Food Expiration Dates 101: How Long to Keep Dairy and Eggs

Who hasn't sniffed the milk carton and hoped for the best? It's tough to know when butter, cheese, cream, milk, yogurt and eggs have gone bad so we've created this handy cheat sheet of expiration dates from StillTasty.com. Read on to find out when to toss eggs and dairy products! (26 Photos)

Lisa Cericola on Feb 25, 2013 at 12:23PM

chime in now
  • 2 of 26

Food Expiration Dates 101: How Long to Keep Dairy and Eggs

Maren Caruso/Photographer's Choice/Getty Images

Next Up: Food Expiration Dates 101: How Long to Keep Spices, Peanut Butter and Other Pantry Items
starts in 3 seconds
    Loading slides...

Butter


Unopened or Opened: One month after sell-by date on package in the refrigerator or six to nine months in the freezer.

Butter may be left at room temperature for one to two days, but it will begin to spoil quickly after that if not refrigerated. Salted butter will generally freeze better than unsalted butter. If it develops an off color, odor or appearance, discard it.

Comments Hide
What dairy products do you never use up?
Chime in now!