezing makes the texture crumbly, so it is not ideal for cheese you want to eat fresh on its own.
- How do I know if fresh cheese has gone bad?
- Signs include mold, a sour or ammonia-like smell, a slimy surface, or cloudy, off-smelling packing liquid. If a soft fresh cheese shows mold, discard the whole portion rather than cutting it away.