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Dairy & Eggs
How long does hard cheese last?
Aged hard cheeses.
Quick answer
Fridge (40°F / 4°C)
6 months
6 months unopened; 6 weeks opened
Freezer (0°F / -18°C)
6 months
Crumbles after thaw — fine for cooking
After opening
1 month
After opening, well-wrapped
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Signs hard cheese has gone bad
- •Mold (cut 1 inch around — rest safe)
- •Dried out and cracked (still usable)
- •Ammonia smell
Storage tips
- ✓Hard cheese: cut mold + 1 inch, rest safe (USDA)
- ✓Wax paper > plastic wrap
- ✓Last past 'best by' for weeks
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Sources & review
Compiled by the BestByDates editorial team. Last reviewed: January 2025. Spotted an error? Let us know.
Disclaimer: Times shown are USDA/FDA-recommended best quality periods, not absolute safety guarantees. Storage conditions, packaging, and food handling all affect actual shelf life. When in doubt, throw it out.