Expiration & Storage Tips
When does light cream cheese expire?
Unopened light cream cheese can generally last two to three weeks past its 'best by' date in the refrigerator. However, once opened, light cream cheese is typically best used within two weeks. Remember, these timeframes are only guidelines and your cheese may spoil more quickly depending on conditions. If you've frozen your light cream cheese (a less common practice for cream cheese), it can extend its life by four to six months, but it may suffer some texture changes.
How do you tell if light cream cheese is bad?
The indications of spoiled light cream cheese aren't always quite obvious but if you see any mold growth - odd colors or fuzzy patches - on the cheese, it has surely turned bad and should be discarded. Another sign of spoilage is an off smell. If you opened the container and the cream cheese smells sour or just 'off', better to be safe and toss it. Lastly, if the texture appears thin, runny or clumpy, it's time to throw it away.
Tips for storing light cream cheese to extend shelf life
• Always store your light cream cheese in the refrigerator. Make sure the temperature is set below 40 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid bacterial growth.
• When you are not using the light cream cheese, keep the lid tightly sealed to maintain freshness and prevent exposure to air, which can accelerate spoilage.
• If you want to freeze your light cream cheese, you can. However, be aware that freezing may alter the texture, making it more crumbly and less creamy. It's best to only freeze light cream cheese if you plan to use it in cooked dishes where the texture change won't be noticeable.
• To defrost frozen cream cheese, move it from the freezer to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw slowly. This can take several hours, so plan ahead. Once defrosted, it should be used within a week.
• Avoid cross-contamination by using clean utensils when handling the cheese, especially if serving it directly from the container.