Can you freeze cream cheese? - What you should know?

Cream cheese is one of those dairy products that doesn’t have a long shelf life. But what if you want to buy more when your favorite is on sale, or want to keep a little on hand at all times?

Can you freeze cream cheese?

You can freeze cream cheese. The texture will suffer, as frozen and thawed cheese becomes slightly grainy or crumbly. It is also less creamy, so it is recommended to use frozen cream cheese in baked goods or dishes in which the cheese is melted. The keys to this process are to wrap the cheese well before putting it in the freezer and to thaw it in the fridge before using it. 

Read this article for the ultimate guide to freezing cream cheese, as well as some tips to improve your results.

Freezing Cream Cheese: Does It Work?

Freezing is one of the most effective techniques for extending the shelf life of almost any product you can think of. Luckily, cream cheese is no exception.

If you’ve bought a few packets of cream cheese thinking about making a cheesecake but then changed your mind, don’t throw it away. There are many possibilities to save cream cheese by putting it in the freezer.

Freezing cream cheese works. If you do everything right, that is, freeze and thaw the cheese correctly, the cheese will undergo very little change.

Even if you can’t make a cheesecake with frozen cream cheese, you can save it for another dish and save money.

What happens when cream cheese is frozen?

Freezing cream cheese affects the texture of the product. It becomes more grainy and somewhat crumbly. And this happens with almost any dairy product.

If you like spreading cream cheese on your bagels just for the smooth, creamy texture of this product , you may not be one to enjoy freezing cream cheese.

However, it should be mentioned that these changes are nothing that a little effort can’t fix.

Why does it get grainy?

Changes in the texture of cream cheese are the result of its high water content.

Cream cheese is 33% or more fat, and more than half (about 55%) is moisture . For this reason, when we put the cream cheese in the freezer, ice crystals form.

When we thaw the cheese, the water from the thawed crystals does not re-emulsify with the curd. Therefore, the defrosted cheese is granulated and separated.

How to freeze cream cheese

If your favorite cream cheese was on sale and you accidentally grabbed more than you could possibly eat before its expiration date, popping it straight into the freezer is the best idea.

Depending on whether or not the cream cheese is open, you may need to go the extra mile to freeze it properly.

Unopened cream cheese in its original container will keep well in the freezer. Whether it’s a foil or cardboard wrapper, cream cheese is well protected from freezer burn.

In case you didn’t know, freezer burn can occur on any item in the freezer that is exposed to air . It happens whenever the food is not well wrapped with plastic wrap or that the container in which you keep it is not hermetic.

If you are concerned that the unopened container of cream cheese is not safe enough, we recommend that you wrap it in a plastic wrap.

You can also remove the paper wrapper and leave just the aluminum foil . Put the cheese in a vacuum sealable bag.  Aluminum foil effectively protects the product from freezer burn. 

You should freeze cream cheese in its original container for the best results.  However, if you’ve already used some of the cream cheese, here’s how you should freeze it.

1. Put the cream cheese in a plastic bag or a container that you can close.
2. If you’re using a container, wrap it in cling film for an extra layer of protection.
3. Don’t forget to label the cheese with the date.
4. Store it in a corner of the freezer where the cheese won’t get in the way.

You can also freeze flavored cream cheese. Doing so will work the same way as freezing and thawing regular cream cheese.

How long can you keep cream cheese in the freezer?

Putting the cream cheese in the freezer will greatly extend its shelf life.

For example, opened cream cheese will last about 10 days in the fridge. It is said that an unopened brick of cream cheese can be consumed for 1 month after its expiration date. If you don’t trust this statement, feel free to put it in the freezer before it spends too much time in the fridge.

The freezer will extend the shelf life of the cream cheese by up to 6 months.

If you stock up on cream cheese with the intention of freezing it, do not put it in the fridge. Put it in the fridge right away.

How to defrost cream cheese

In order to defrost cream cheese so that the texture and flavor suffer as little as possible, you must follow a few simple rules.

First, move the cheese from the freezer directly to room temperature . If you plan to use it in a recipe, transfer it to thaw in the fridge for 24 hours and only then use it in cooking.

If you let the cheese thaw at room temperature, it will end up with a grainier texture. Cheese can also be soggy as a result of drastic changes in temperature.

If you defrost the cheese incorrectly, the taste of this delicate dairy product will suffer. 

How to make thawed cream cheese creamy again

There are a few methods you can use to make thawed cream cheese creamy again. You can’t expect it to be as smooth and creamy as it was at the beginning. However, you can try to reintegrate the ingredients to some extent.

If you have a whisk handy, you can use it to mix the cheese and improve the consistency of the crumbs.

If you’re willing to put in a little extra time and effort to get the most out of your frozen cream cheese, there are two methods you can opt for. 

Method 1: Use the microwave

Microwaving thawed cream cheese is an effective way to make it creamier and less grainy. Here we explain how to do it.

