How Long Is Cream Cheese Good For After Opening?

Bagels and cream cheese are a favorite, as evidence by the many best bagel shops across the U.S., but there are many other ways to use up the rest of your cream cheese. You can stir some cream cheese into your oatmeal, add to soups to thicken and add tang, or spread it on a graham cracker for a sweet snack that tastes like cheesecake. Melt cream cheese, add some seasonings, and use it as a veggie dip. Stir some cream cheese into hot mashed potatoes (alongside other ingredients), or use it in place of heavy cream for cake frosting. Versatile cream cheese can be used in many ways, both in savory and sweet dishes.

Still, if you've got cream cheese in the refrigerator, chances are you won't use it all at once. If you're putting it back in the fridge after your morning bagel, you're on the right track, as you must keep your cream cheese refrigerated. Once the package is opened, it should stay fresh in the fridge for two weeks. Be sure to seal the container or packaging tightly before putting your cream cheese back in the refrigerator to keep it as fresh as possible, and always use a clean knife every time you swipe it into the tub or brick.

Of course, always mind the expiration date on the packaging. Additionally, you can check to see if your cream cheese has gone bad — always a good idea before eating anything. Check the odor, color, and texture, and look for signs of mold. If it's gone foul, yellowish, brownish, dry, or grainy — or seems off in any other way — you are safest not eating it. 

To keep your cream cheese fresh even longer, consider putting it in the freezer — after all, it is one of the best types of cheeses to hit the freezer. Either freeze an unopened package or tightly seal one that you've already opened. Keep in mind that the texture may become slightly grainy, but the cream cheese will be usable and should taste the same. You may not want to use it as a spread on its own if the texture shifts, but you should be able to use the cream cheese mixed with other ingredients. 

To thaw frozen cream cheese, simply place it in the refrigerator overnight. Transfer it to a microwave-safe container and defrost on low for faster results. Remember to avoid defrosting directly in the foil or plastic tub lest nonfood components melt or spark in the microwave.

Done properly, you can expect cream cheese to last in the freezer for about two months. So, if you don't use cream cheese often, consider freezing what's left rather than refrigerating it to save money and avoid food waste. You can also portion some out and immediately freeze a segment when you buy it.