How long can you keep fresh mozzarella in the fridge?
Emma Horne
Published Mar 31, 2026
How long can you keep fresh mozzarella in the fridge?
Once you open it, fresh mozzarella or burrata will keep refrigerated for five days. Same goes for shredded mozzarella, despite whatever date is stamped on the package. Loaf mozzarella has a 21-day refrigerator shelf life once opened, and smoked mozzarella will keep for 28 days, according to Strange.
Do you have to refrigerate fresh mozzarella?
Because mozzarella is a fresh cheese, it does not keep very long. Prized for its soft center and milky taste, high-quality mozzarella is usually never refrigerated. To keep the mozzarella cool but not too cold, you can submerge the bag in cold water on your kitchen counter before serving.
Can I freeze fresh mozzarella?
Freezing fresh mozzarella noticeably alters its texture, and the taste often suffers a bit too. The cheese is no longer soft and smooth but becomes dry and crumbly. Such cheese definitely won’t make the cut for an addition to your breakfast sandwiches but is usually good enough if melted.
How do you keep fresh mozzarella from going bad?
How to store fresh mozzarella with water
- Keep the cheese in the liquid bath and refridge it. The mozzarella should remain fresh and safe to eat within 3 to 4 days.
- Replace the whey with a brine solution.
- You can also place the cheese in a glass or ceramic bowl.
Does mozzarella cheese go bad in the fridge?
Normally, a fresh unopened and refrigerated mozzarella cheese will last for about four to six weeks. If you’ve opened it, the mozzarella cheese should be refrigerated, and it shall last for a week. It might not go bad right after, but it definitely won’t have the same taste.
How long can fresh mozzarella sit out for?
(Sound gross, sure. But remember that soft, ripened cheeses are made with the help of bacteria.) So if you’re being extra cautious, follow the USDA guidelines that recommend you toss perishable foods, including soft cheese, that have been left out at room temperature for longer than two hours.
How bad is fresh mozzarella for you?
Mozzarella tastes delicious in Caprese salad — made with fresh tomatoes, basil, and balsamic vinegar — and can also be added to many recipes. Summary Mozzarella is a soft cheese that’s lower in sodium and calories than most other cheeses. It also contains probiotics that may boost your immune system.
Can I use out of date mozzarella?
Tightly packaged, properly refrigerated, mozzarella cheese lasts as long as six months, but once opened, storage time drops to about one month. Even if there is a little mold growing, consuming “expired” cheese can be safe — as long as you cut off the mold and it still smells alright.
How long will fresh mozzarella last unopened?
four to six weeks
Generally, vacuum-sealed containers of unopened, refrigerated fresh mozzarella will last up to four to six weeks from the date of manufacture, assuming that it’s salted. You should also check the use-by date on the package. Once opened, it should be refrigerated and used within four to seven days.
What can you make with fresh mozzarella?
Fresh mozzarella, with its creamy texture and mild flavor, pairs beautifully with ciabatta bread to make everything from appetizers to salads to main dishes. You can’t go wrong with classic tomato-based combinations, but don’t be afraid to mix it up. Many other vegetables, as well as meats, work in recipes containing these two ingredients.
How do you make homemade mozzarella?
To make homemade mozzarella cheese you will need non-chlorinated water, citric acid, rennet, whole milk, and salt. Dissolve citric acid in 1 cup water. If using rennet tablets, dissolve in 1/4 cup of citric acid water or dilute the liquid rennet in amount of water specified on the bottle.
Can you freeze shredded mozzarella?
Shredded mozzarella can be frozen in the original package, or it can be removed and placed in airtight packaging, such as a sealed plastic bag. If you do not need to freeze mozzarella for very long, the original package can be put into a sealed bag before freezing.
How do you store mozzarella cheese?
The best way to keep mozzarella fresh is to store it in the refrigerator in a container of cold water. Change the water daily. Store mozzarella cheese in the refrigerator at a temperature between 34 degrees F. and 40 degrees F. Remove from the refrigerator at least 1 hour before you plan to serve it.
Fresh mozzarella, with its creamy texture and mild flavor, pairs beautifully with ciabatta bread to make everything from appetizers to salads to main dishes. You can’t go wrong with classic tomato-based combinations, but don’t be afraid to mix it up. Many other vegetables, as well as meats, work in recipes containing these two ingredients.
To make homemade mozzarella cheese you will need non-chlorinated water, citric acid, rennet, whole milk, and salt. Dissolve citric acid in 1 cup water. If using rennet tablets, dissolve in 1/4 cup of citric acid water or dilute the liquid rennet in amount of water specified on the bottle.
Shredded mozzarella can be frozen in the original package, or it can be removed and placed in airtight packaging, such as a sealed plastic bag. If you do not need to freeze mozzarella for very long, the original package can be put into a sealed bag before freezing.
The best way to keep mozzarella fresh is to store it in the refrigerator in a container of cold water. Change the water daily. Store mozzarella cheese in the refrigerator at a temperature between 34 degrees F. and 40 degrees F. Remove from the refrigerator at least 1 hour before you plan to serve it.