Shelf Life Tips
- How long does cream cheese last once opened? The exact answer to that question depends to a large extent on storage conditions - to maximize the shelf life of cream cheese, keep it refrigerated at all times.
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How long does cream cheese last after the sell-by date? An opened package of cream cheese will generally last for about one to two weeks after the "sell-by" date on the package, assuming it has been continuously refrigerated.
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How long can cream cheese be left at room temperature? Bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F; cream cheese should be discarded if left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
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To further extend the shelf life of cream cheese, freeze it: to freeze cream cheese, wrap tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place inside a heavy-duty freezer bag.
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Frozen cream cheese may become crumbly and lose some of its flavor; the thawed cream cheese will be best suited to cooked dishes, such as sauces, soups and casseroles.
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How long does cream cheese last in the freezer? Properly stored, it will maintain best quality for about 2 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.
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The freezer time shown is for best quality only - cream cheese that has been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
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How long does cream cheese last after being frozen and thawed? Cream cheese that has been defrosted in the fridge can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator before using; cream cheese that was thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be used immediately.
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How to tell if an opened package of cream cheese has gone bad? The best way is to smell and look at the cream cheese: If cream cheese develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, it should be discarded for quality purposes; if mold appears, discard the entire package.
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