Freezing Cream Cheese
Did you know you can freeze cream cheese? This is an important thing to know because it only goes on sale a couple of times a year.
I purchase a ton of it when it is on sale. For a long time, we just ate dishes that needed cream cheese until we had used it up. Then one day while I was looking in the freezer for a block of cheddar cheese, I noticed a tub and a block of cream cheese had been frozen by mistake.
Since that day, I have been freezing cream cheese for up to four months at a time.
Disclosure here…. It does change consistency when it is frozen for a while. Just like other cheeses, the taste becomes a little sharper and the consistency a little drier.
So how do you cope with the changes from freezing cream cheese? Well, if you are using it to cook with you will not notice any difference in your final dish. Using it in dishes for example like Skyline Chili Dip, Spicy Chicken Dip, Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookie, or slow cooker buffalo chicken dip will not change the taste at all.
If you are using it in a dish like a cheese ball or as a Jello Pretzel Salad or veggie dip, you will notice that the cream cheese needs a little massaging before it returns to the original consistency. For dishes like these, just thaw the cream cheese in the fridge until ready to use it. As you open the package, work the cream cheese with your hands or with the back of a mixing spoon to mix and smooth the cream cheese back to the normal appearance. From then you can proceed as usual with your recipe.
To make a spread for bagels or toast, I will pulse the cream cheese in the food processor a couple of times to combine before I add the fruit or spices.
Make sure to write the date of purchase on your tub or block before tossing in the freezer. Four months is the longest I have ever had it frozen and felt ok using it.
So grab extra cream cheese the next time you see it on sale. Freeze it and save a ton!
I freeze cream cheese all the time. I usually only use the freezer cream cheese when it’s going in a cooked recipe.
I never knew you could freeze cream cheese. This is a great tip.
I had no idea you could freeze cream cheese. Thanks for this tip. I’ll definitely be using it! Will nice to be able to have it on hand like this! Thanks
I didn’t know you could freeze cream cheese, thank you for sharing these instructions.
This is interesting. I had no idea you could freeze cream cheese. Good to know how to make it come back to normal consistency.
Thanks for this great tip. I have tried to freeze cream cheese before but I didn’t like the consistency of the cheese when it was thawed. I always overbuy cream cheese during the holidays and have ended up throwing it out–now I know what to do. I just hate the waste when I have to throw it out.
Thanks for this great tip. I have tried to freeze cream cheese before but I didn’t like the consistency of the cheese when it was thawed. I always overbuy cream cheese during the holidays and have ended up throwing it out–now I know what to do.
thanks for the tip. about how long do you think the thawed cream cheese will last in the fridge?
Once you thaw it, I would say to use it within 4 days. I honestly don’t know how long it would last, but I treat it as any leftover and limit it to 4 days.
Thanks for the information. I always wondered if you could freeze it. I am the only one in the family that love cream cheese as a spread so I do not buy a lot when its on sale. Now I can, and with a coupon it will make a great deal. Thanks again.
Wow I never knew cream cheese could be frozen. Thank you for posting!
thank you for this info i love cream cheese and have never bought alot when its been on sale but knowing i can freeze i can start buying and freezing
like you I never thought about freezing cream cheese a wouldn’t know I found a package in the back of the frig the other day I’m not planning on using it right now so I’m going to put it in the freezer and thank you for the tips on kneading it for awhile after it thaws out now my cream cheese won’t go to waste now I just have to remember it is in the freezer lol
Thank you I had always wondered if you could freeze it and if you did would it still tastes good and now I know I can so next time cream cheese goes on sale I will buy plenty, thanks for info
This is such a great idea. We use cream cheese in my house for a lot of things. I am definitely going to buy some to freeze next time it’s on sale. Visiting from GTTuesday. 🙂