Every time I walk into a grocery store and spot cream cheese, I get overexcited. Are there any reasons not to buy cream cheese?
I already plan what recipes cream cheese can be used in before I even get to the cash counter. A person can do so much with cream cheese!
Upon reaching home, I took a while to grasp that I had bought a lot of cream cheese and could never devour it all.
Unluckily, I was unaware if I could freeze cream cheese, so I had to finish all the cheese within a week forcefully. This leads me to wonder whether cream cheese can be frozen, prompting more research.
I was surprised by how many items and meals I could preserve by freezing them. So, if you’re curious as I am about whether or not cream cheese can be frozen, read on! Also, read carefully to find out how to extend the shelf life of cream cheese.
Can You Freeze Cream Cheese?
Do you also buy cream cheese in bulk like me? Can cream cheese quickly be frozen if bought in enormous amounts?
The answer to this question actually depends on you! Cream cheese cannot be frozen if you use it as a spread for bread or bagels.
But if you bake or cook with cream cheese, you can freeze cream cheese with no worries. You don’t need to throw leftovers away if you don’t finish all the cream cheese in one go.
In fact, freezing cream cheese is a great option to extend the cheese’s shelf life. I do it all the time! And If I am running late, I use the microwave to thaw cream cheese before using it in a recipe.
Is It Safe To Freeze Cream Cheese?
Freezing does not spoil cream cheese, it just makes the consistency grainy, and grainy cream cheese is still safe to eat! Freeze your cream cheese without second thoughts. So when is it unsafe to eat cream cheese?
This cheese can spoil quickly if kept outside at a warm temperature. When the cheese tastes bitter or has some discoloration, that cheese should go into the dustbin, not in the freezer.
Only freeze fresh cream cheese. If the cheese is still in its original packaging, that is a plus point! And don’t forget to check the expiry date on the box. Freezing expired cheese is also unsafe.
How To Freeze Cream Cheese?
Cream cheese is packaged differently, and every packaging should be frozen differently. You’ll find cream cheese seal foiled, covered with cardboard boxes, plastic tubs, and even in glass bottles.
While you can freeze unopened boxed cream cheese and tubs directly in the freezer, the glass bottle would require a little extra attention.
The cheese will definitely expand upon freezing, and the glass bottle can break. Putting glass in the freezer is not advisable, so it is better to scoop out cream cheese from the bottle and transfer it into an airtight container or a Ziploc bag.
For extra protection from freezer burns, an additional layer of foil can also cover the Ziploc bag/container!
To thaw the cream cheese, keep it inside the refrigerator instead of the freezer overnight, and the cheese will be ready to be a part of your recipes!
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How Long Can You Freeze Cream Cheese?
Cream cheese only lasts a week when refrigerated. But properly frozen cream cheese stays good in the freezer for 2 months! If you want to keep it in the freezer longer, leave it for a minute.
You can only freeze cream cheese for a short time, so add it to soups, gravies, pasta, and casseroles. Cream cheese in baked goods is a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth! When cooked, there will be no way to tell if the cheese is fresh or frozen.
Is Cream Cheese Still Good After Being Frozen?
You must understand the fact that cream cheese has a high water content. It consists of cheese curds and cream; when cream cheese is frozen, the curds and water are separated. The water gets crystallized, and the curds get crumby.
When thawed, you must stir the cream cheese well, so everything gets incorporated again. Cream cheese will still be good, but the consistency won’t be smooth enough.
Does Cream Cheese Freeze Well?
Cream cheese freezes really well, but nothing beats fresh refrigerated cream cheese! Once kept in the freezer, it solidifies pretty quickly.
Cream cheese has a high-fat content! Which is the reason this cheese freezes so well. Higher fat content also means that you won’t have trouble thawing it because the fats help the cheese get to room temperature faster.
You just won’t be able to spread thawed cream cheese quickly. Otherwise, it will still be perfect for cooking and baking.
Final Verdict:
So, to answer your question, cream cheese can be frozen. However, its texture may change if frozen, so use it sparingly. Now that you know how to freeze cream cheese, make the most of those extra cheese tubs!
Cream cheese is definitely freezable, but remember that when defrosted, it can only be used in cooking or baking. Because upon freezing, it loses its original creaminess, and the consistency won’t be smooth enough to spread on a bagel or bread.
Here’s a tip; use an electric mixer or a hand-held beater to incorporate the grainy cream cheese back to life. I hope that by doing so, you will be able to revive the grainy, defrosted cream cheese.
