How Long Does Feta Cheese Last?
Opened feta lasts about 1 week in the fridge, and up to 2 weeks if the block stays submerged in brine. It can be frozen for up to 6 months, though it becomes drier and more crumbly.
Feta Cheese — opened
shelf life- Unopened: 1–2 weeks in the fridge
Fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below · freezer at 0°F (−18°C). Freezer times are for best quality; frozen food stays safe longer.
Feta is a soft, salty white cheese traditionally made from sheep's or goat's milk and cured in brine. The brine is what preserves it: a block kept submerged stays moist and protected, while dry crumbles in a tub are exposed to air and lose quality within days. Its high moisture still makes it a soft cheese for food-safety purposes.
How to store feta cheese
- Keep a block of feta submerged in its brine in a sealed container; if there is not enough, top it up with 2 teaspoons of salt dissolved in 1 cup of water.
- Take pieces out with a clean fork. Fingers in the brine are the quickest way to make it cloudy and slimy.
- Reseal tubs of crumbled feta tightly and use them within a week, since the crumbles have no brine protecting them.
- If feta tastes too salty after brine storage, soak the portion you are about to eat in plain water or milk for a few minutes.
How to tell if feta cheese has gone bad
- A sour, yeasty or spoiled-milk smell that goes beyond feta's normal sharp tang.
- A slimy or sticky surface, or brine that has turned thick, ropy or murky.
- Any spots of mold, or yellow, pink or dark discoloration on the normally pure white cheese.
- Crumbles that have dried into hard, yellowish pellets with a peppery, bitter taste.
Bacteria that cause food poisoning usually do not change the look, smell or taste of food. Go by the time limits first, and the signs above second.
Feta Cheese shelf life chart
| State | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opened | 1 week | 6 months | Not safe |
| Crumbles or a block out of brine. A block kept fully under brine keeps 1–2 weeks. | |||
| Unopened | 1–2 weeks | 6 months | Not safe |
| Sealed, brine-packed feta is dated much further out by the maker; use the printed date. | |||
Not safe = perishable: no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90°F / 32°C). Not recommended = possible, but quality suffers or it serves no purpose.
Frequently asked questions
How long does feta last once opened?
Opened feta lasts about 1 week in the fridge as crumbles or a dry block, and 1–2 weeks when a block is kept completely covered in brine. Those are conservative soft-cheese figures in line with USDA guidance. Throw it away sooner if it becomes slimy or smells sour.
Can you cut mold off feta cheese?
No. Feta is a soft, moist cheese, and mold roots and accompanying bacteria can spread through it invisibly. USDA recommends discarding soft and crumbled cheeses that show mold, along with the brine they were sitting in. Only hard cheeses can be safely trimmed.
Can you freeze feta cheese?
Yes, for up to about 6 months. Drain it, pat it dry, and freeze blocks wrapped tightly or crumbles in a freezer bag. Thawed feta is drier, more crumbly and slightly less tangy, which is fine for spanakopita, baked feta pasta, omelets and other cooked dishes.
Is feta cheese safe to eat during pregnancy?
Feta made from pasteurized milk is considered safe in pregnancy, according to FDA and CDC advice on soft cheeses. Avoid feta made from raw, unpasteurized milk because of Listeria risk. Check the label for the word pasteurized, keep it cold, and respect the storage times.
Related foods
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goat Cheese Opened |
1 week | 6 months | Not safe |
| Mozzarella Opened |
1 week | 6 months | Not safe |
| Blue Cheese Opened |
1–2 weeks | 6 months | Not safe |
| Ricotta Opened |
1 week | Not recommended | Not safe |
| Olives Opened |
2 weeks | Not recommended | Not safe |
| Hummus Opened |
5–7 days | 4 months | Not safe |
More fresh & soft cheese: Brie, Cottage Cheese, Cream Cheese.
Reviewed 2026-09-20. Times follow published USDA FoodKeeper / FSIS, FDA and CDC storage guidance; where sources differ we use the shorter time. How we compile this data.