How Long Can Cream Cheese Be Left Out Of The Fridge? It Depends…

If you’re wondering how long cream cheese can be left out – I’m here to help.

I’ve been there before.

You accidentally left your cream cheese out of the fridge while cooking or you forgot to unload it from your groceries right away.

You’re probably asking yourself how long cream cheese can be left out at room temperature before it goes bad.

The general rule of thumb is that cream cheese can stay out of the fridge for 2 hours before it needs to be thrown away. As the cheese warms up and is exposed, bacteria will start to develop.

It sucks to hear, but if your cream cheese is at room temperature, you probably have to throw it away.

Cream cheese is used for different cooking purposes and baking. I use it all the time for keto fat-bomb recipes. If you’re new to using cream cheese, you need to know it has a short life span out of the fridge and spoils quickly.

If you’re ever needing to serve cream cheese on a dish at a potluck or other gathering, make sure your cream cheese is only out at room temperature for 1-2 hours max.

Table of Contents

How Long Can Cream Cheese Be Left Out at Room Temperature? How Long Can Cream Cheese Stay Out of the Fridge?

Cream cheese can stay out of the fridge for 1-2 hours depending on the temperature.

You can leave cream cheese at room temperature for two hours, but after that the cheese will start to spoil and it should be thrown away.

If it’s over 90 degrees, then the cream cheese should only be left out of the fridge for 1 hour. After that, it will need to be tossed out.

How Can You Tell if Cream Cheese is Bad?

There are several ways to know if the cream cheese has gone bad.

You should check the:

Appearance
Smell
Taste
Consistency

Appearance

The first thing you will notice is the appearance of the cream cheese. Look for yellow or greenish color and throw it away if you see any. Discoloration is a sign that the cream cheese is rotten or has mold.

Smell

If the cream cheese has a strong sour smell, then it’s time to get rid of it. Sometimes the cheese may not show the first signs of changing color and molds but smelling it can determine the freshness of the cream cheese.

Taste

If you store cream cheese in the fridge, it should stay fresh for a while. One of the signs that it’s gone bad is that it will begin to taste more sour than usual. Try a small bite and if it tastes sour, throw it away.

Consistency

If the outside of the cream cheese (either the brick or in the tub) seems to be slimy or very soft instead of firm and smooth, it is a sign that your cream cheese has gone bad.

If accidentally left the cream cheese at room temperature, run your finger along it to feel for slime.

How Long is Cream Cheese Good For?

Cream cheese can sit out of the fridge for two hours before it goes bad.

On average, cream cheese is good for 3-4 weeks upon bringing it home from the store. This might depend on the store you’re shopping at and how long it’s been sitting on the shelves.

Be sure to check the expiration date and follow the tips below to make your cream cheese last longer.

Tips to Extend the Lifespan of Cream Cheese

There are several ways you can make your cream cheese last longer. Some of these can even make your cream cheese last past the expiration date.

Once you open the cheese, you should put it back in the refrigerator and store it at 40 °F or below. Any time you take cream cheese out of the fridge, try to put it back in as soon as possible.
Use airtight containers for storage in the fridge. This will prevent bacteria from entering the container and spoiling the cream cheese.
Make sure the utensils you use to cut and spread the cream cheese are clean and free from bacteria. These can transfer bacteria or mold to the cream cheese.
If you need to soften cream cheese to use, cut off the amount you’re going to use and put the rest back in the fridge immediately.

If you really want your cream cheese to last, tightly wrap it in foil and store it in the freezer.

What’s the Best Way to Soften Cream Cheese Safely?

Recipes will often require softened cream cheese to cook with because it’s easier to spread or mix in with ingredients.

You can’t leave it out overnight or even for more than a couple of hours or else the cream cheese will start to spoil.

The best way to soften cream cheese is to break the block up into smaller cubes.

If you don’t break it up, then it will take forever for the middle of the block to soften and that will give time for bacteria to grow on the outside.

The more surface area there is, the faster it will soften. The less time it takes, the safer it will be.

You can also stir the cheese with a spatula or press the cubes down to speed it up.

It only takes about 20 minutes at room temperature for the entire big brick of cream cheese to soften sufficiently for most recipes.

FAQ

Here are some of the most asked questions when it comes to storing, saving, and using cream cheese in your kitchen.

Can you Freeze Cream Cheese?

Cream cheese can be frozen to extend the shelf life. The only downside is that the cheese can become a bit more grainy and it won’t be quite as spreadable. It is also ideal if you let it soften some in the fridge before using. Here’s a helpful guide to freeze cream cheese the right way.

What Happens if You Eat Bad Cream Cheese?

If you eat bad cream cheese, there aren’t major health risks, but your stomach might get a bit upset. If you have immune issues, eating the mold or bacteria can cause more serious issues. It’s actually quite difficult to eat spoiled cream cheese because it will smell and taste very sour.

Is Cream Cheese Good After the Expiration Date?

Cream cheese is best eaten before the expiration date. If you keep your fridge colder than normal, it will last a few extra days. The best way to keep the cream cheese good after the expiration date is to store it in the freezer. Some say that cream cheese will last 1-2 weeks past the sell-by date.

Does the Safe Window Change if the Cream Cheese is Sealed or Unsealed?

It’s possible that cream cheese that has been sealed could be safer for longer, but I still strongly recommend following the 2-hour max rule. Any longer and you risk eating bacteria and mold.

Can I Leave Cream Cheese Out Overnight to Soften?

You should not leave cream cheese out overnight to soften. After two hours, bacteria will be growing and it will be rotten. You only need about 20-30 minutes at room temperature for the cream cheese to soften for your recipe. Cream cheese can be left to sit out without refrigeration for up to 2 hours.

Can You Cut the Mold Off the Cream Cheese?

It is not safe to simply cut mold off of cream cheese and eat it. This is possible for hard types of cheese as well, like Cheddar, Swiss, or Colby. Soft cheeses like cream cheese can grow mold that penetrates deeper than the surface.

Can Expired Cream Cheese Make You Sick?

When cream cheese expires it will develop mold that spoils the cheese and grows bacteria. This mold and bacteria is toxic and can make you sick. The more you ingest, the more sick you’ll feel.

So Does Cake with Cream Cheese Need to Be Refrigerated?

Any kind of cake that is made with cream cheese needs to be refrigerated. The cream cheese in the cake will start to spoil if it is left at room temperature for more than two hours. Store your cake in an airtight container in the fridge and it will last for 5-6 days.

How Long Can my Cream Cheese Bagel Sit Out?

If you already made your cream cheese bagel, then you need to eat it within two hours or else the cream cheese will have gone bad. I recommend eating it within one hour.

Final Verdict: How Long Can Cream Cheese Stay Out of the Fridge?

Cream cheese can be left out at room temperature for 1-2 hours before it starts to go bad. Make sure you use it quickly and put it back in the fridge! If you need to soften the cream cheese, cut off the amount you’re going to use and cut it into smaller chunks to let it soften more quickly.

Nathaniel Lee

Nathaniel Lee is an avid cook, drawing on his decades of home cooking and fine dining experience. He is a contributing chef at Mashed, and his recipes and contributions have been featured in Tasting Table, Edible Arrangements, Insanely Good Recipes, and The Daily Meal.