Can You Freeze Cream Cheese?
Yes, you can freeze cream cheese for up to 2 months, but the texture becomes crumbly and grainy after thawing. Frozen cream cheese works well in cooked or baked dishes like casseroles, dips, and cheesecakes, but is not ideal for spreading on bagels.
Key Takeaways
- Cream cheese has high water content that forms ice crystals during freezing, disrupting its smooth, creamy texture.
- Flavored cream cheeses with additions may freeze less predictably depending on ingredients.
- Neufchatel (lower-fat cream cheese) freezes similarly but may be slightly more prone to separation.
Explanation
Cream cheese has high water content that forms ice crystals during freezing, disrupting its smooth, creamy texture. When thawed, it often becomes grainy or separates slightly. Whipping or beating it can help restore some smoothness.
For freezing, keep cream cheese in its original foil packaging and place inside a freezer bag for extra protection. Opened cream cheese should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap before bagging. Label with the date as quality declines over time.
Thaw cream cheese in the refrigerator for 24 hours rather than at room temperature to maintain food safety. Once thawed, use within a few days and do not refreeze. The texture issues are masked when cream cheese is mixed into recipes.
Things to Know
- Flavored cream cheeses with additions may freeze less predictably depending on ingredients.
- Neufchatel (lower-fat cream cheese) freezes similarly but may be slightly more prone to separation.
- Cream cheese-based dips and spreads can be frozen; stir well after thawing to recombine.