How long can you leave cream cheese out?

Cream cheese can be left out of the refrigerator for a maximum of 2 hours. Leaving it out at room temperature for longer periods can result in harmful bacteria growth. For optimum freshness, cream cheese should be kept in an environment of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.

Unopened packages of regular cream cheese typically last three to four weeks in the fridge, while newly opened packages last one to two weeks. If cream cheese starts to smell or taste sour, or it becomes chunky in texture, it is most likely spoiled. If it develops mold, that also indicates that the product has gone bad.