How Long Does Ice Cream Last?
Unopened ice cream keeps its best quality for about 2 months in the freezer; once opened, it is best within 2–3 weeks. Do not refreeze ice cream that has fully melted.
Ice Cream — unopened
shelf life- Opened: 2–3 weeks in the freezer
Fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below · freezer at 0°F (−18°C). Freezer times are for best quality; frozen food stays safe longer.
Ice cream is a frozen foam of cream, milk, sugar and air. It stays safe as long as it stays frozen, but its texture is fragile: every time the surface softens and refreezes, small ice crystals melt and regrow as large, crunchy ones. Once it has fully melted it is simply sweetened dairy at room temperature, which bacteria such as Listeria can grow in.
How to store ice cream
- Store ice cream at the back of the main freezer compartment, never in the door, where the temperature swings every time it is opened.
- Press a piece of plastic wrap or parchment directly onto the surface before replacing the lid to keep air away and slow ice crystal formation.
- Scoop what you need and return the tub to the freezer right away instead of letting it soften on the counter; use a scoop dipped in warm water for hard ice cream.
- Make ice cream your last grocery pickup and bring it home in an insulated bag, especially in summer.
- Keep the freezer at 0°F (−18°C) or colder; many ice cream complaints trace back to a freezer running too warm.
How to tell if ice cream has gone bad
- A layer of large ice crystals or frost on the surface and under the lid, the mark of freezer burn from thawing and refreezing.
- A gummy, sticky, shrunken or sandy texture, meaning it partly melted and refroze.
- A stale or 'freezer' flavor picked up from other foods.
- A sour smell or taste, or a tub that was found fully melted; discard it, because refreezing does not make it safe.
Bacteria that cause food poisoning usually do not change the look, smell or taste of food. Go by the time limits first, and the signs above second.
Ice Cream shelf life chart
| State | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unopened | Not recommended | 2 months | Not safe |
| Best-quality window at 0°F (−18°C); it remains safe longer if it never thawed. | |||
| Opened | Not recommended | 2–3 weeks | Not safe |
| Peak quality. Still acceptable for 2–4 months, with more ice crystals and duller flavor. | |||
Not safe = perishable: no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90°F / 32°C). Not recommended = possible, but quality suffers or it serves no purpose.
Frequently asked questions
Does ice cream go bad in the freezer?
It does not become unsafe if it stays frozen at 0°F (−18°C), but its quality clearly declines. Unopened ice cream is at its best for about 2 months and opened ice cream for 2–3 weeks. After that, ice crystals grow, the texture turns icy or gummy and it picks up freezer odors.
Can you refreeze melted ice cream?
No, not if it has fully melted or sat out for more than 2 hours. Melted ice cream is a sweet, milky liquid in which bacteria, including Listeria, can multiply, and refreezing does not kill them. Ice cream that only softened at the edges for a few minutes can go back in, though it will be icier.
Is freezer-burned ice cream safe to eat?
Yes, freezer burn is a quality problem and not a safety one. The ice crystals form when moisture leaves the ice cream and refreezes on the surface. Scrape off the icy layer and the ice cream underneath is usually fine, though it may taste flat. Blending it into a milkshake hides the texture.
Can I eat ice cream after the best-by date?
Yes, if it has stayed frozen solid the whole time. The date on the tub is about peak quality, and an unopened container is generally still enjoyable for a couple of months past it. Check for a thick layer of ice crystals or a shrunken, gummy block, which show it has been through thaw cycles.
How long can ice cream sit out?
Ice cream should not sit out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C), from a safety standpoint. For quality the limit is far shorter: 10–15 minutes on the counter is enough to melt the outer layer, and that layer will refreeze as coarse ice.
Related foods
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sorbet Unopened |
Not recommended | 2–4 months | Not safe |
| Popsicles Store-bought |
Not recommended | 6–8 months | Not safe |
| Whipped Cream Opened |
3–4 weeks | Not recommended | Not safe |
| Heavy Cream Opened |
10 days | 3–4 months | Not safe |
| Milk Opened |
1 week | 3 months | Not safe |
| Frozen Fruit Unopened |
1–2 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
Reviewed 2026-09-20. Times follow published USDA FoodKeeper / FSIS, FDA and CDC storage guidance; where sources differ we use the shorter time. How we compile this data.