How long does sour cream last?
In the fridge, sour cream keeps until the date on the package.
No guideline
Use by the package date
No guideline
Does sour cream go bad?
Yes. The fridge time above is the window USDA gives for good quality; after it, sour 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 sour cream has gone bad
- Mould on sour cream means the whole tub goes out. USDA does not allow scooping it off, because mould spreads through the soft cream.
- An off odour or off flavour, or yeasty growth, is the sign it has spoiled.
- Clemson extension gives opened sour cream 2 weeks in the fridge at 40 F (4 C) or below. Freezing is not recommended; the texture separates.
Sources: Molds on Food: Are They Dangerous? (USDA FSIS); Safe Handling of Milk and Dairy Products (Clemson University Extension). The times on this page 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.