This Is How Long You Can Leave Cream Cheese Our, According to a Food Safety Expert

Cream cheese is a prime ingredient in many recipes and most call for softening the creamy, tangy dairy product. We asked a food expert to see how long it’s safe to keep a block of cream cheese out and when it should be discarded.

Nov 29, 2024 - 16:00

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This Is How Long You Can Leave Cream Cheese Our, According to a Food Safety Expert

overhead view of countertop with opened block of cream cheese — Simply Recipes / Getty Images

For me, there’s nothing more nostalgic than a toasted everything bagel with cream cheese. But as we officially enter into cozy recipe season, there are many more uses for this spreadable cheese around the kitchen. Iits mild, yet tangy flavor melds beautifully into both sweet and savory preparations, ranging from cake to dips.

However, if you’ve ever cooked or baked with cream cheese before, then you know that many recipes call for it to be softened. This usually requires leaving the dairy product out on the counter for an extended period of time, but just how long should you actually leave cream cheese out of the fridge safely? I asked a food safety expert all the hard-hitting questions to find out.

How Long You Can Leave Out Cream Cheese, According To a Food Expert

“Cream cheese is a soft, smooth cheese that’s made from milk and cream,” says Abbey Thiel, PhD, food scientist, consultant, and educator. While this cheese starts out like many others— separating curds from whey—what differentiates cream cheese is the whipping of those curds into a soft, creamy final product.

Given that cream cheese is a dairy product full of protein and moisture, it is definitely not shelf-stable. That said, the cheese can be safely left out on the counter to soften for a specified period.

“Cream cheese should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. After that, bacteria can start to grow quickly, increasing the risk of foodborne illness. If the room is warmer, like above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsuis), it should be put back in the fridge within one hour,” Thiel explains.

Cream cheese that has been at room temperature for longer than these guidelines should be discarded to avoid the risk of foodborne illness. “Harmful bacteria may not be visible or affect taste but could still make you sick,” Thiel adds.

How To Safely Store Cream Cheese

Outside of knowing when to toss it, safely storing cream cheese is pretty straightforward. “Re-seal and return the product to the refrigerator immediately after serving or using. Keep in the refrigerator under normal refrigerator temperatures of 40 degrees at all times,” advises the Philadelphia Cream Cheese website.

The leading cream cheese maker also recommends using their product within 10 days of opening or by the best-buy date on their packaging—whichever comes first.

Thiel says that cream cheese can be frozen to extend its shelf life, but both she and Philadelphia warn that the thawed product will not be nearly as appetizing as freshly-purchased stuff. “Freezing can change its texture, making it more crumbly and less smooth when thawed,” Thiel says.

With your properly-stored cream cheese, the culinary options are nearly endless. Homemade baked goods, mashed potatoes, spreads, frosting, pasta, stuffed peppers, and endless other recipes are all made significantly better with the addition of this irresisistibly silky cheese.