Dairy Products & Eggs
How long does pudding last in the fridge?
Unopened pudding rides the package use-by date, but an opened cup or bowl gets 2 days in the fridge — finish it rather than saving it.
How long does it keep?
| Fridge | Package use-by date |
|---|---|
| Fridge, opened | 2 days |
| Freezer | Not recommended |
Can it sit out?
Pudding is perishable — the FSIS 2-hour rule applies.
Perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be thrown out — 1 hour if it’s 90°F or hotter (a picnic, a hot car, a summer kitchen).
How to tell if pudding has gone bad
- A sour or fermented smell off the surface
- Water weeping out of a split, grainy set
- Mold dots on the skin that forms across the top
When in doubt, throw it out.
Press plastic wrap right onto the surface — the skin itself is harmless, but the air gap under a loose lid is where mold gets started.
Quick answers
How long does pudding last in the fridge?
Unopened pudding rides the package use-by date, but an opened cup or bowl gets 2 days in the fridge — finish it rather than saving it.
Can you freeze pudding?
USDA lists freezing as “Not recommended” for pudding.
How long can pudding sit out?
The FSIS 2-hour rule applies to pudding. Perishable food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be thrown out — 1 hour if it’s 90°F or hotter (a picnic, a hot car, a summer kitchen).