Sour cream Per USDA FoodKeeper
On the counterCounter
2 hours
1 hour if above 90°F
In the fridgeFridge
Use-by date
follow the package date
In the freezerFreezer
Not recommended
texture or safety suffers
Quick answer
Yes. Sour cream lasts until the use-by date in the fridge. After that, or sooner if stored badly, it spoils: watch for the signs below.
How to tell if sour cream is bad
Smell
Sour or cheesy smell when it should be clean and mild.
Texture
Lumps, curdling or a thick, slimy body.
Colour
Yellowing or a pink, green or grey tinge.
Taste
Sour or bitter at the first sip — stop and discard.
Sour cream past the expiration date
Best-by and sell-by
FoodKeeper gives unopened sour cream use-by date in the fridge, counted from the day you buy it. "Best-by" and "sell-by" describe quality and stock rotation, not safety; only infant formula carries a federally required use-by date.
Past the date
For perishable sour cream, the storage clock matters more than the label: if it has been in the fridge longer than use-by date, discard it even before the printed date.
How to keep sour cream fresh longer
- Store on an inside shelf, not the door, at 40°F (4°C) or below.
- Close the container tightly; dairy absorbs fridge odours.
- Pour what you need and return it to the fridge right away.
More about sour cream
FAQ
How long does it take for sour cream to go bad?
until the use-by date in the fridge, per USDA FoodKeeper. At room temperature, 2 hours.
Can sour cream expire?
FoodKeeper gives unopened sour cream use-by date in the fridge, counted from the day you buy it. "Best-by" and "sell-by" describe quality and stock rotation, not safety; only infant formula carries a federally required use-by date.
What happens if you eat bad sour cream?
Spoiled perishable food can cause food poisoning: nausea, vomiting, cramps or diarrhoea. See a doctor if symptoms are severe or last more than a few days.
How do you keep sour cream from going bad?
Store on an inside shelf, not the door, at 40°F (4°C) or below.
Numbers on this page come from USDA FoodKeeper and FSIS guidance. Last verified November 2026. How we verify our data · Report a wrong number