No Cream Cheese? Try These 11 Substitutes Instead (2024)

Food
Ingredients Guide

No cream cheese? Whether it's a good schmear for your bagel or making a dessert, these cream cheese alternatives could be a perfect choice.

Lisa Milbrand

Lisa Milbrand has more than 20 years of experience as a lifestyle writer and editor, writing thousands of articles on topics that help people live better and healthier lives for Real Simple, Parents, and dozens of other top publications.

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Updated on February 23, 2023

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Fact checked byIsaac Winter

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If cheesecake or dip is on your party menu, but you or your grocery store are out of cream cheese, you're in luck. There are a variety of substitutes for cream cheese that offer the same creamy vibe, including some tasty plant-based alternatives if you're looking to go dairy-free. Just stock up on a cheesecloth, a few lemons, and plan ahead; some options require a little extra time and effort to be perfect for your recipe.

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Neufchâtel Cheese

Cream cheese's lower-fat cousin is often used interchangeably with regular cream cheese and works beautifully in most cream cheese recipes.

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Greek Yogurt

No Cream Cheese? Try These 11 Substitutes Instead (2)

Plain Greek yogurt has the same creaminess and tang as cream cheese—and straining it overnight gives it a more solid texture. It's a great alternative for many recipes requiring cream cheese.

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Mascarpone Cheese

No Cream Cheese? Try These 11 Substitutes Instead (3)

This sweeter, creamier cheese is an easy swap in most recipes—in fact, cream cheese is often cited as a mascarpone substitute. If you miss the tang, add a little squeeze of lemon.

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Vegan Cream Cheese

No Cream Cheese? Try These 11 Substitutes Instead (4)

Vegan cream cheese is a good substitute (we love Kite Hill, in particular). For best results in baking, use a recipe specifically for vegan cheese. (The manufacturers' websites have some great options!)

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Labneh

No Cream Cheese? Try These 11 Substitutes Instead (5)

This tasty, creamy Middle Eastern cheese made of thickened yogurt is a wonderful replacement for cream cheese. (Try our tasty labneh dip recipe.)

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Cottage Cheese

No Cream Cheese? Try These 11 Substitutes Instead (6)

The texture may not seem right, but a quick whirl in the blender or food processor gives cottage cheese a smoother texture. Add lemon for a little tang and drain in a cheesecloth if it's still too runny. (Using full-fat cottage cheese helps with thickness.)

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Ricotta Cheese

No Cream Cheese? Try These 11 Substitutes Instead (7)

Just like cottage cheese, this swap requires a little effort to be cream-cheese perfect. Blend, drain, and add a squeeze of lemon and a few pinches of salt to make it more cream cheese-like. Bonus: Make ricotta cheese at home with milk and ingredients you probably already have on hand.

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Silken Tofu

No Cream Cheese? Try These 11 Substitutes Instead (8)

Another plant-based alternative to cream cheese, silken tofu needs a little lemon and salt to achieve the same flavor profile. For cheesecake, swap your usual recipe for a vegan one that calls for tofu.

4 Smart Ways to Soften Cream Cheese Quickly—and Safely—in a Pinch

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Goat Cheese

No Cream Cheese? Try These 11 Substitutes Instead (9)

Goat cheese tends to be more crumbly than cream cheese. For it to work as a substitute, mix in a little heavy cream to get that cream cheese consistency.

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Cashews

No Cream Cheese? Try These 11 Substitutes Instead (10)

Nuts seem like an odd choice to replace cream cheese, but once they're softened and blended, you get that same creamy texture. To soften cashews: Soak them overnight or, if you're in a hurry, soak them in boiling water for 30 minutes. (Check out our cashew ricotta recipe, which makes a nice substitute.)

Many vegan cheesecake recipes use softened cashews—and it's best to follow one of those rather than your favorite dairy cheesecake recipe.

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Sour Cream

No Cream Cheese? Try These 11 Substitutes Instead (11)

Sour cream makes a great cream cheese substitute in dips and spreads—but it may not be suitable for dessert recipes.

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