Cream cheese can only sit out at room temperature for two hours before becoming unsafe to eat. However, if the temperature of the room it is in reaches 90° F, then it can only sit out for one hour.
How Can You Tell if Cream Cheese is Spoiled?
Here are several ways to tell if cream cheese has spoiled:
Cream cheese should be white or a cream color. If you notice it has turned yellow or see patches of blue or green, it is time to discard it.
Cream cheese should be smooth, creamy, and easy to spread. As it turns, it will appear slimy, dry, crumbly, or grainy.
It is unsafe when cream cheese smells pungent, sour, or rotten as opposed to mild, light, and pleasant.
If you taste the cream cheese and it is sour, the safest choice is to discard it. Fresh cream cheese should have a mild, sweet, and pleasant tang.
How Cream Cheese Should be Stored
To store cream cheese properly and keep it from spoiling quickly, here are some tips:
- Grab cream cheese and other dairy products at the grocery store last. That way, it is not sitting out as long before getting home.
- Place it in the fridge as soon as possible.
- Make sure the temperature of your refrigerator stays between 38°F (3°C) and 40°F (4°C).
- Store it on an interior shelf in the fridge rather than in the door, where the temperature can fluctuate more often.
Cream cheese will spoil quickly if stored incorrectly. Once opened, cream cheese can last for one to two weeks in the refrigerator. In the freezer, an opened foil-wrapped cream cheese can last for two months.
Warning About Cream Cheese…Something I Learned The Hard Way!
FAQ
Is eating cream cheese by itself good for you?
Can cream cheese be eaten by itself?
Do people eat cream cheese alone?
Can we directly eat cream cheese?
Can you eat cream cheese on a balanced diet?
Although many associate this spread with carb-heavy bagels and assume it’s unhealthy, cream cheese can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet as long as it’s consumed in moderation. Cream cheese is a good source of calcium, which is crucial for maintaining healthy bones and teeth.
Can one eat milk and cheese?
You can eat milk and cheese without any problems if you are lactose-tolerant and if you tolerate them well. Both foods are rich in protein, calcium, fat, and vitamins from the B complex.
When should you eat cream cheese?
Cream cheese should be finished by the expiration date and discarded if you notice an unusual smell or mold ( 23 ). Cream cheese is low in protein and must be eaten within 2 weeks after opening. Cream cheese is extremely versatile.
Is cream cheese a healthy food?
Cream cheese can be a tasty addition to various dishes, but it’s important to consider its nutrition. While cream cheese is not typically considered a “health food” due to its high calorie and fat content, healthy cream cheese can still be part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation.