If you’re like most people, you probably use sour cream as a condiment and not a main dish. But even so, it’s still an important food item that many consumers buy on a regular basis. This cultured dairy product is made from pasteurized cream with lactic acid bacteria added to it.
The lactic acid bacteria ferments the cream and gives it a distinct sour and acidic taste. You might not think of sour cream as a long-lasting food item, but if stored properly, it can last for several weeks past its best-before date.
Here is everything you need to know about how long sour cream remains good after the expiration date, including details about storage tips and tricks to help extend its shelf life even further.
Simple Answer: How Long Is Sour Cream Good For After The Expiration Date?
Sour cream can last for up to three weeks past the expiration date, according to the USDA, if it has been stored in the refrigerator.
The expiration date on sour cream is not a safety date. It is a quality date. The sour cream will be safe to eat after the expiration date, but it may have lost some of its flavor and consistency.
So how long does sour cream last after its expiration date? It can last up to three weeks without developing a bitter flavor or discoloration, meaning that the sour cream is bad.
A best-before date is the date recommended by the manufacturer for when the product should be consumed. This date is not an expiration date, and your sour cream can last past this date by a few weeks.
The use by date on sour cream will be printed on the container underneath the nutrition facts. This date is there to help grocers and food retailers determine how long to keep the product on the shelf.
Once the sell-by date has passed, it does not mean that the tub of sour cream has gone bad. In fact, sour cream has a good shelf life of about two to three weeks after this date has passed. This is assuming you store the sour cream properly, which we’ll get into in a bit.
In other words, if your sour cream past expiration date is questionable and you are asking yourself: how long does sour cream last after expiration date? and how long does sour cream last unopened? I have the answers, so stay tuned.
Can Sour Cream Go Bad?
Sour cream is a tasty condiment that can be added to a wide variety of dishes. However, it’s important to know how long sour cream lasts so you can make sure it lasts as long as possible.
Sour cream can last for three weeks after the best-before date has passed, but it can be kept even longer with the right storage methods. Once you learn the signs of spoilage and how long sour cream lasts, you’ll be able to enjoy this dairy product for even longer.
And don’t be afraid to use sour cream in unexpected ways; it’s a great ingredient that can be added to nearly any dish.
Once you open a container of sour cream, you need to eat it within a couple of weeks if you want to keep it fresh and bacteria-free. Of course, it’s different for unopened sour cream shelf life, which can last longer than expired sour cream never opened.
You can extend the shelf life of sour cream by storing it in the fridge. You can also freeze sour cream after opening it to keep it fresh and bacteria-free for an even longer period of time.
If you don’t have room in your fridge or freezer for the sour cream packaging, you can transfer it to another airtight container or sealable plastic bag. Covering the sour cream with a clean paper towel or plastic wrap on top of the container or bag will help maintain the sour cream’s freshness.
When Does Sour Cream Go Bad?
Before you can extend the shelf life of sour cream, you need to know how to tell if it’s already spoiled. Spoiled sour cream is caused by the same bacteria that sour milk: lactic acid bacteria.
This bacteria produces lactic acid as a byproduct of the fermentation process. Sour cream with a high lactic acid content gives the dairy product a distinct sour taste. Here is how to tell it’s bad:
• If you notice a sour taste in sour cream and you know it hasn’t been sitting out for a long period of time, then chances are the sour cream has gone bad.
• In fact, sour cream goes bad when the sugars in it dissolve and form bacteria, and this develops when you store sour cream incorrectly.
• Bad sour cream will also have a very distinct smell. If your sour cream has gone bad, you’ll notice a pungent, sour smell that is usually accompanied by a watery consistency. If your sour cream smells like this, then you should throw it out.
• If your sour cream has been kept at the right temperature and you open it up and notice any of the above, throw it out.
• It may also look curdled or separated. If you notice any of these signs, it is best to throw out the sour cream.
But remember, sour cream can last for a few weeks past its best-before date, so if your sour cream still smells good and is stored properly, it’s probably still safe to consume. Spoiled sour cream will have a watery texture and a very sour smell.
Can You Eat Expired Sour Cream?
Yes, you can eat sour cream if you don’t see any signs of spoilage and up to three weeks after its best-by date, according to the USDA.
The answer to this question is not as simple as it seems. Sour cream is a dairy product that has a shelf life of about two weeks. It can be stored in the fridge for up to six months, but it will start to spoil and develop an unpleasant odor.
Sour cream is made from heavy cream, which contains natural bacteria that can cause spoilage. The bacteria produce lactic acid, which causes a sour taste and smell.
The acid also breaks down the proteins in the sour cream, which makes it more difficult for your body to digest and absorb nutrients from the food you eat with it.
Some people believe that they can eat sour cream that has expired because they think that it will not harm them because it is just a dairy product. However, the truth is that sour cream has a lot of bacteria in it.
The expiration date on the container indicates how long the bacteria will be alive for. So if you are going to consume any expired food products like sour cream, then make sure you cook it first so as to kill any bacteria living in it.
Can You Use Expired Sour Cream For Baking?
If your expired sour cream is kept in the fridge for up to three weeks after its expiration date and doesn’t show signs of spoilage, you can use it for cooking. But, if the sour cream keeps smelling, shows signs of spoilage, or is kept at room temperature for long periods, it is not safe.
If you are using sour cream that has been sitting in your fridge for less than three weeks, then it is safe to use it for baking. However, if you are using a sour cream that has been sitting in your fridge for longer than three weeks, then it is not safe to use it for baking.
You have to make sure there is no cross contamination or double dipping when eating. In fact, make sure you use a clean spoon or clean utensils when scoping the fresh sour cream.
Can You Get Sick From Expired Sour Cream?
You can get food poisoning if you eat or drink sour cream, whey, or buttermilk that is made of passed sour cream. Look for an off smell inside of the lid, any solid chunks, and what is the last date on the container. If your expired sour cream does have signs of spoilage, don’t eat it.
These are all good ways to make sour cream last longer, but these tips can only take you so far. Sour cream contains milk, and milk can only be stored for about a week past its best-before date.
First, you can increase the temperature of your fridge. A common mistake made by many people who don’t have a lot of experience in the kitchen is keeping their fridge too warm.
While keeping your fridge at a low temperature is a good idea, it can also speed up the process of bacteria growth and shorten the shelf life of certain foods.
Always Check The Expiration Date On Sour Cream
Sour cream is a dairy product made from cream that has undergone a process of lactic acid fermentation. Sour cream is popular in many cuisines and is used as an ingredient in other dishes, such as soups, salads, chilis, and dips.
This is why you need to know how long sour cream is good after the expiration date, so its expiry date and food storage don’t get in the way of your cooking.