Sour cream is a dairy product made by fermenting regular cream with lactic acid bacteria. It has a tangy, creamy flavor and thick texture that makes it a tasty addition to many foods like baked potatoes, tacos, chili, and more. However, like any perishable dairy food, sour cream does eventually spoil and go “off.” Knowing how to tell if your sour cream is still good to eat is important for both food safety and avoiding wasting food.
Signs of Spoiled Sour Cream
There are a few clear signs that indicate your sour cream has spoiled and should be discarded:
- Mold growth – Any fuzzy, discolored spots or areas on the surface of the sour cream.
- Curdled texture – Instead of being smooth and creamy, the sour cream is lumpy, chunky, and watery.
- Separated liquid – Clear liquid has separated out from the thicker parts of the sour cream.
- Off odor – The sour cream smells rancid, unpleasant, or “off” instead of tangy and creamy.
- Off flavor – Strange, bitter, unpleasant flavors instead of a tangy creamy dairy flavor.
If you notice any of these signs when you open and inspect your sour cream, it is past its prime and should not be eaten. Discard the tub in the garbage (not the compost).
How to Tell if Unopened Sour Cream is Bad
If you have an unopened, sealed tub of sour cream in your fridge, you’ll need to rely on the expiration date and appearance rather than smell and texture to determine if it’s gone bad. Here’s what to look for:
- Expired date – If the “use by” or expiration date printed on the sour cream packaging has passed, that’s a good indication it may be spoiled and should be discarded.
- Swollen container – If the plastic tub containing the sour cream appears puffed up or swollen, this can indicate gas production by spoilage microorganisms and the sour cream is likely bad.
- Mold inside container – Check the sour cream in the tub to see if there are any areas of color or fuzziness that indicate mold has grown. This means it’s spoiled.
- Very runny consistency – If you shake the container and the sour cream seems much thinner and more liquid-like than normal, this is a sign it may be bad.
When in doubt, use your nose after opening the container. Any rancid or unpleasant sour aromas mean it’s time to toss it.
How To Store Sour Cream Properly
To extend the shelf life of your sour cream and prevent it from going bad prematurely, be sure to store it correctly:
- Keep it refrigerated – Sour cream must be kept chilled at 40°F or below. Keep it in the back of the fridge, not the door.
- Seal the container – Securely close the plastic tub or jar with the original lid to prevent contamination.
- Check the date – Write the date you opened it on the tub and use within 7-21 days.
- No temperature fluctuations – Avoid leaving it out on the counter or moving it back and forth from the fridge to prevent bacteria growth.
How Long Does Sour Cream Last?
How quickly sour cream expires depends on a few factors:
- Sell-by date – Commercially packaged sour cream typically lasts about 3 weeks after the “sell-by” or “best if used by” date if properly stored.
- Prepared at home – Homemade sour cream may only last about 1-2 weeks.
- After opening – An opened tub should be used within 7-21 days.
- Temperature – Heat and temperature fluctuations shorten shelf life.
- Contamination – Double dipping introduces bacteria that can make it spoil faster.
So an unopened tub stored consistently at 40°F could potentially stay fresh for a few weeks past the date, while homemade or opened sour cream has a shorter lifespan in the fridge.
Can You Save Sour Cream Once It Has Spoiled?
Unfortunately, once sour cream has begun to spoil, it cannot be safely salvaged. The bacteria and mold that cause it to go bad cannot be reversed, so it must be thrown out.
Do not simply try to scrape off the mold and use the rest. The fungi will leave behind toxic byproducts that have likely spread through the entire tub, even if not visibly. Consuming spoiled sour cream can potentially cause food poisoning.
Uses for Sour Cream Past Its Prime
While you should never eat spoiled sour cream, there are a couple useful ways you can repurpose an expired tub before throwing it away:
- Face or hair mask – The acids in sour cream provide a nice cleansing and exfoliating effect. Apply it to your face or hair, allow it to sit for 15-20 minutes, then rinse off.
- Pet treats – Sour cream typically won’t make pets sick like it would humans. Mix some into your dog or cat’s wet food for an added protein boost.
- Compost pile – Dump clearly bad sour cream into your compost bin outdoors, not in the kitchen garbage where it may cause odors.
How to Prevent Sour Cream from Spoiling Too Quickly
To help your sour cream last as long as possible:
- Store it properly – Keep refrigerated at 40°F or below in original airtight packaging.
- Avoid contamination – Use clean utensils each time you scoop some out.
- Portion into smaller containers – This reduces exposure to air and bacteria each time you open it.
- Freeze for longer storage – Frozen sour cream can keep for up to 4 months.
- Check expiration dates – Buy product with the furthest out “sell-by” or “use-by” dates.
Can You Freeze Sour Cream?
Yes, sour cream can be frozen to extend its shelf life. To freeze:
- Fill an airtight container or freezer bag, leaving 1⁄2 inch headspace.
- Seal it very well and label with the date.
- Freeze for up to 4 months at 0°F.
- Thaw in the fridge before using.
- Use thawed sour cream within 7-10 days.
- Do not refreeze once thawed.
The texture may be slightly more liquid-like once thawed but will still taste fine. Frozen sour cream is great to have on hand for recipes or as a backup.
Conclusion
Keeping close tabs on expiration dates, avoiding contamination, and proper refrigeration are all keys to preventing sour cream from going bad prematurely. But if you do notice signs like mold, off-flavors, separation, or a rancid smell, it’s time to toss it. With proper storage, careful use, and freezing for longer keeping, you can have fresh-tasting sour cream on hand whenever a recipe calls for it.