How long can cooked sour cream be left out?

You should not leave cooked sour cream out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Here's why:

* Bacteria Growth: Sour cream is a dairy product, which makes it a breeding ground for bacteria. Leaving it out at room temperature allows bacteria to multiply rapidly, potentially leading to food poisoning.

* Spoilage: Even if you don't get sick, sour cream left out for too long will start to spoil, becoming thinner, sourer, and potentially developing an off-putting odor.

To be safe, always:

* Refrigerate cooked sour cream immediately after it's been prepared.

* Discard any sour cream that has been left out for longer than 2 hours.

If you're unsure, it's always better to err on the side of caution and throw it away. Food poisoning is not worth the risk!