How long does heavy cream last?
In the fridge, heavy cream keeps for 10 days from the package date.
Where these times come from. USDA FoodKeeper has no entry named "heavy cream". The times on this page are the USDA figures for heavy cream, copied without change from its Cream entry. The full entry lists other kinds too.
No guideline
10 days
from the package date
No guideline
Does heavy cream go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, heavy cream may still be safe for a short while but quality drops and spoilage signs start. The date on the package is the maker's quality promise; the times here count from purchase unless marked "from the package date".
Two numbers to keep in mind: a fridge at 40 F (4 C) or below, and no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90 F / 32 C) for anything perishable.
How to tell heavy cream has gone bad
General signs for dairy products & eggs, the group USDA lists heavy cream under.
- Sour, sharp smell from milk or yogurt that was mild before
- Mould on cheese that is not part of the recipe
- Eggs that float in a bowl of water instead of sinking
- Slimy or watery texture on soft cheese or yogurt
- Yellowing or watery separation showing up in milk
More on dairy products & eggs. The times above are quality guidelines, not safety limits; food that shows these signs goes out regardless of the date.
How long do other dairy products & eggs last?
Source: USDA FSIS FoodKeeper dataset (public domain). How we decode the data.