Dairy & Eggs Shelf Life & Storage Times
Milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, and eggs.
32+ foods USDA data Fridge, freezer & pantry
Dairy and eggs need consistent cold storage at 40°F (4°C) or below. Sell-by dates are quality guides, not safety deadlines — but opened containers spoil faster than unopened ones.
Fridge storage times for dairy and eggs:
| Food | Typical storage |
|---|---|
| Eggs (raw, in shell) | Fridge 3–5 weeks |
| Milk (whole) | Fridge 5–7 days after opening · Freezer 3–6 months |
| Yogurt | Fridge 1–2 weeks after opening · Freezer 1–2 months |
| Hard cheese (cheddar, parmesan) | Fridge 3–6 weeks after opening · Freezer 6–8 months |
| Butter | Fridge 1–3 months · Freezer 6–9 months |
| Soft cheese (brie, mozzarella) | Fridge 1–2 weeks after opening |
| Cream cheese | Fridge 1–2 weeks after opening |
| Sour cream | Fridge 2–3 weeks after opening |
Common questions
- Are eggs safe after the carton date?
- Refrigerated eggs are often fine 3–5 weeks after purchase if kept at 40°F and shells are intact. Float-test or crack into a bowl if unsure.
All dairy & eggs storage times
- Eggs (raw, in shell) Fridge 3–5 weeks
- Milk (whole) Fridge 5–7 days after opening · Freezer 3–6 months
- Yogurt Fridge 1–2 weeks after opening · Freezer 1–2 months
- Hard cheese (cheddar, parmesan) Fridge 3–6 weeks after opening · Freezer 6–8 months
- Butter Fridge 1–3 months · Freezer 6–9 months
- Soft cheese (brie, mozzarella) Fridge 1–2 weeks after opening
- Cream cheese Fridge 1–2 weeks after opening
- Sour cream Fridge 2–3 weeks after opening
- Cottage cheese Fridge 7–10 days · Freezer 3 months
- Heavy cream (unopened) Fridge 1–2 weeks · Freezer 4 months
- Ice cream Freezer 2–3 months
- Parmesan (block) Fridge 6–9 months · Freezer 1 year
- Feta cheese Fridge 1–2 weeks · Freezer 3 months
- Skim milk Fridge 7 days · Freezer 3 months
- Almond milk (opened) Fridge 7–10 days · Freezer 3 months
- Swiss cheese Fridge 3–4 weeks · Freezer 6–9 months
- Goat cheese Fridge 1–2 weeks · Freezer 3–4 months
- Whipped cream Fridge 1–2 days · Freezer 2–3 months
- Evaporated milk (opened) Fridge 4–5 days · Freezer 3–4 months
- Sweetened condensed milk (opened) Fridge 2–3 weeks · Freezer 3–4 months
- Buttermilk Fridge 1–2 weeks · Freezer 3–4 months
- Kefir Fridge 7–10 days · Freezer 3–4 months
- Ricotta cheese Fridge 5–7 days · Freezer 2–3 months
- Fresh mozzarella Fridge 5–7 days · Freezer 2–3 months
- Provolone cheese Fridge 3–4 weeks · Freezer 6–9 months
- Blue cheese Fridge 2–3 weeks · Freezer 6–9 months
- Gouda cheese Fridge 3–4 weeks · Freezer 6–9 months
- Lactose-free milk Fridge 7–10 days · Freezer 3–4 months
- Oat milk (opened) Fridge 7–10 days · Freezer 3–4 months
- Soy milk (opened) Fridge 7–10 days · Freezer 3–4 months
- Mascarpone cheese Fridge 5–7 days · Freezer 2–3 months
- Brie cheese Fridge 1–2 weeks · Freezer 6–9 months
