Nobody loves to throw away food, which is why the question, “Can you freeze cream cheese?” arises. is a question that many home chefs have. Fortunately, the answer is an emphatic yes!
Cream cheese has a short shelf life in the refrigerator, but it may be frozen and used months beyond its expiration date. This article will teach you all there is to know about freezing cream cheese and how to utilize it afterwards.
Contents
- Can I Freeze Cream Cheese?
- How Long Will Cream Cheese Last in the Fridge/Freezer?
- What To Do With Frozen Cream Cheese
- FAQs
- Does Philadelphia cream cheese freeze well?
- Why does cream cheese not freeze well?
- How long will cream cheese last in the refrigerator?
- Can you freeze cream cheese in Ziploc bags?
- Can Kraft Philadelphia cream cheese be frozen?
- How do you refresh frozen cream cheese?
- How do you defrost cream cheese?
- Why does cream cheese crumble after freezing?
- Does freezing cream cheese ruin it?
Can I Freeze Cream Cheese?
Cream cheese may be frozen. Anyone asking whether cream cheese can be frozen should know that, with the exception of certain textural variations, frozen cream cheese has the same exquisite taste as fresh cream cheese.
The only true difference is that frozen and defrosted cream cheese may be less creamy than fresh cream cheese.
Fortunately, it may still be used for a variety of various cuisines.
There are a few more things you can do to improve the effectiveness of your cream cheese freezing procedure, such as protecting it from freezer burn or other difficulties. When you find a lot of cream cheese on sale, grab a couple bricks to use in your next cheesecake or tasty dip.
Although frozen and thawed cream cheese might not taste great on a bagel, it is excellent in baked products.
Related: Can you freeze cottage cheese?
You’re in luck if you haven’t opened your cream cheese yet. You may put it in the freezer. The aluminum foil that protects most cream cheese blocks will keep it fresh in the freezer for a long time. What you’re looking for is freezer burn, which completely wrapped blocks of cream cheese are significantly less likely to acquire.
Freezer burn occurs when frozen or frozen food enters the air. That is why, if you have opened your cream cheese, it is critical that you close it as tightly as possible. This will keep the cream cheese out of the air and protect it while it’s in the freezer.
If you don’t think the original packaging is as robust as it should be, you may always double-wrap your cream cheese in plastic wrap or more aluminum foil. It never hurts to have a little additional protection, and it will give you piece of mind.
Some people store cream cheese in vacuum-sealed plastic bags, although this isn’t always essential. You may just encase it completely in numerous layers.
To begin, place your cream cheese in an airtight bag or a container that clicks shut. If you’re going to utilize a container, be sure it’s completely waterproof. This will also guarantee that it is completely airtight.
If you are unsure, just pour some water into the container and turn it over. Even if it is airtight, you should still cover it with a little more aluminum foil or plastic wrap just to be sure.
You should also date the box so you know when the cheese was placed in the freezer. Although it will keep for a long, it will not stay forever.
It makes no difference whether your cream cheese is plain or flavored; both types will keep in the freezer provided you take the necessary precautions to guarantee appropriate packaging.
Finally, positioning is important. Place your cream cheese in a location where it will be less likely to be moved. Moving it may upset the packing, and you don’t want to expose it to freezer burn or have to repeatedly thaw and refreeze it.
When you put anything in there, it should remain there until you’re ready to utilize it.
How Long Will Cream Cheese Last in the Fridge/Freezer?
Cream cheese does not keep well in the fridge. If it’s open, you may anticipate it to last around 10 days before turning bad.
Unopened cream cheese may survive for up to a month, depending on the kind and location of the cream cheese in your refrigerator.
Because of this product’s limited shelf life, most consumers believe they can’t stock up on cream cheese even when it’s on sale.
Fortunately, cream cheese can be kept in the freezer for much longer. If properly stored, cream cheese may survive for six months in the freezer.
If you purchase cream cheese in bulk, keep it in its original packaging, with an additional layer of plastic or aluminum foil wrapped around it to preserve it even more.
Can you freeze cream cheese? The answer is yes, if done right!
Related: Can you freeze feta cheese?
How To Tell if Your Frozen Cream Cheese is Bad
Even if you do everything correctly, you may end up with terrible cream cheese. Needless to say, bad cream cheese should never be used since it might make you ill. If you’re not sure if your cream cheese is rotten, err on the side of caution.
If your cream cheese is fresh and chilled, it should have a little off-white hue with a creamy, spreadable texture. Although frozen cream cheese will not have this texture, it should have a comparable hue. If your cheese is really yellowish or has green mold growing on it, it is almost probably spoiled.
Bad cream cheese will have a foul odor and a broken or rough surface. It might also have a layer of water on top of the cheese or be slimy to the touch. If you see any of these symptoms with your cream cheese, discard it immediately.
What To Do With Frozen Cream Cheese
Although frozen cream cheese has a slightly different texture than fresh cream cheese, it is just as flexible. Don’t attempt to put frozen cream cheese on your bagel in the morning. Unfortunately, you will be let down. However, it may be used in a variety of dishes.
The cream cheese must first be thawed. It may be microwaved or melted on the stove. Many individuals like to use the microwave since it tends to smooth out the texture.
You’ll need to thaw out the box of cream cheese first. Place it in the refrigerator for approximately a day to thaw completely. Attempting to microwave frozen cream cheese may result in lumpier or watery results.
You may microwave it once it has been defrosted. Place it in there for 10 to twenty seconds. If you wish, give it a thorough stir before putting it back.
You may alter the consistency of the microwaved cream cheese by stirring it. You don’t want it to eventually boil, so just put it in for a few seconds at a time.
You may also put it on the burner. Similarly, thaw your cream cheese in the refrigerator before filling a saucepan with water and stacking another one on top. Essentially, you want to create a double-boiler. Turn on the burner and place the cream cheese in the second pot over the water.
The benefit of this is that you will be able to continually whisk the cream cheese and get the desired texture and consistency. When you microwave the cream cheese, you are essentially relying on guessing. The stovetop approach is a little more challenging, but it produces wonderful results.
Whatever technique you choose, keep in mind that the goal is not to cook the cream cheese. It is merely to guarantee that you get the desired consistency. Don’t put cream cheese in a skillet and turn it on. You’ll scorch it and make it useless. Try one of these two techniques instead, and be ready to enjoy your cream cheese.
You may use freshly defrosted cream cheese in a variety of dishes. Casseroles and baked meals are two of the most common ways to consume it. Almost every cuisine that asks for cream cheese but does not need fresh cream cheese may benefit from frozen cream cheese.
The trick is to locate one that does not need a certain texture. Baked egg casseroles, hot dips, and other dishes are delicious.
Frozen cream cheese works nicely in spinach artichoke dip, particularly when combined with other cheeses such as mozzarella and parmesan. Because of the varying textures of those cheeses, as well as the fact that you cook the cream cheese dip to begin with, the consistency variation is almost imperceptible.
Defrosted cream cheese may also be included into curries or sauces. It’s an excellent alternative for coconut milk and may even help Thai curries sing. Experiment with it and use it in places where you would normally use dairy products. It’s incredibly versatile and may be used in almost any dish that asks for a cream sauce.
Now that you know you can freeze cream cheese, you have a whole new world of possibilities. If you follow these recommendations, freezing cream cheese is simple, and you can do so many other things with it. Never throw away another block of cream cheese again.