How long can cream cheese be left out unopened?

Cream cheese left out at room temperature will last for about two weeks after the sell-by date. If it smells funny or has an odd color, don’t eat it. That’s because bacteria can form on the surface of the cream cheese, which can lead to food poisoning. If the cream cheese has an off smell, wrap it in plastic wrap and return it to the fridge.

After two weeks, you can discard the cream cheese. The answer is it’s not good to leave opened cream cheese out at room temperature for more than two weeks. That’s because the natural bacteria can multiply and cause food poisoning.

Even cream cheese that has been refrigerated can grow bacteria if it’s left out at room temperature for more than two weeks. The bacteria can cause a host of unpleasant symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and severe stomach pain.

How long can cream cheese be left out unopened at room temperature?

Cream cheese is typically best consumed refrigerated as sitting at room temperature for more than a few hours can cause an unwanted fermentation. When left unopened at room temperature, cream cheese can generally remain good for about five days.

However, the cheese will begin to turn an unappealing gray color and develop an unpleasant smell around day five, so remove it from the fridge and consume it as soon as possible. If left unopened out at room temperature, cream cheese will typically last about two weeks.

Once opened, the cream cheese will last around five to seven days.

How long can cream cheese stay out of the fridge?

Coolers, freezers, and refrigerators are designed to keep food at a specific temperature to prevent bacteria from growing. If cream cheese is left out at room temperature for more than two days, it could potentially grow bacteria, which could cause foodborne illnesses.

A thick, unopened tub of cream cheese will keep at room temperature for up to two weeks. Once opened, however, it should be refrigerated and consumed within five days. The reason is that bacteria can grow in the cream cheese, especially when the product is left out at room temperature for a long time.

The bacteria can cause food poisoning and lead to other health issues.

How long can cream cheese be out of the fridge?

Cream cheese can be left out for up to two weeks at room temperature. However, after two weeks, the cream cheese will begin to break down, giving it a strange, sour taste. Once the cream cheese does begin to breakdown, it will still be edible, but not as enjoyable as before.

Most varieties of cream cheese will keep at room temperature for about five to seven days. If you’re not planning to use it before that, take it out of the fridge the night before you plan to use it so it’s at room temperature.

How long can cream cheese stay unopened in the refrigerator?

You can safely leave opened cream cheese in the refrigerator for about two to three days, but once the cream cheese is opened it begins to thicken and may need to be discarded. Fortunately, it's easy to test cream cheese to see if it has gone bad. Just put a small amount on a piece of paper towel and return it to the refrigerator after a few hours. If the cream cheese has become completely solid, it's not safe to eat. If you plan to leave cream cheese at room temperature for more than two hours, you should always remove the lid. Leaving the lid off the container will allow moisture to escape, which can lead to an unpleasant, sour taste.