13 Walmart Brand Cream Cheeses, Ranked

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I've done a fair amount of shopping at Walmart, but I'm not an expert on the giant retailer. That's why it's not an utter shock that I have not tried something as basic as cream cheese. There's an interesting range of flavors available at Walmart, with a clear separation between savory and sweet, with many of the sweet ones centered on berry flavors. I tested my way through most of the Great Value and bettergoods Walmart brands options and found myself genuinely shocked at the results.

I'll dive into each flavor, what it tastes like, the key ingredients, and what I think as a food writer and home cook who typically likes more complex, not hyper-sweet options. I judged these by the delivery of the flavors — what they actually taste like versus what they are supposed to taste like, how delicious they were overall, and by their consistency. I found some of them had a different texture, which partially factored into their ranking. Pop a bagel in the toaster because you will have a couple of top cream cheese options at Walmart. 

At the bottom of the list, we have a relatively plain option: Great Value Cream Cheese Spread. On the plus side, there are no major flaws with this. It tastes plain, which is to be expected with the traditional base flavor. It's not at the bottom of the list because it has a terrible taste; instead, it just isn't quite as multifaceted or as richly textured as some of the other flavors.

On its own, this tastes perfectly acceptable, and it would be a good choice to grab as your cream cheese if you're already shopping at Walmart. However, when I tasted it alongside other options on this list, there was really no comparison. This is the most uninteresting of them all — that's all there is to it. This spread costs $1.93, so it's a fairly priced option among other cream cheese brands, but not quite as rich. This would be a good inclusion where other ingredients would act like the star, such as the cocoa-forward taste of cream cheese brownies. As a note: Most of the cream cheeses on this list cost $1.93, so rather than mentioning it every time, I will tell you when something strays from that price.

Great Value's whipped spread offers much of the same flavor as the non-whipped one. It's creamy but doesn't have a lot of flavor intrigue beyond that. However, I can appreciate the whipped texture, which adds some dimension. I could almost feel it popping in my mouth like Pop Rocks candy. This made it considerably more memorable than the Great Value Cream Cheese Spread. It's also less dense so that I can spread it easily on a cracker or even on a halved bell pepper.

I appreciate that I don't have to eat as much just because it is so aerated and easy to scoop and spread. I don't have any major complaints about Great Value's Original Whipped Cream Cheese Spread, so feel free to add it to your shopping cart for $2.08. This is slightly more dynamic than the previous option because it blends the creaminess of cream cheese with the airy whipped texture. There was some water separation, which, while initially unpleasant, can be easily mixed back in. You could use this option to make a DIY whipped everything cream cheese by gently folding in some everything bagel seasoning.

There's no denying that Great Value Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese Spread has more flavor than the previous two. For that reason, I can safely place it higher in the ranking. However, it still leans toward the bottom because it's a bit boring. Walmart could have ramped up the garden vegetable flavor here; it was so lightly applied that I had to really focus on finding any hint of it, and when I did, it offered just a dull, vegetable-like flavor.

That's why I was surprised to see the myriad of ingredients included: green and red bell peppers, onions, carrots, cucumbers, and celery. Some of which come in both dried and regular varieties. There's a bit of natural flavor and spice tossed in there as well. And yet, so little of it comes through on my taste buds — and that is without adding toast into the equation. This could be a good pick when you don't want an overpowering option that's still more interesting than plain, but there are better options for the $1.93 price.

Great Value Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread is nostalgic. Something about this flavor brings back memories (despite never having it), but I can't tell what it reminds me of. It uses strawberries, natural flavor, sugar, and honey, with a touch of fruit and vegetable juice to achieve the pink hue. It has a mellow berry flavor mixed with the cheese's creaminess. It creates a delicate berries-and-cream combination that is pleasant and easy to use. 

I could see this being fantastic on a big, juicy strawberry or even on a pancake. That's to say, this is highly versatile beyond just putting it on a bagel. I find this strawberry flavor endearing and slightly more noticeable in comparison to the Great Value garden veggie product, though it is still muted compared to the next flavor. I could also see this being a hit with guests and children because it's sweet and fruity, reminiscent of fruit juice with a creamy bonus. This is a good cream cheese flavor, but one I probably wouldn't reach for very often. I also wasn't a big fan of the super thick, slightly dry consistency. There is also Whipped Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread if that is of interest.

