Can You Freeze Cream Cheese?

Will Frozen Cream Cheese be Crumbly?

You can safely freeze cream cheese but the texture will change and result in a quality that is less creamy. Once thawed or defrosted, frozen cream cheese will lose some of its water and become less creamy. It will become crumbly or grainy which is not appealing to use as a spread on your bagel for example.

The reason for this is that cream cheese is about half water, which makes it sensitive to the creation and melting of ice crystals that occur when freezing and thawing it. During freezing the water separates from the cheese curds so when cream cheese is thawed it becomes grainy like ricotta or cottage cheese.

How to Freeze Cream Cheese

Fresh cream cheese will last in the refrigerator for about a week once opened.  After that, the shelf life is limited and may not be safe or fresh. A closed package that is close to the expiration date or a large opened cream cheese that has some remaining should be frozen if not used timely.

Both unopened or opened cream cheese packages can be frozen easily.  If done correctly, cream cheese can last for months in the freezer and remain safe to eat.  Here are the easiest ways to preserve your extra or leftover cream cheese.

Freezing Unopened Cream Cheese

If you want to freeze an unopened block of cream cheese, it couldn't be easier. Simply put the blocks as is in your freezer.  There is no need to unwrap it or transfer it into another container or Ziplock.  The foil wrapping and cardboard box that cream cheese comes in is the ideal protection against freezer burn.

Freezing Opened Cream Cheese

If you have partially used a block of cream cheese, that opened amount that is remaining can still be frozen. To freeze leftover cream cheese,  you will want to get it into an airtight container.   

I recommend spooning it into an airtight container or tightly wrapping the block if it is still in a square or rectangular shape.  Below is my favorite step-by-step guide on how to freeze opened but unused leftover cream cheese.

Freezing Soft, Whipped, or Dips with Cream Cheese

Soft creamy or whipped cream cheese freezes well and it is quite easy to do.  These methods work for both soft or whipped cream cheese that you buy in plastic tubs. For dips made from cream cheese, they can freeze well too. All three can be frozen.

If you have an unopened tub, simply place it in the freezer.  It can last in the freezer for up to 3 months. To defrost whipped cream cheese, place the frozen tub in the refrigerator. It should be thawed and ready to use in 48 hours.

If you have an opened tub of whipped cream cheese that you want to freeze, you can do that too. There are two easy ways to do this. You can tightly wrap plastic wrap directly over the layer of cream cheese (do not leave air between it or that will cause freezer burn).

Next, place the lid back on the tub and place it in the freezer.  You can also remove it from the tub and put it in an air-tight freezer Ziploc bag. Be sure to squeeze out all the excess air.

How Long Will Cream Cheese Last in the Freezer

Frozen cream cheese can last for up to 2 months in the freezer.  As long as it is stored properly in an airtight container or in its original wrapping for unopened packages, cream cheese will be safe to use for about 8 weeks and kept in the freezer.

Keep in mind, anything that has "freezer burn" should not be consumed and thrown out. Freezer burn not only affects taste but also the safety of the product so you do not want this to happen. If it does, please throw out the frozen cream cheese.

How to Defrost Cream Cheese

To defrost cream cheese, simply place the block or container in the refrigerator.  Plan this ahead of time when you want to use it. 

Depending on the size of the block of cream cheese, it can take a few hours or overnight to defrost safely in the refrigerator.  I do not recommend any other method of defrosting cream cheese such as in the microwave or with a warm water plunge.

How Long will Thawed Cream Cheese Last in the Refrigerator

Since cream cheese that has been in the freezer changes in its water content once frozen and thawed, it should be used right away.  Keep that in mind when you defrost your frozen cream cheese so you plan to only get it in the refrigerator when you will be using it.  Frozen cream cheese that has been thawed will last only 3 days in the refrigerator.

Uses for Frozen Cream Cheese

As mentioned earlier, cream cheese will become crumbly or grainy once frozen and defrosted. Therefore, it is best to use frozen cream cheese in recipes where it will be cooked, baked, or used as crumbled topping anyway.  It can be used in spreads or dips but only when it is not the main component and is a small ingredient along with other cheeses or creamy ingredients like mayo or buttermilk.

Since frozen and thawed cream cheese will not retain its creamy texture, here are the uses and types of recipes I recommend using it in.  It works in many keto recipes, baked goods, and creamed soups. Here are the best recipes and ideas for how to use previously frozen cream cheese once you defrost it.

• CREAM CHEESE APPETIZERS where the cheese gets warmed, cooked, or baked
• Use in baking  - cheesecakes, bundt cakes, pound cakes, cookies, or muffins
• Sauces, creamed soups, and creamed vegetables

One caveat - using it in cheesecake may not be ideal if you want a rich velvety and creamy texture to your cheesecake. If you are making a cheesecake that is dense and has texture or you are using some frozen and some fresh cream cheese, it may be fluffy and creamy enough to your liking.

Everyone may have a different preference. I do not like using all frozen cream cheese in a cheesecake. But ½ frozen and ½ fresh I have tried and it was ok but fresh is best in a cheesecake recipe in my opinion.

How to Make Frozen Cream Cheese Creamy Again

Sometimes if the cream cheese is frozen in its original package and hasn't been frozen for long, you can defrost it and get it creamy again.  To do so, thaw as directed above in the refrigerator.   Slowly warm the cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl in 10-second increments until melted and then it can be also whipped with a hand mixer to fluff it up.

As a last-ditch effort, you can add drops of cream to it and whip it up to get the frozen cream cheese creamy. I have not tried this but a few people have mentioned they tried it and it worked well enough to then use the previously frozen cream cheese in dip recipes.