How do you say 'cream cheese' in Spanish?

The standard translation is queso crema, used across Latin America and understood in Spain, where queso de untar is also common.

Is queso Philadelphia the same as queso crema?

In many Latin American countries the brand Philadelphia is so dominant that queso Philadelphia has become a colloquial synonym, much like saying Kleenex for tissue in English.

Can I use queso crema in both sweet and savory recipes?

Absolutely — queso crema is versatile and appears in cheesecakes, frostings, stuffed peppers, dips, and savory spreads throughout Spanish-speaking cuisines.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

Cream Cheese in Spanish: Queso Crema

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Queso Crema · noun · KEH-so KREH-mah

Queso crema is the standard Spanish translation for cream cheese, the smooth, mild dairy spread used in cooking and baking.

KEH-so KREH-mah

¿Puedes comprar queso crema en el supermercado?

Can you buy cream cheese at the supermarket?

Cream Cheese in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for cream cheese, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
queso crema	cream cheese	KEH-so KREH-mah	Default, widely understood
queso de untar	cream cheese		Spain
queso Philadelphia	cream cheese		colloquial brand reference in Latin America

How Native Speakers Use Queso Crema

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Grocery shopping

Necesito queso crema para hacer el pastel de zanahoria.

I need cream cheese to make the carrot cake.

Listing ingredients for a recipe.

Breakfast spread

Me gusta untar queso crema en mi bagel cada mañana.

I like to spread cream cheese on my bagel every morning.

Describing a daily breakfast routine.

Restaurant order

Los jalapeños rellenos llevan queso crema por dentro.

The stuffed jalapeños have cream cheese inside.

Explaining a dish at a restaurant.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Queso Crema

Translating as queso de crema

Incorrect: Compré queso de crema para la receta.

Correct: Compré queso crema para la receta.

The compound noun is queso crema without the preposition de — adding de changes the meaning and sounds unnatural.

Using crema alone for cream cheese

Incorrect: Ponle crema al pan tostado.

Correct: Ponle queso crema al pan tostado.

Crema by itself means cream or sour cream in most regions; you need queso crema to specify cream cheese.

Lock in Cream Cheese Vocabulary with the Parrot Method

Why word lists alone don't stick

Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.

See Queso Crema used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using queso crema in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear ¿Puedes comprar queso crema en el supermercado? while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

Save, review, repeat, stay consistent

Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.

Common Questions About Cream Cheese in Spanish

How do you say 'cream cheese' in Spanish?: The standard translation is queso crema, used across Latin America and understood in Spain, where queso de untar is also common.
Is queso Philadelphia the same as queso crema?: In many Latin American countries the brand Philadelphia is so dominant that queso Philadelphia has become a colloquial synonym, much like saying Kleenex for tissue in English.
Can I use queso crema in both sweet and savory recipes?: Absolutely — queso crema is versatile and appears in cheesecakes, frostings, stuffed peppers, dips, and savory spreads throughout Spanish-speaking cuisines.