Priced at $1.93, Great Value Mixed Berry Cream Cheese Spread has similar flavor as the strawberry option, but it is a little more complex. The previous had strawberry-centered flavor, but this tastes like all those mixed-berry yogurts I've had over the years; you know the ones that are in nearly every yogurt variety pack. It's a little more dynamic, but with a clear, fruity berry blend. 

I'd say it has more flavor curiosity going for it, and perhaps it's even more usable than strawberry because the strawberry has a slight floral tinge. As a bonus, the texture of this one is a bit thicker and creamier than the strawberry option. This is perfect on a plain bagel, but I could also see it being fun in cheesecakes or other similar applications. While I think this is a versatile cream cheese, it is not particularly remarkable. I wouldn't go to Walmart just to seek it out if I had another brand's version closer to me. 

Unlike the mild strawberry cream cheese and the mixed berries' nondescript, fruity flavor, the Great Value Blueberry Cream Cheese Spread is distinctly blueberry-forward. This spread also hits a memory in my brain, though it's hard to place. It tastes familiar, comforting, and would be really good on a turkey sandwich, for sweet-and-savory flavor. It is certainly the most well-executed, interesting, and truest-to-taste flavor of any so far. 

And while it does live up to its name, there is a twinge of a manufactured taste; it tastes more like blueberry flavoring rather than the fruit itself. It uses both blueberries and blueberry purée to achieve the flavor, along with a bit of natural flavor, so it could very well be a combination of all elements. As far as the texture goes, there was a bit of separation between the cream and water, which contributed to a slightly looser consistency. It was better after blending, resulting in an overall creamy texture.

At $4, bettergoods' Dairy Free Cream Cheese is the priciest of the bunch, but I think it tastes really good. Over a decade ago, I spent a bit over a year eating vegan. There are many more products on the market now, and I would have been thoroughly pleased to find this. Regardless of whether you're vegan, I still think it has an alluring flavor and texture. I might not reach for it over some other flavors, and I wouldn't repurchase it continuously, but it's delicious.

Additionally, it has one of the best textures among all the options, thanks to its ridiculously smooth creaminess. My guess is it has to do with the coconut oil and butter beans, both of which I've found offer a silky-smooth consistency. This is a fantastic option for your fridge if you want something dairy-free. However, I wouldn't say it has a plain flavor. It has a bit of complexity — somewhat nutty and earthy notes make it not quite unflavored. However, this could be hidden with common household ingredients like honey or cinnamon, or savory options like chives or dill.

We have another solid option from bettergoods this time around: Raspberry Yuzu Cream Cheese Spread. It is easily the most complex option thus far. It delivers on both flavor notes; it has some fruitiness, but the addition of yuzu makes this so much brighter and captivating for the senses. The citrus brings levity to the sweet, creamy base. Much like the Great Value strawberry cream cheese, the raspberry here is muted, letting the yuzu shine while adding a bit of tangy berry intrigue. 

It hits various parts of the taste buds, bouncing from fruity to citrusy, then lush and creamy. Everything works well, to ensure it is not overwhelming. I think the raspberry flavor is a great choice here, as it brings more dimension than strawberry or blueberry thanks to the tart element. The texture is quite thick, and it seemed slightly drier than most options I tried. It would blend beautifully on a warm toasted bagel, though. The elevated taste of this would be perfect for impressing guests for a weekend brunch. The cream cheese spread costs $2.72.

Though I enjoy the memorable raspberry-yuzu combination, it feels somewhat limiting. However, Great Value's Chive & Onion Cream Cheese Spread is perfect for many applications, whether that's on toast or in sandwiches. It works with just about any protein, whether I'm opting for poultry or perhaps a beer-battered fish fillet. This spread has all the familiar notes: onions, herbs, garlic, and a creamy touch. 

I love the novelty and intrigue of the Raspberry and Yuzu, but I would definitely polish off a container of Chive & Onion faster. It delivers everything it promises in the name, and it's an all-around solid product. I like the creamy taste paired with the mild lumpiness of the small pieces of dried chives and onions. I have to give this an all-around lead above the rest. The taste and texture make it more usable, allowing it to stick to surfaces like toast with ease. It is basically a sour cream and onion dip on its own, so it would pair really well with veggies like carrots or celery.

Most of the cream cheeses on this list are the same size and have similar packaging. The larger whipped container is an exception; however, the bettergoods Cream Cheese Bar is the only one I tried that comes in the form of a bar. This shape is what I mostly purchase, but I think the plastic container is much more convenient since the foil wrapping is messier. This is a simple approach to cream cheese, using only pasteurized milk and cream, cheese culture, and salt. However, it tastes incredibly rich. 

