Depending on the following factors, cream cheese will last for approximately 3–4 weeks past any “best by” date printed on the package. Cream cheese’s shelf life is affected by a number of variables, including the type of cheese, how it is processed, when it was packaged, how much heat it was exposed to, and how it is stored. Soft cheese with a lot of fat is called cream cheese. It is made from unskimmed milk enriched with additional cream. It is available in many different varieties, including regular, reduced-fat, whipped, and even flavored cream cheese. It is frequently blended with vegetables, fish, or even nuts. For a longer period of time, cream cheese maintains its smooth, spreadable texture thanks to modern processing and packaging techniques.
It’s crucial to remember, though, that cream cheese does not keep as long as hard cheeses. The shelf life of cream cheese is as follows when kept in a proper environment at or below 40°F:
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How Long Does Cream Cheese Last
Typically, cream cheese has a sell-by or use-by date on the label. The product should continue to function after that date as usual.
Since many cream cheeses have some preservatives or stabilizers, they can last for up to 3 to 4 weeks past the date on the label.
Please be aware that dairy products’ longevity and predictability aren’t particularly well known. Therefore, cream cheese may spoil a week after the expiration date is written on the package or even earlier.
Such circumstances frequently arise when a product is improperly handled before it reaches the shelves.
For best quality, you should consume it within a week of opening the package, possibly a few days longer. Compared to opened cottage cheese or ricotta, opened cream cheese keeps a little bit better.
All of the above applies to mascarpone cheese as well. Although cream cheese and mascarpone are different, they are similar in terms of shelf life.
| Fridge | |
|---|---|
| Cream cheese (unopened) | Sell-by + 3 – 4 weeks |
| Cream cheese (opened) | 7 – 10 days |
The times listed above are estimates, so please keep that in mind.
According to the book Does It Go Bad, spoiled cream cheese may have obvious symptoms. Just use your senses to determine whether it is spoiled. The appearance and color of your cream cheese may have changed, showing signs of yellowing, mold specks, slime, or dryness. If you notice areas of the cream cheese that are dried out and have larger pools of liquid, Lucky Belly advises that the process of spoiling has started. Spoilage is also indicated by smells that are tangy, sour, pungent, or moldy. Avoid consuming the product if any of these characteristics apply.
We’ve all done it: bought a block of eight ounces cream cheese for a recipe, but didn’t use it all. The remaining cream cheese is wrapped and kept in the fridge. When you eventually need that cream cheese for a morning bagel or another recipe, you somehow manage to forget about that portion. You then realize that you cannot recall how long it has been in the refrigerator. Now what?.
So, how long will cream cheese last in the fridge? Taste of Home says that unopened cream cheese packages last up to one month past the date printed on the box. Once opened though, it should be consumed within 10 days. Street Smart Kitchen informs us that opened cream cheese can last one to two weeks in the fridge and two months in the freezer.
According to Does It Go Bad, cream cheese can last a few weeks past the date stamped on its packaging. So, your days-old cream cheese may still be good. There are several ways to determine whether that block of cream cheese is still edible. So, before you toss it in the trash, put that cream cheese to the test. This is how to know whether it is still good or if you should chunk it.
What are our shelf life resources?
Our content includes analysis from several sources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration, in determining how long Cream Cheese lasts. Additionally, we browsed the internet in search of reports and articles on cream cheese shelf life, food storage, and food safety.
FAQ
Does whipped cream cheese go bad?
All varieties of cream cheese, whether packaged in plastic containers or foil, can be kept in the refrigerator for one to two weeks after opening. One can of opened, foil-wrapped food keeps for two months in the freezer. If cream cheese is not properly stored, its shelf life will quickly deteriorate.
How long can I store whipped cream cheese?
How To Store Whipped, Fluffy Cream Cheese. For up to a week, cream cheese should be kept in the fridge in an airtight container.
How long does flavored cream cheese last?
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Does whipped cream cheese need to be refrigerated?
To prevent spoilage, cream cheese frosting must be kept in the refrigerator. You don’t have to worry about eating cold cake because cream cheese frosting can last for up to two hours at room temperature.