How long does Sour Cream last?
Sour Cream lasts 2–3 weeks in the fridge. Spoilage signs to check, storage tips, and cited food-safety sources.
Quick answer
Can I still eat it?
Use this as a conservative screen before you rely on the storage window. If anything seems unsafe, discard it.
Sour Cream is within the fridge window if it stayed cold/dry as required and shows no discard signs.
Sealed / unopened: Check date
Signs Sour Cream has gone bad
- Pink or green mold.
- Watery separation that won't restir, yellow surface.
- Sharp off smell beyond tangy.
Discard immediately if
- Any visible mold — discard the entire container (do not scrape mold off sour cream)
- Putrid, yeasty, or otherwise off smell beyond normal cultured tang
- Pink, green, or gray surface tint, or separation into solids and liquid that will not restir
Why guidance varies
Dairy spoilage depends on initial pasteurization, fridge temperature, and how often the container is opened; manufacturer-printed dates assume continuous storage at 40°F (4°C) or below.
Get a heads-up before it expires. Search the full database instead.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sour Cream last?
In the fridge: 2–3 weeks. Sealed / unopened: Check date. Don't freeze — texture becomes grainy. Watch for yellow tint or sour smell beyond tangy.
How can you tell if Sour Cream has gone bad?
Signs that Sour Cream has gone bad: Pink or green mold; Watery separation that won't restir, yellow surface; Sharp off smell beyond tangy.
What does the date label on Sour Cream mean?
Sour Cream usually carries a "Use By" date. The last date the manufacturer recommends for peak quality — for most foods this is still quality-based, not a safety cutoff (infant formula is the one exception). See our date-labels guide for the full breakdown.
Sources for this answer
- A USDA FSIS — Molds on Food: Are They Dangerous? — Yogurt and sour cream with mold: discard entirely; high-moisture foods can be contaminated below the surface.
- A USDA FSIS FoodKeeper data — Sour cream refrigerated ~7–21 days; freezing not recommended.