With this simple how-to recipe, you can freeze cream cheese easily. Both unopened and opened cream cheese can be frozen. It freezes and thaws well to be used later in recipes.
For an unopened or not yet used block of cream cheese, simply put it in the freezer. The box and foil wrap is enough to ensure the cream cheese will freeze safely.
Unopened Cream Cheese
Opened Cream Cheese
To freeze leftover cream cheese, you will want to get it into an airtight container or use the block it has come in if there is most of it left.
Opened Cream Cheese
For spooning it into a container, I recommend spooning it into an airtight container and making the top as flat & smooth as possible. Then atop the cream cheese add a layer of plastic wrap. Press down that plastic wrap with your hand so it is touching the cream cheese and there is no air between it. This will retain the flavor and ensure there is no freezer burn. Then place on the lid for the container and place in the freezer.
Opened Cream Cheese
You can also spoon the cream cheese onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Then twist it around the cream cheese tightly in a ball or sausage shape making sure there is no air between the cream cheese and the plastic wrap. Place this next into a ziplock bag, squeezing to remove any air, and then sealing. Place it in the freezer.
Opened Cream Cheese
For using the cardboard box and foil wrapping that the block came in, tighten the foil around the remaining cream cheese as best you can. Next, wrap the foil in plastic wrap tightly either twisting or folding to seal all the edges so no air can get in. Place the wrapped foil back into the cream cheese box if intact and tape it shut around the edges to seal - or place in a ziplock bag, squeezing to remove any air, and then sealing. Place it in the freezer.
To Thaw Frozen 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 thaw safely in the refrigerator.
Unopened Cream Cheese, Opened Cream Cheese
Frozen cream cheese that has been thawed will last only 3 days in the refrigerator.