All About Cream cheese
Your complete guide to cream cheese - discover how to store it properly, identify when it's gone bad, and find the best substitutes for your recipes.
How Long Does Cream cheese Last?
Storage times and freshness tips for cream 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.
Opened in Refrigerator1-2 weeks
Signs of Spoilage
Visible mold (green, pink, black, or fuzzy spots), strong sour, yeasty, or unpleasant off-odor, significant discoloration (yellowing, browning, or graying), hardened or crumbly texture, excessively watery or slimy surface.
How to Check
-
Visual Inspection: Look carefully for any mold growth, discoloration, or unusual textures. Mold can appear as small spots.
-
Smell Test: Fresh cream cheese has a mild, slightly tangy, milky scent. A strong sour, yeasty, or putrid smell is a clear sign of spoilage.
-
Texture Test: Fresh cream cheese is smooth and spreadable. If it's unusually hard, crumbly, or has a slimy film, it's likely spoiled. Discard if any of these signs are present.
Storage Tips
Always use clean utensils to scoop out cream cheese to prevent cross-contamination. Reseal the container tightly after each use or transfer to an airtight container to minimize air exposure, which can accelerate spoilage. Do not try to scrape off mold; cream cheese is a soft dairy product, and mold roots can extend deep into the product.
Unopened in RefrigeratorUp to 1-2 weeks past 'best by' date, if stored properly
Signs of Spoilage
Puffy or bloated packaging, visible mold (even small, fuzzy spots), yellowish or brownish discoloration, strong sour or yeasty smell when opened.
How to Check
Visually inspect the packaging for any signs of puffiness, which can indicate gas production from bacterial growth. Check the 'best by' date. While safe for a short period past this date, quality may decline. If the packaging seems compromised, discard it.
Storage Tips
Store in the coldest part of your refrigerator. Do not freeze cream cheese in its original container if it's not freezer-safe, as it can burst.
In Freezer1-2 months for best quality, up to 6 months for safety
Signs of Spoilage
While freezing prevents microbial spoilage, quality can degrade. Signs include freezer burn (dry, discolored patches), significant texture changes (very crumbly, watery, or grainy after thawing), or an off-flavor after thawing.
How to Check
After thawing, visually inspect for unusual discoloration or excessive water separation. The texture will almost certainly be altered, becoming more crumbly and less smooth. Smell it after thawing; it should still have a mild, pleasant dairy scent. If it smells off, discard it.
Storage Tips
Freezing significantly alters the texture of cream cheese, making it more crumbly and watery when thawed. It's generally not recommended for uses where a smooth, creamy texture is essential (e.g., frosting, plain spreading). However, it works well for baked goods (like cheesecakes), cooked dishes, or dips where the texture change is less noticeable. For best results, transfer to an airtight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag before freezing. Thaw slowly in the refrigerator. Do not refreeze thawed cream cheese.