Cream cheese is a good combination for your meals, and you may want to use it often. So, the likely question in your mind will be, does cream cheese go bad? How long does cream cheese last in the fridge?
How long your cream cheese lasts in the fridge depends on the storage method. If it’s unopened, it can last up to about 3-6 weeks or even as long as one month if you put it inside a freezer. If it is open, it can stay for as long as 15 days inside the fridge.
Regardless, the period your cream cheese can last in the fridge can be limited if you store it in an open container because cheese naturally does not stay in a hot or airy environment. In this article, you’ll learn more about cream cheese and storage.
Does Cream Cheese Go Bad?
Like all dairy products, your cream cheese can go bad. Similarly, soft cream cheese tends to spoil faster than ones with a hard texture due to the level of moisture it contains. Regardless, if you store your cream cheese properly, it can help to extend its lifespan.
It doesn’t matter if you store your cream cheese appropriately. It can get spoiled even before time because the milk and other ingredients used in processing it has an expiration date. So, how can you tell when your cream cheese is still edible? It’s simple. Check the liquid, texture, taste, and smell.
To prevent your cheese from getting spoilt, try to store it properly. Also, don’t buy in large quantities. You can buy just enough to last up to a month.
How Long Does Cream Cheese Last In The Fridge
A block of cream cheese can last in the fridge for 2 – 3 weeks. But, if you want it to last longer for up to a month or more, store it inside a freezer. However, this storage method depends on if your cream cheese is opened or unopened.
Here are the best ways to make your cream cheese last in the fridge.
| Cream Cheese Package | How To Store |
| Unopened inside a plastic container | Store in the fridge and freezer for up to one month. |
| Opened inside a plastic container | Store in the fridge for up to 15 days and up to one month in the freezer. |
| Opened inside a foil wrap | It can last in the freezer for 15 days and one month in the freezer. |
| Unopened inside an aluminum foil wrap | It can last in the fridge for up to one month and in the freezer for up to two months or more. |
| Fatty cream cheese | It can last up to 3 weeks in the fridge and freezer. |
| Less fatty cream cheese | It can last up to one month in the fridge and freezer. |
Can Cream Cheese Go Bad While In The Fridge?
Your cream cheese can get spoilt while inside the fridge. The reason is that although the cream cheese lasts longer inside the refrigerator, the milk and other ingredients used in processing it have an expiration date.
Asides from the cream cheese expiring, the temperature you set for it may also affect it. The safe temperature to store your cream cheese in is 40°F. The minimum temperature is 35°F, while the maximum temperature is 45°F. If the temperature is higher or lower, it will go bad.
Similarly, you can store your cream cheese inside the refrigerator, and it won’t get spoilt before the expiration date. A resealable plastic bag can help you get that done, but it’s not ideal because water can penetrate. Here are some tips on how to store your cream cheese inside the fridge.
- Put it inside a tightly closed container and cover it well.
- Wrap the cream cheese container with an aluminum foil wrap and make it tight with a rubber band.
- Put it into a Maytag bag and seal it.
- Put it into the vegetable crisper in your fridge and ensure it is well-closed.
- Set the temperature to 40°F. You can also reduce the temperature to 35°F, but it shouldn’t exceed 45°F.
How Do You Know If Cream Cheese Has Gone Bad?
When your cream cheese develops colored patches or the skin becomes solid, it’s time to discard it. However, most blocks of cream cheese aren’t plain white or milky, and because of this, it may seem challenging to know when the cheese is no longer best for consumption.
Here are the ways to know when your cheese is no longer edible.
- Liquid
Liquids often form on the surface of cream cheese. However, if you notice that the texture is dry and solid, then large quantities of water form on the surface, it is time to discard it.
- Molds
Any food item with moisture develops mold once the food is no longer edible. Once molds appear on your food item, it breeds bacteria and fungi on the food. So, when you notice this on your cream cheese, it is unsafe to continue using it.
- Taste
This method may not be ideal because eating spoilt cheese can cause harm to your system. The fact is that your cream cheese can get spoilt even while inside the fridge. So, once you taste your cream cheese and it’s chalky or bitter in your mouth, it is unsafe for consumption.
- Texture
A block of cream cheese should always come together to form a ball when not in use, and while in use, it should be sticky and drawn. If your cream cheese shows you any other texture apart from these, you shouldn’t use it.
- Color
A block of fresh cream cheese is always white or milky in color. Once it begins to discolor with patches of black dots or turns deep yellow, discard it.
- Smell
Cream cheese usually has a mild and pleasant odor. So, when it stinks or irritates the nostrils, it’s time to let it rest inside the waste bin.
- Water
You can also use water to check if your cheese is still best for consumption. Cut out a small block of cream cheese and place it inside a bowl of water. If it floats, it is no longer edible. But, if it sinks, it is edible.
Wrap Up
There you have it! The best ways you can store your cream cheese and prevent it from going bad quickly. However, before buying a pack of cheese, check the expiry date. The fact is that even though you store it properly, it will be unsafe consumption once it expires.