Despite having no added flavors, dried herbs, dried fruit, or other natural flavors like others on this list, it offers a flavor intensity that makes it mouthwatering. It tastes incredibly creamy, like the decadent cream you scoop off yogurt or high-fat milk. This is absolutely worth purchasing as it is incredibly versatile and delicious. The flavor is impeccable and absolutely deserves to get fourth place. You can buy a bar for $2.23, and the sky is the limit when it comes to its use — whether you want to mix a dollop into chili for a creamy touch or incorporate it into a tiramisu cheesecake. The biggest caveat here is the extremely thick, almost dry texture.

Pickle haters, I'm warning you to look away. My bronze place pick is a familiar flavor blend of herby dill and pungent pickle. The elements come together to create a delightful, flavorful, tangy, salty, and creamy combination. It delivers on every note. I have tried various pickled-flavored products, and sometimes they are missing some component, such as a prominent salty, briny taste. This nails it and feels like a creamy pickle, just without the wet crispness associated with the brined product. 

This Great Value Dill Pickle Cream Cheese Spread would easily be a repeat purchase for me based on flavor alone. Since it is pretty intense, however, I'd need to have a plan for it. It works well with veggies: Think snap peas or carrots, but it goes equally well with crackers. I think this should be a happy addition to any snack board since it pairs nicely with various cheeses, crostini, and meats. I appreciate that Walmart didn't skimp on dried dill; it is visible and prominent. Nothing is overpowered here, as cream cheese, dill, and pickle elements all work harmoniously. Chop some actual dill pickle to make the ideal cream cheese for an everything bagel. This already has a slightly looser consistency, so watch out for adding too much excess liquid. 

We've had some savory and plain winners in the last few rankings, but I'm pleased to introduce you to the best sweet flavor from Great Value or bettergoods: the Great Value French Toast Cream Cheese Spread. I expected this to rank poorly because it sounds vague, if not kind of unappetizing. Does it taste like French toast? Definitely not, but it tastes incredible. 

It tastes complexly sweet, and it is because it includes a medley of sweeteners; there is maple syrup, molasses, brown sugar, sugar, as well as spice, vanilla extract, and natural flavor. This combination creates a unique sweet blend that goes beyond just standard sugary cream cheese. Something about it also reminds me of Panera's Honey Walnut Cream Cheese. The texture here is very smooth and somewhat looser than most options, so it lives up to its spread moniker versus just plain cream cheese. That means it would be ideal for a cream cheese glaze for carrot cake waffles, where you can play on the consistency and dynamic sweet taste. So, yeah, I can't tell you it rings true to its name, but I can encourage you to buy it.

I genuinely had no idea how this taste test would go. It was hard to say, based on the name alone, what something would taste like — French Toast and Garden Vegetable are proof of that. But bettergoods Roasted Garlic Cream Cheese Spread tastes like a delightfully creamy roasted garlic spread that could cost at least double its $2.72 price tag. This is phenomenal and multi-dimensional — I could have continued eating it straight off the spoon. 

The ingredients include roasted garlic, minced garlic, and dried garlic for a trifecta. But then there are also dried onions, spices, and natural flavor. I think it's a home run because this cheese coupled the lighter, mild sweetness of roasted garlic with more intense garlic forms. This was the most pleasant to eat by far; I found myself coming back to it after my taste testing, and it was the first one I chose to eat again. I tried it with rice cake thins, toast, Persian cucumbers, and it's a total hit. It works for various breads and bagels, as well as veggies. It's the perfect spread for sandwiches and would be widely used in the kitchen. It checks all the boxes I was looking for, from delivering its namesake flavors and offering a memorable taste to being ultra-creamy and easy to use. You have to try it!

I purchased everything in one trip to Walmart and tried them straight off a spoon. I wanted to get the unadulterated flavor without bread, bagels, or anything like that. That way I could have a deeper understanding of the flavor and the nuances between them, especially for similar flavors such as the plain varieties and the various berry options. 

I tried each cream cheese multiple times by tasting a very small amount of each, but enough to get a flavorful mouthful. I was looking for the tastiest of them all; that meant I wanted something that actually tasted like the advertised flavor and was delicious overall. Consistency slightly factors in, as some were almost wet and runny, with some separation, while others were very firm and almost dry. The best ones had more interesting flavors that were easy to keep eating, while the lower-ranked ones were somewhat bland or underdelivered on their proposed flavor.