Quick Answer
Generally, it is safe to eat unopened cream cheese past its best by date, provided it has been continuously refrigerated and the package is not damaged. Unopened, properly stored cream cheese can remain fresh for up to 2-3 weeks past the date on the package. However, use your senses. If the cream cheese smells sour, tastes bitter, or appears moldy, it should be discarded.
Expiration Dates on Cream Cheese
The “expiration date” listed on cream cheese is not actually an expiration date. Rather, it is a “best by” or “best before” date, which indicates when the product will be at peak freshness and flavor. As long as it has been stored properly, unopened cream cheese should remain safe to eat for a period of time past this date.
There are a few different kinds of dates that may be printed on cream cheese packaging:
- Sell by date: Retailers use this date to know when to pull a product from shelves.
- Best by date: Recommended date for best flavor/texture.
- Use by date: Final date recommended for use.
The sell by date is intended for retailers, not consumers. You can safely eat unopened cream cheese 1-2 weeks past the sell by date as long as it has been continuously refrigerated.
The best by date indicates when the cream cheese will be at peak quality. After this date, it will slowly start to deteriorate but should remain safe to eat if unopened.
The use by date is the last recommended date for consumption. The cream cheese should not be eaten after this date.
How Long Does Unopened Cream Cheese Last Past Its Date?
An unopened package of cream cheese, if stored properly in the refrigerator, can typically be consumed 1-2 weeks past the date on the package. However, there are a few factors that determine just how long it will last:
- Type of cream cheese – Regular cream cheese will last longer than low-fat or nonfat versions.
- Packaging – Properly sealed packaging helps block mold and bacteria.
- Storage conditions – Consistent refrigeration is key.
- Freshness – The closer you are to the date, the longer it will last past it.
Regular Cream Cheese
An unopened package of regular full-fat cream cheese can be consumed within 1-2 weeks past the date on the package if refrigerated continuously at 40°F or below.
Low-fat and Nonfat Cream Cheese
Low-fat and nonfat cream cheese have a shorter shelf life compared to regular full-fat cream cheese. They should be consumed within 1 week past the date on the package when properly refrigerated.
Proper Storage Conditions
To get the most shelf life out of cream cheese after opening, it’s important to store it properly. Keep cream cheese tightly sealed in its original packaging until you are ready to use it. Store it on a refrigerator shelf, not in the door where the temperature fluctuates. Consistent refrigeration at 40°F or below is key for maximizing the shelf life past the date on the package.
Freshness Matters
The closer you are to the date when you open the package, the shorter the remaining shelf life past that date. Cream cheese that has sat for weeks in the fridge past its date will not last as long as cream cheese that is freshly opened right on the date.
How to Tell if Unopened Expired Cream Cheese is Bad
Although unopened cream cheese can often be safely consumed past its date, you always need to consider its safety and quality. Here are a few ways to identify if your unopened cream cheese has gone bad and needs to be discarded:
- Smell – Unopened packages that have truly gone bad will have a distinct sour smell even through the packaging. Fresh cream cheese has a mildly tangy, but not unpleasant smell.
- Texture – Press gently on the packaging. If the texture seems excessively runny or gooey, it could be a sign of spoilage.
- Gas bubbles – Small gas bubbles throughout are normal, but excessive bubbling could indicate fermentation and spoilage.
- Sliminess – Sliminess along the sides when you open the package indicates microbial growth.
- Mold – Any amount of mold, even in unopened packages, signals spoilage.
- Discoloration – Greyish, yellow, or brown hues mean the cheese has oxidized and should be tossed.
If you detect any of the above warning signs upon opening the cream cheese, you should discard it. Consuming spoiled cream cheese can potentially cause foodborne illness.
How to Store Unopened Cream Cheese
To maximize the shelf life of unopened cream cheese:
- Purchase it by the “sell by” date for optimal freshness.
- Inspect packaging to ensure it’s intact and properly sealed.
- Refrigerate immediately at 40°F or below.
- Keep it tightly sealed until you are ready to use it.
- Keep the package clean and dry to prevent mold growth on the outside.
- Consume within 1-2 weeks past the date on the package.
How Long Can You Keep and Use Opened Cream Cheese?
Once opened, the shelf life of cream cheese is reduced. Follow these guidelines for storing opened cream cheese:
- Regular cream cheese will stay fresh in the fridge for 2-3 weeks after opening.
- Low-fat or nonfat cream cheese will keep for 1-2 weeks.
- Keep the cream cheese tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or its original packaging.
- Press out excess air before sealing and store on a refrigerator shelf.
- Discard if you see any mold growth.
For optimal flavor and texture, try to finish opened cream cheese within 5-7 days. As it ages in the fridge, you may notice some separation, drying out, or sour flavors developing.
How to Use Up Cream Cheese Past Its Date
If stored properly in the refrigerator, unopened cream cheese can often be safely consumed up to 2-3 weeks past the date on the package. However, the flavor and texture will start to decline over time. Here are some great ways to use up cream cheese that is past its prime:
Cooking and Baking
Using expired cream cheese in cooked foods like casseroles, soups, pasta dishes, and baked goods can mask any staleness in flavor. The heat from cooking will also help kill off any bacteria that may have started growing. Just give the cream cheese a smell and look-over before using.
Sweet Treats
Blend cream cheese into smoother dips, frostings, and fillings to disguise changes in texture. The sweetness of sugar will also hide any sourness or tanginess from the aging process. Use it to make chocolate cream cheese frosting, cheesecake filling, or fruit dip.
Savory Dishes
For savory dishes, mix cream cheese into casseroles, pasta bakes, soups, or sauces. The other strong flavors will conceal any off flavors in the cream cheese. Try making a creamy chicken and broccoli casserole or fettuccine alfredo.
Flavored Cream Cheese
If your plain cream cheese is past its prime, mix in fresh herbs, garlic, lemon, or other flavorings to freshen it up. Whip expired herb or garlic cream cheese into dips or spreads.
Food Safety Precautions
Although consuming expired cream cheese unopened is generally safe, proper food safety principles should always be followed:
- Discard packages that are damaged or improperly sealed.
- Check for signs of spoilage like mold, sliminess, or an unpleasant smell.
- Refrigerate promptly after purchase and keep refrigerated.
- Use clean utensils to handle the cream cheese.
- Do not consume cream cheese that has been left out at room temperature for over 2 hours.
- Discard any product that looks or smells unpleasant.
Exercising caution when consuming expired foods can help prevent potential foodborne illness.
The Bottom Line
Checking the date on cream cheese is important, but the “expiration” date is not always a firm cutoff for safety. Unopened cream cheese can typically last 1-2 weeks past this date as long as it has been continuously refrigerated. However, it’s always important to assess the quality and safety of the product by smelling and looking for signs of spoilage.
With proper storage, an unopened package can stay fresh up to 2-3 weeks past its date, but it may start to lose flavor, texture, and creaminess the longer you keep it. For the best quality, use cream cheese as close to the printed date as possible. Once opened, reseal tightly and use within 2 weeks.
While consuming expired foods is never recommended, unopened, properly stored cream cheese should be safe for a short period past its date. However, if you detect any unpleasant odors, flavors, or textures, it’s best to discard it.
