Keep cream cheese in the refrigerator at 40°F or below, sealed. Once opened, Philadelphia says to use it within 10 days or by the date on the package, whichever comes first; the USDA FoodKeeper gives cream cheese 2 weeks in the fridge. Freezing is not recommended by either. And don’t leave it out for more than 2 hours.
First Things First: Can You Freeze Cream Cheese?
This is the question almost everyone asks, so let’s start here. The short answer: you can, but neither the USDA FoodKeeper nor Philadelphia recommends it.
- The USDA FoodKeeper does not recommend freezing cream cheese.
- Philadelphia, the best-known cream cheese brand, says the same in its official FAQ, and explains why: “not because it is a health or safety hazard, but because freezing can affect the quality of the product.”
So freezing is not a safety problem. It’s a texture problem. Because freezing can change the texture, frozen cream cheese may work better baked or stirred into a warm dish than spread on a bagel. Your bagel deserves better.
One thing we could not find: an official freezer time for plain cream cheese. Many websites say “2 months”. The only official 2-month freezer time we found is Philadelphia’s advice for baked cheesecake, not for a block of cream cheese.
How Long Does Cream Cheese Last?
| Your cream cheese | How long | Who says so |
|---|---|---|
| Unopened, in the fridge | Until the “Best When Used By” date | Philadelphia |
| Opened, in the fridge | Within 10 days, or by the date on the package if that comes first | Philadelphia |
| In the fridge | 2 weeks | USDA FoodKeeper |
| In the freezer | Not recommended | USDA FoodKeeper, Philadelphia |
| On the counter | No more than 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F) | USDA FSIS |
10 days or 2 weeks? The two sources give slightly different numbers. Philadelphia’s 10 days is the stricter one, and it’s the maker talking about its own product. If you want one simple rule: once opened, use it within 10 days.
Myth Check: “It’s Fine for a Month After the Date”
Search for cream cheese storage and you may read that Philadelphia says unopened cream cheese is fine for a month past the printed date. We checked Philadelphia’s own FAQ, and it says the opposite: the product “should be consumed by the ‘Best When Used By’ date on the packaging”, and they don’t recommend eating it after that date because they “cannot guarantee optimum freshness and quality”.
So the date on the package is the date. No bonus month.
How to Store an Opened Block or Tub
Philadelphia’s advice is short: re-seal it and put it back in the fridge right away, and keep the fridge at 40°F or below. In practice:
- Block in foil: fold the foil tightly back over the cut side and put the block in a zip-top bag or a closed container.
- Tub: press the lid on firmly after every use.
- Use a clean knife every time. A knife that just visited the bagel crumbs and the jam jar brings friends along.
- Write the opening date on the foil or the lid, so you know when the 10 days are up.
A Quick Video on Keeping Cheese Fresh
This short video from Food Chain TV is about storing cheese in the fridge in general, not about cream cheese in particular. It’s a good reminder of the main idea: the way you wrap cheese makes a real difference.
For cream cheese, the rules above still come first: sealed, cold, and used within 10 days of opening.
How Long Can Cream Cheese Sit Out?
Cream cheese is a soft, moist dairy product, so the USDA’s 2-hour rule applies: no more than 2 hours at room temperature, or 1 hour when it’s above 90°F (FSIS).
That also answers the classic breakfast question: a bagel with cream cheese that sat out all night goes in the bin, not in your lunch box.
Cream Cheese in Desserts
Once cream cheese is part of a recipe, Philadelphia has separate advice:
- Desserts with cream cheese, baked or unbaked: cover them and keep them in the fridge. Use within 5 days.
- Cheesecake: up to 5 days in the fridge, or up to 2 months in the freezer.
- Don’t freeze: no-bake cheesecakes, cheesecakes that contain sour cream, or recipes with cream cheese that also call for eggs.
For the full story on cheesecake, see how to store cheesecake.
Has My Cream Cheese Gone Bad?
Check the date first, then use your eyes and nose. A sour or off smell, a strange color or a slimy surface are good reasons to say goodbye.
Mold is a hard stop. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service lists cream cheese among the soft cheeses to throw away when mold appears, because in a moist cheese mold can spread below the surface, and bacteria can grow along with it. Don’t scrape it off. Unlike a hard cheese such as Parmesan, cream cheese can’t be rescued with a knife.
Your Cream Cheese Questions, Answered
Can you freeze cream cheese?
It is not recommended. The USDA FoodKeeper does not recommend freezing cream cheese, and Philadelphia says freezing is not a safety hazard but can affect the quality. Frozen cream cheese may work better in baked or warm dishes than as a spread.
How long does cream cheese last after opening?
Philadelphia says to use it within 10 days after opening, or by the date on the package, whichever comes first. The USDA FoodKeeper gives cream cheese 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Does cream cheese have to be refrigerated?
Yes. Philadelphia advises keeping it in the refrigerator at 40°F or below at all times, and the USDA advises not to leave perishable food out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F.
Can I use cream cheese after the expiration date?
Philadelphia recommends using its cream cheese by the “Best When Used By” date and does not recommend eating it after that date, because freshness and quality can no longer be guaranteed.
Can you scrape mold off cream cheese?
No. The USDA says soft cheeses such as cream cheese should be thrown away when they get moldy, because mold can spread below the surface of a moist cheese.
Sources & Transparency
Storage times come from the USDA FoodKeeper and from the Philadelphia FAQ by Kraft Heinz. The rules for food left out and for mold come from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Where the two sources give different numbers, we show both.
Cream cheese is the softest member of the cheese family on this site. For its firmer relatives, see how to store feta, how to store brie and hard and aged cheese, or start at the complete cheese storage guide. Milk, butter and eggs are in the dairy and egg storage guide.
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