Have you ever wondered if you can freeze cream cheese? The answer is yes, you can! Use the directiosn below on how to freeze cream cheese and tips for thawing frozen cream cheese when you are ready to use it.
Can you Freeze Cream Cheese?
Cream cheese is something that every so often you can find a great deal on. You may be afraid to stock up on it since it is a dairy product, and you wonder can cream cheese be frozen? Don't be scared to take advantage of a great deal on it when you find one! You can freeze cream cheese! In fact, cream cheese is easy to freeze and it can be used in lots of recipes when it thaws out. Here are some tips on How to Freeze Cream Cheese in case you find one of those great deals you can't pass up.
How to Freeze Cream Cheese
To freeze cream cheese, follow these simple instructions:
Put an unopened package of cream cheese in a freezer bag. You will want to squeeze all of the air out. Make sure that you date the bag! Did you know that you can extend the life of your cream cheese by 6 months just by freezing it?
How to Thaw Frozen Cream Cheese
To thaw frozen cream cheese, follow these instructions:
Simply take the frozen cream cheese out of the freezer and place it in your refrigerator overnight. It will be thawed within 24 hours and ready to use.
The consistency of the cream cheese will slightly change during the freezing and thawing process. After you thaw it will be a little crumbly so it doesn't work as well as a spread, however, you do have a few options.
How to Use Thawed Cream Cheese
- Use it for cooking certain recipes just as it is. When you use it for cooking (casseroles, dips, baking, etc) it will taste just the same!
- Put it in the mixer (or whip it by hand) for a few minutes. This method will work to sort of help it becomes spreadable but keep in mind that it will not quite restore it to the original consistency.
- Warm it up in the microwave. Stir it smooth. When it cools it will go back almost to the same consistency that it was before being frozen!
The method that I use depends on what I am going to use the cream cheese for. If we are baking with the cream cheese then option 1 is my go-to method. However, for everyday use and most of the time, I use method 3. It’s easy and just takes a few seconds to heat up!
Cream cheese is actually quite versatile, so don’t worry about freezing it. It is perfect for freezing so the next time you see a great deal on cream cheese don’t be afraid to pick up one or two extra cartons and pop them into your freezer!
More Freezing Tips:
Tips on how Dice and Freeze Bell Peppers
How to Freeze Lemon and Lime Juice with Zest
And don't forget to use these tips for saving money on dairy products!
Thanks to Amanda Faulkner for sharing her tips!
B. Chin says
June 18, 2016 at 12:52 pmI love all the tips! I always cook more than need. It’s wonderful now that good food does not have to go to waste.
Karen says
July 19, 2016 at 9:25 amIt says right on the package not to freeze cream cheese. I’m wondering if you have used any of your methods for cheesecake.
Alea Milham says
July 19, 2016 at 11:40 amI do not use previously frozen cream cheese as a spread or in cheesecake, but you can use it in dips and casseroles without a problem.
Debbie S says
February 8, 2019 at 9:16 amMy Mom uses frozen cream cheese in her baked cheese cake. None of us knew the difference when the cake was gone and she told us. It was Philadelphia!
Sue says
May 30, 2018 at 7:43 amI have froze cream cheese many times. It does have a crumbly techture. Afterwards. But on a warm bagel or recipe it’s fine.
Theresa Hitchcock says
August 24, 2016 at 10:13 amI love all the recipes here. Look forward to seeing more of them.
Judy says
March 10, 2017 at 2:53 pmThanks, good tips. I tend to stock up on cream cheese when on sale, and usually put it in that back of my ‘fridge and forget about it. Although intending to make cheese cake with it, sometimes it goes bad, so I think for cooking in casseroles, etc., this would be a good option. 🙂
Lori sellers says
August 13, 2017 at 7:57 pmI have a question are you saying you can freeze the whole package of cream cheese including the box too ? Thanks
Alea Milham says
August 14, 2017 at 3:05 pmYes. You can put the unopened package in the freezer.
Suzanne says
November 11, 2017 at 10:12 amMy creamcheese froze in the back of my meat drawer. I thought it would correct the texture once I whipped it up into a cheesecake. Don’t do it! We ate the cake, but it was “off”.
I like the idea of warming it in the microwave and whipping it up. I’ll give that a try since I have 2 more frozen bars. I guess I should store it other than in the meat drawer 🙂
jabeve says
April 14, 2018 at 5:43 pmI do not freeze cream cheese; however, since I make many cheesecakes, I like to keep a supply on hand. I have found that you can use it long past the expiration date. As long as the package is not opened, it stays fresh at least 3 months after the
“use by” date.
Ronald Heinzinger says
April 28, 2018 at 4:30 pmAnother heads up…..run through a mini food processor (or regular size for larger quantities) after defrosted. Exactly like the day it was bought, no change at all.
Merle Barmania says
May 9, 2018 at 7:58 amCan you still make cream cheese pastry with it? And can the pastry befrozen again….just wondered if you know
June says
May 18, 2018 at 11:59 amThanks for the tips. I tried freezing it and got the crumbly stuff and threw it out because in that state, it tastes terrible and impossible to use. So now I have always just bought it before I wanted to use. Now, I want to try your methods and freeze my cream cheese. If I have any successes or failures, I will let you know. Again, thanks.
Patricia says
May 18, 2018 at 5:21 pmI have two more alternative for using the frozen cream cheese after it’s thawed. One is that I will put it in my food processor and whip it up. Part of the reason it’s crumbly after freezing is the loss of moisture and to rectify that I dribble a little half and half or heavy cream into it when it’s in the food processor. You need to use REALLY FRESH cream or half and half because you don’t want your cream cheese to go bad because what you are adding goes bad. And, a little at a time! You end up with something like the spreadable cream cheese in the tubs.
The second thing is that I sometimes add the crumbly cheese to the blender when I make a smoothy. I like my smoothies to have a little body and this does he trick if I have some around that I don’t want to spoil. Not that cream cheese ever goes to waste around me!
Alea Milham says
May 19, 2018 at 11:22 pmThanks for sharing these tips! These are both great ways to use thawed cream cheese!
Cheryl Burns says
March 18, 2019 at 9:41 amI made a pie with white chocolate mixed with cream cheese and raspberry juice in a graham cracker crust. Can I freeze the pie for eating later?
Sue says
May 6, 2019 at 11:36 amFreezing cream cheese works best with the original Philadelphia Cream cheese. Other brands tend to get crumbly.