1. Thaw frozen cream cheese in the fridge for 24 hours.
2. When the cheese has completely thawed, transfer it to a microwave-safe bowl.
3. Heat the cheese in the microwave for 10 seconds.
4. Stir the cream cheese making sure to pick it all up from the sides of the bowl.
5. Repeat the operation until the cheese reaches a creamy consistency with which you are satisfied.

Method 2: Using the stove

If you’re one of those people who doesn’t like microwaving things, the method to use is the stovetop method.

Here’s how to make thawed cream cheese creamy again. 

1. Put a medium size saucepan on the fire and fill it with water.
2. Place a smaller glass bowl on top of the saucepan, making sure it does not touch the bottom of the saucepan or the water. You can use a double boiler instead of the saucepan and bowl.
3. Put the thawed cream cheese in the bowl.
4. Beat or stir gently until cream cheese is smooth.

The key step in using this method is to make sure that the bowl of cheese does not touch the bottom of the pan or water . If so, you will be applying direct heat to the cream cheese. The latter is something to be avoided.

Keep in mind that using the stove instead of the microwave has some advantages. No drying out of the cheese at the edges, which then crumbles into the enhanced cheese.

Also, you keep an eye on the process and control the heat. Therefore, there are less risks of screwing up.

How to use thawed cream cheese

Thawed cream cheese is not the best for spreading on muffins or eating with crackers. If you want to eat it, there are no health problems. The problem is the consistency change. 

Since frozen and thawed cream cheese is no longer as creamy, it won’t spread well. Therefore, you may not enjoy the experience as much.

So you’ve extended the life of a few packets of cream cheese. And now that? What can you do with it?

Thawed cream cheese will work well in baked dishes.  You can use it in recipes in which changes in texture will not be as noticeable and will not affect the dish.

As long as you use the thawed cream cheese in a melting dish, there won’t be a difference between using frozen or refrigerated cream cheese.

This Is What You Can Make With Thawed Cream Cheese

• cream cheese cookies
• cream cheese cake
• Cream Cheese Chicken Casserole
• Baked Spaghetti Casserole with Cheese Sauce
• Baked Cream Cheese Dip

How to Spot Spoiled Cream Cheese

Even if you have frozen the cheese following the rules and maintaining the right conditions, it is always good to know when the product has gone bad.

If you notice that the cream cheese is unusually slimy, smells bad, or has discoloration, do not freeze or use it. 

7 Tips for Freezing and Defrosting Cream Cheese

Freezing and thawing cream cheese can be tricky. However, it works if you know how to do it well.

Here are some tips to help you freeze and thaw cream cheese without wasting the product. 

Tip #1

If you don’t have a mixer or any special kitchen equipment on hand and don’t feel like spending time on the stove, there is a quick way to improve the texture of thawed cream cheese.

Take a spoon and work the cheese against the sides of the plate. Give it a few turns and the cheese will be creamier than after defrosting.

Tip #2

Need to use frozen cream cheese blocks but forgot to put them in the fridge? Here’s how to save the day:

• Transfer the cheese to a plastic bag if it hasn’t been frozen in one.
• Put it in a bowl with hot water.
• Turn the cheese over to defrost until the water cools.
• Repeat the operation if necessary.
• Don’t let the cheese sit in the water, as it may not thaw evenly.

Tip #3

If you don’t mind eating the thawed cream cheese with crackers, there is a way to make them special and more exciting.

Once you put the cheese in the food processor to make it smoother, add some additional flavors. You can add fresh or dried herbs, such as basil or dill, garlic powder, roasted pepper, etc.

Tip #4

If you plan to buy cream cheese and freeze it for later use, opt for cream cheese bricks.

Cream cheese bricks in foil and paper containers freeze better than cream cheese in plastic cans. 

Another thing to keep in mind when stocking up on cream cheese is that low-fat varieties aren’t your best bet if you’re going to freeze them.

Tip #5

For those who bake often, having cream cheese on hand at all times is very helpful and delicious.

You can add cream cheese to muffins or scones to make them exceptionally soft. 

Tip #6

If you use the microwave or stovetop technique to re-make your cream cheese, there is a way to make the result even better.

Add a small amount of milk, sour cream, or heavy cream while mixing . Doing so will help restore the initial smooth texture of the cheese.

Tip #7

You may be wondering if there is a way to minimize the amount of water that forms in cream cheese when you freeze it.  The answer is yes. This is the “quick freeze” function of your refrigerator.

Once you put the cream cheese in the fridge, the sooner it freezes, the less ice crystals will form. This means there is a very good chance that the cheese will be less grainy and separated once thawed.

Related questions

Can cream cheese dip be frozen?

If you have leftover cream cheese dips and don’t want them to go to waste, freezing them will work just fine. However, don’t expect it to be as smooth as when it was freshly made.

You can try to bring it back to the initial texture as much as possible by using a double boiler.

Can thawed cream cheese be used to make cheesecake?

Making a cheesecake with thawed cream cheese is moot. Some people prefer to use cream cheese that has not been previously frozen, while others find that thawed cream cheese works well for cheesecake.

To be safe, take your time to restore the initial texture of the cheese using the microwave or cooking methods. Creamy, smooth cheese is always the best for cheesecake.