Fridge storage

How long does sour cream last in the fridge?

About 14 days for sour cream. That’s what Well Stockd plans on; the table below has the sources’ own times.

Times are for a fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below. They’re a guide, not a safety guarantee.

How we checked this: each storage time here is checked against the source named beside it, USDA FoodKeeper, USDA FSIS or another, before the page goes live. A time marked “Our estimate” is Well Stockd’s own, since FoodKeeper and FSIS give none. Editorial policy

Read the full guide: Is expired sour cream safe to eat if unopened?

How long it keeps

Unopened
Up to the printed date, typically 2 to 3 weeks Our estimate: FoodKeeper and FSIS give no time for this.
Opened or cut
1 to 2 weeks once opened Our estimate: FoodKeeper and FSIS give no time for this.
Freezer
Not recommended: freezing damages the texture beyond use.
How to store it
Airtight on a shelf. Freezing splits it, so it is not recommended.
Kitchen list sorted by use soon, grouped into fridge and pantry, each item with its amount and buttons to change it
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How to tell if sour cream has gone bad

Dates are estimates; these are the checks that actually decide it. Don’t taste food to check whether it has gone bad.

Throw it out at once if you see:

  • Any mold
  • Sharp sour smell beyond its normal tang

Warning signs (throw it out if you notice more than one):

  • Watery separation with discoloration
  • Yellowing

Sources and limits

Write the date it went in on the container, and check it before day 14. If the package has a date, go by whichever comes first.

Well Stockd doesn’t know when this food was harvested, packed, bought, opened or cooked. Write down the date you opened, cooked or refrigerated it, follow the package directions, keep your fridge at 40°F or below, and check the official listing when food safety is in question.

Each time in the table names its source beside it. A time marked “Our estimate” is Well Stockd’s own, because FoodKeeper and FSIS give none for that food in that state, and where our time differs from FoodKeeper’s, the row shows FoodKeeper’s figure too. The number at the top is Well Stockd’s own estimate. It’s a guide, not a safety guarantee: FoodKeeper says storage times are guidelines, and quality varies with how food is grown, handled, shipped and stored. This page was last updated .

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