Philadelphia Finally Settles the Debate: How Long Can You Leave Cream Cheese Out on the Counter? (2024)

FAQs

Philadelphia Finally Settles the Debate: How Long Can You Leave Cream Cheese Out on the Counter? ›

If it's been out for longer than two hours, toss it—better safe than sorry. The storage advice straight from Philadelphia is to, "Re-seal and return product to refrigerator immediately after serving/using.

If you consume cream cheese that has been sitting out for too long, you may unknowingly consume dangerous bacteria that could make you seriously ill in the hours, days, or weeks ahead. The following bacteria can grow on cream cheese: Salmonella.

To soften the whole block: Remove the package of cream cheese from the refrigerator and let it sit on the counter for 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes. Cubing method: Open the package of cream cheese and cube it into 12 to 15 small pieces. Allow the cubed cream cheese to sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes.

The type of cheese is the biggest consideration - hard cheese will last longer and is less likely to pose a health risk, while soft and fresh cheeses should remain refrigerated and only be left out for two hours at most. No matter the cheese, leaving it out for more than two hours may change the quality and taste.

Texture: Any deviations from creamy smoothness, such as sliminess, dryness, or crumbliness, suggest the product has gone bad. Odor: A sour or unpleasant smell is a strong indicator that cream cheese has spoiled. Taste: If the taste is off or has become sour, the cream cheese should not be used.

Cream cheese should not be left out longer than two hours at room temp (or higher than 40 degrees F) because it then becomes a playground for nasty bacteria like salmonella. No one wants a trip to the emergency room over the carrot cake. If it's been out for longer than two hours, toss it—better safe than sorry.

Usually 4-5 days for the cream cheese. The bagels don't need to be put in the fridge. You can freeze the bagels and they will last longer.

According to the American Egg Board, you can leave eggs on the counter about 2 hours at room temperature (or 1 hour if the temperature is 90°F or hotter). After 2 hours, you'd be safer to throw those eggs out and get a fresh dozen rather than chance it.

But, if you're in the heat of baking and forget to put the last little knob back in the fridge right away, that's ok—just so long as you don't let it sit out for a few extra hours. “Do not leave butter at room temperature for more than 4 hours,” says Engen.

While we wish we had better news, if you accidentally went to bed and left your cheesecake cooling on the counter, it's best to not risk illness by consuming it. When you have cheesecake that's already baked and chilled, the absolute max time you could let it sit out to avoid the USDA's "danger zone" is two hours.

Does butter need to be refrigerated? ›

According to the USDA, butter is safe at room temperature. But if it's left out for several days at room temperature, it can turn rancid causing off flavors. The USDA does not recommend leaving it out more than one to two days. As such, Chad Galer, VP of Product Science and Food Safety at Dairy Management Inc.

Myth: You shouldn't put hot foods in the refrigerator.

If you leave food out to cool and forget about it after 2 hours, throw it away. Bacteria can grow rapidly on food left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

As a general rule, hard cheeses such as cheddar, processed cheeses (American), and both block and grated Parmesan do not require refrigeration for safety, but they will last longer if kept refrigerated.

Yes, you can eat cream cheese raw. Cream cheese is a soft, mild-tasting cheese that is commonly consumed in its uncooked form. It is often used as a spread on bread, crackers, or bagels, and it can also be used in various recipes for dips, desserts, and savoury dishes without requiring any cooking.

As a dairy product, cream cheese can spoil or become a breeding ground for bacteria like Salmonella if it sits out for too long or isn't chilled properly. If your cream cheese has been out for more than two hours, throw it out.

According to Healthline, you can safely store cream cheese in the freezer for up to two months. Anything more (two years for instance) and the cream cheese will no longer be assuredly safe to consume.

Cream cheese can become a breeding ground for bacteria when left out of the refrigerator for an extended period. If it becomes contaminated and is still consumed, you can contract food poisoning. Within 30 minutes to a few hours, you may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc.

While we wish we had better news, if you accidentally went to bed and left your cheesecake cooling on the counter, it's best to not risk illness by consuming it. When you have cheesecake that's already baked and chilled, the absolute max time you could let it sit out to avoid the USDA's "danger zone" is two hours.

At room temperature, cream cheese frosting only lasts two hours, which is why it needs to be refrigerated if you don't want to waste leftovers. Cream cheese frosting will usually last in the refrigerator for up to a week, which gives you plenty of time to use it on various baked goods.

Heavy Cream should stay good for a whole month or even longer if it has been heavily pasteurized. One thing to remember is always to keep it refrigerated, regardless of whether it has been opened or not. Do not keep it at room temperature, especially uncovered, for more than an hour, or it will spoil faster.