ShelfLife
How long does cream last?
Heavy cream keeps about 10 days in the fridge from purchase, and half-and-half 3 to 4 days. Ultra-pasteurized whipping cream keeps about a month unopened, then about a week once opened. Homemade whipped cream is best within a day.
| Food | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy cream | 10 daysfrom purchase | 3–4 monthsfrom purchase |
| Ultra-pasteurized whipping cream | 1 monthfrom purchaseOpened: 1 week | Not recommended |
| Half-and-half | 3–4 daysfrom purchase | 4 monthsfrom purchase |
| Sweetened whipped cream | 1 day | 1–2 months |
Fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Freezer times are for best quality: food kept frozen stays safe, but slowly loses taste and texture. These times are USDA guidance, not a guarantee. When in doubt, throw it out.
How to tell if cream has gone bad
- A sour smell, the clearest sign.
- Lumps or a thick, curdled texture that doesn't pour smoothly, or cream that curdles in hot coffee.
- A yellowish color or any mold.
How to store cream
- Keep cream on a shelf at the back of the fridge, not in the door.
- Close the carton tightly and put it back in the fridge right after use.
- Once opened, even ultra-pasteurized cream keeps only about a week.
- Keep whipped cream covered in the fridge and use it the same day or the next.
Can you freeze cream?
Yes, heavy, light and half-and-half cream keep 3 to 4 months in the freezer. Leave room in the container, thaw it in the fridge and shake well. Thawed cream may separate and won't whip as well, but it's fine for sauces, soups and baking. Whipped cream can be frozen in dollops on a tray for 1 to 2 months.
Questions
How long does heavy cream last once opened?
Heavy cream keeps its 10 days from purchase whether opened or not; ultra-pasteurized cream keeps about a week once opened. Smell it before use.
Can you use cream after the date?
Cream kept cold can be fine for a short time past its date if it smells and pours normally. If it smells sour or has lumps, throw it out.
How long can cream sit out?
No more than 2 hours at room temperature, or 1 hour above 32 °C (90 °F).
Add cream to ShelfLife when you open it, and get a reminder before it turns.
Related foods
- MilkFridge: until the use-by date
- ButterFridge: 1–2 months
- Ice creamFreezer: 6 months
- Cream cheeseFridge: 2 weeks
Storage times: USDA FoodKeeper (Food Safety and Inspection Service), public domain. Text by ShelfLife.