How Long Does Burrata Last?
Burrata is a fresh cheese with a cream-filled center. Keep it cold in its original liquid and follow its own use-by and opened-pack directions. M&S says to keep its product in brine and eat within one day after opening; that instruction is product-specific and its endpoint is unstated.
Quick answer
Keep burrata refrigerated at the temperature on the pack and check the use-by date. M&S’s Deliziosa Creamery product says to refrigerate and refer to the top-of-pack use-by date; Buffa provides its own chilled storage instruction. These are named product examples, not a universal shelf-life period.
Use the date and continuous cold-storage instructions printed on your exact package.
Keep the remaining cheese in its original brine if the package directs this, close the container, and return it promptly to the refrigerator. M&S says to eat its burrata within one day after opening; the source does not classify the endpoint as quality or safety. Do not transfer this limit to a different brand.
M&S’s instruction starts at opening for that exact product; its endpoint is unstated and does not extend beyond the printed use-by date.
Serve only the portion needed and keep the rest refrigerated. FoodSafety.gov says perishables should not remain unrefrigerated beyond two hours, or one hour when ambient temperatures exceed 90°F (32°C). Use an ice bath or return the dish to cold storage during longer service.
Count preparation, transport, and serving exposure cumulatively; chilling later does not restart the clock.
M&S says its named product is not suitable for freezing. That cannot be generalized to every formulation, but freezing can alter the delicate cream-filled texture. Follow your own maker’s instructions; no universal freezer method or quality duration is established here.
No general freezer interval or thawing method is assigned.
Discard immediately if
- Discard burrata with broken or leaking packaging, visible mold, contamination, or uncertain temperature abuse.
- Do not use a normal smell, color, or taste to prove a fresh dairy product is safe.
Why guidance varies
Burrata is a fresh mozzarella shell filled with cream and shredded mozzarella, rather than a firm block cheese. Pack liquid, pasteurization, manufacturing date, and opened-pack directions vary. M&S’s Deliziosa Creamery product has a particularly short opened instruction; Buffa gives a different market-specific package direction, so use the label in hand rather than a universal period.
Burrata is not a firm mozzarella block
Burrata pairs a mozzarella outer shell with a soft center made from cream and shredded mozzarella. M&S’s product listing identifies mozzarella and cream in its ingredient panel, while Buffa also describes burrata as mozzarella with cream. This high-moisture, filled structure explains why it is sold chilled and why its opened directions may differ from a firm cheese block. Keep this guide limited to packaged refrigerated burrata.
Keep the center in its package liquid
Leave unopened burrata in its original packaging and follow the use-by date and temperature on the label. M&S says its product should remain refrigerated and, after opening, remain in brine. Other makers may specify different liquid or container instructions. Use the label on your own pack, close it carefully, and return the cheese to the refrigerator promptly after serving.
Opened instructions belong to the exact pack
M&S publishes an instruction to keep its Deliziosa Creamery burrata in brine and eat it within one day of opening; its source does not say whether that endpoint is about quality or safety. This is a specific UK retail product, not a general burrata rule. Follow the printed use-by and opened-pack directions on your exact package, and never use an opened instruction to extend the use-by date.
Treat serving as perishable-food exposure
Keep burrata refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or below and put it out shortly before serving. FoodSafety.gov says perishable foods should be refrigerated within two hours, shortened to one hour above 90°F (32°C). Keep the serving bowl over ice during a longer meal. M&S says its burrata is not suitable for freezing; other makers may differ, so follow the exact package rather than assuming freezing is either universally acceptable or forbidden.
Match the product state, storage conditions and source clock above. This guide does not provide an automatic expiry timer.
Frequently asked questions
How long does burrata last after opening?
M&S says to keep its burrata in brine and eat it within one day after opening; its page does not state whether that is a quality or safety endpoint. Follow the label on your own product.
Should burrata stay in its liquid?
Yes, when the package’s directions say so. M&S specifically says to keep its product in brine after opening; retain the original liquid and close the pack as directed.
Can burrata sit out at room temperature?
Keep it refrigerated until serving and limit unrefrigerated time to two hours, or one hour above 90°F (32°C), under FoodSafety.gov’s general perishable-food rule.
Can burrata be frozen?
M&S says its named burrata is not suitable for freezing. Follow your product’s package; this page does not assign a universal freezing method or duration.
Sources for this answer
- B M&S — Italian Burrata (Deliziosa Creamery) — M&S identifies mozzarella and UHT cream in this burrata, says to refrigerate, preserve the brine after opening, follow the pack use-by date, and not freeze its product.
- B Buffa — Burrata 150 g — This maker describes burrata as mozzarella with cream and gives its own chilled storage range plus product-specific opened-pack directions.
- A FoodSafety.gov — 4 Steps to Food Safety — Refrigerate perishable foods promptly, keep the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, and limit unrefrigerated time to two hours, or one hour above 90°F (32°C).
- A FDA — Are You Storing Food Safely? — Follow the product label and do not infer safety from normal appearance or odor.