All About Mozzarella cheese
Your complete guide to mozzarella cheese - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
How Long Does Mozzarella cheese Last?
Storage times and freshness tips for mozzarella cheese in different conditions.
Safety first: This guide provides general information. When in doubt, throw it out! Trust your senses and err on the side of caution. If something smells, looks, or tastes off, don't consume it.
Mozzarella (All Types): Frozen2-3 months for best quality, up to 6 months safely
Signs of Spoilage
Freezer burn (dry, discolored, leathery spots); significant texture changes (crumbly, mushy, or excessively watery after thawing); off-flavors (less common if properly frozen, more a sign of quality degradation).
How to Check
Visual: Look for excessive ice crystals or dry, discolored patches. Texture (after thawing): Fresh mozzarella will become very soft and watery. Low-moisture might be more crumbly. Smell/Taste (after thawing): Should still smell and taste cheesy, but with a less desirable texture. If it smells or tastes rancid, discard.
Storage Tips
Fresh mozzarella: Drain well, pat dry, then freeze in small portions in airtight freezer bags or containers. Expect significant texture change upon thawing; best used for cooked applications. Low-moisture block: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, or vacuum seal. Low-moisture shredded: Freeze in its original bag or an airtight freezer bag, removing air. Can be used directly from frozen for cooking. Thaw all types in the refrigerator.
Fresh Mozzarella (in brine/water): Unopened in Fridge1-2 weeks from purchase, or until 'best by' date
Signs of Spoilage
Cloudy or slimy liquid, sour/yeasty smell, visible mold (pink, green, black spots), extremely soft/mushy texture, yellowish or greyish discoloration of cheese.
How to Check
Visual: Check the liquid for cloudiness or sliminess. Inspect the cheese for mold or discoloration. Smell: Gently open and sniff. A clean, milky, slightly salty aroma is good. Sour, yeasty, or off-putting smells are bad. Touch: Through the packaging, feel for excessive softness or sliminess.
Storage Tips
Always store in its original liquid in the coldest part of your refrigerator. Do not drain until ready to use.
Low-Moisture Mozzarella (Block/Shredded): Unopened in Fridge2-4 weeks past 'best by' date (if properly sealed)
Signs of Spoilage
Hard, dry texture; strong sour or ammonia-like smell; visible mold (green, blue, black spots); yellowish or greyish discoloration.
How to Check
Visual: Inspect for mold growth, especially in crevices of shredded cheese or on the block surface. Look for discoloration. Smell: A slight milky smell is normal. Strong sour, rancid, or ammonia-like odors indicate spoilage. Touch: Block cheese might feel excessively hard. Shredded might clump excessively or feel dry.
Storage Tips
Keep tightly sealed in its original packaging in the refrigerator. The 'best by' date is for peak quality; it can often be safe for longer if properly stored.
Fresh Mozzarella (in brine/water): Opened in Fridge3-5 days
Signs of Spoilage
Strong sour, yeasty, or ammonia-like smell; slimy film on the cheese surface; visible mold (any color); very soft, mushy, or crumbly texture; discolored spots (yellow, grey, pink).
How to Check
Visual: Look for mold, discoloration, or a slimy film. Smell: Strong off-odors. Touch: Slimy or excessively soft texture. If you see any mold, discard immediately.
Storage Tips
To extend freshness, store opened fresh mozzarella in its original liquid (or lightly salted water if the original liquid was discarded) in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Change the water daily if not using the original brine.
Low-Moisture Mozzarella (Block/Shredded): Opened in Fridge5-7 days for shredded, 1-2 weeks for block
Signs of Spoilage
Visible mold (any color, especially green, blue, black); strong sour or ammonia smell; slimy or excessively hard/dry texture; discolored areas (yellowing, grey spots).
How to Check
Visual: Mold is the most obvious sign. Discoloration. Smell: Sniff for off-odors. Touch: Sliminess or excessive dryness/hardness. If mold is present on block cheese, you may be able to cut off at least a 1-inch margin around and below the mold, but for shredded or very soft cheese, it's safer to discard the entire product.
Storage Tips
For block cheese, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, or place in an airtight container to prevent drying out and mold. For shredded cheese, press out as much air as possible from the original bag and seal tightly, or transfer to an airtight container.