In a nutshell: Yes, you can freeze sour cream, but it’s best used for baking or adding to cooked dishes after freezing, as its texture changes and makes it unsuitable for toppings, dips, and sauces; freezing while it’s fresh and using it within 6 months is recommended for the best results.
Creamy and tangy, sour cream is underestimated in its versatility. Most people know this creamy dairy product as a dip, savory topping to a baked potato or Mexican dishes. Sour cream, however, can be used in sweet dishes, for baking, stews, and soups.
Although dairy products don’t usually have a good reputation when it comes to freezing, it is possible to freeze sour cream to prevent it from going bad as long as you use it for cooking or baking once thawed.
Below you will find out all the do’s and don’ts when it comes to freezing sour cream and turning it into a delectable meal once thawed.
Can Sour Cream Be Frozen?
Fresh sour cream is suitable for freezing only if you are planning to use it for baking or adding to a cooked dish after freezing.
The texture of sour cream changes during the freezing process. This will make it unsuitable to use if a recipe calls for sour cream as toppings, dips and sauces. The flavor, however, does not change, which means that adding it to a soup, casserole or batter will still yield a creamy flavorful outcome.
Sour cream needs to be frozen while it is still fresh. Placing it in the freezer will not renew old sour cream, so keep in mind that if it is already off, it is best to throw it away. It is not a good idea to freeze sour cream that has already been sitting in the refrigerator for more than two weeks.
Although placing it in the freezer will prolong the shelf life of the sour cream up to 6 months, it is still best to use it as soon as possible. The product will continue to deteriorate over time, the longer it stays frozen.
How To Freeze Sour Cream
You can freeze sour cream in its original container, unopened with the seal still intact by placing it directly in the freezer.
Tip: Place the whole container in a zip lock bag to ensure it does not get pierced accidentally and spill over other products before it is fully frozen.
For best preservation and future use, here is how to freeze excess sour cream that has already been opened.
Step 1: Whisk
Sour cream will separate on thawing. Use a whisk to whip the sour cream before freezing to distribute the moisture evenly throughout.
Step 2: Portion and Pack
To avoid having to defrost the entire batch of frozen sour cream for use in one dish, divide it into smaller portions. This allows you to take out just enough for a specific recipe. You can do this by pouring the sour cream into ice cube molds, muffin tins, or pouring it straight into airtight containers or sealable freezer bags.
If using an ice cube tray or muffin tin, pour the sour cream into each compartment and place it directly in the freezer until fully frozen. Once frozen, pop out the frozen cubes and place them into a resealable freezer bag.
Step 3: Remove Air
Before sealing the freezer bags, press out all the excess air to avoid freezer burn and the formation of ice crystals.
Step 4: Label
Label the packet or container with the contents and date to keep track of how long it has been frozen.
How To Thaw Frozen Sour Cream
Method 1: Refrigerator
Remove the portion of frozen sour cream you would like to defrost from the freezer and place it directly into the fridge to thaw overnight (large containers) or for several hours (smaller amounts).
During the thawing process, the sour cream would have split and become watery. Mix it well with a whisk to reconstitute a smooth texture. You can also add a small amount of corn starch (made into a paste) and whisk it well before adding to your cooking.
Method 2: Water Bath
If you do not have enough prep time to wait a few hours for the sour cream to defrost in the refrigerator (which is the recommended method), you can also place the sealed zip lock bag in a bowl of warm (not piping hot) water for 20 to 30 minutes to defrost.
Method 3: Stovetop
Place the frozen sour cream in a saucepan or small pot over moderate heat on the stovetop and let it thaw slowly. Stir well. This is ideal if you are adding it to soups or stews straight away.
Types of Sour Cream
Sour cream is produced by fermenting regular cream with lactic acid culture in a process called ‘souring’. This fermentation process is what gives it a slightly tart flavor and a thicker consistency.
Yogurt, cream cheese, and crème fraiche are made in a similar fashion. Different types of lactic acid bacteria, varying fermentation times, and different fat quantities ultimately result in a variety of fermented dairy products. Crème fraiche has a higher fat content than that of sour cream, with a less sour flavor.
FAQs
How long does sour cream last when refrigerated?
Leftover sour cream will last for 2 weeks in the refrigerator once opened. It should be kept in an airtight container.
How long does sour cream last in the freezer?
You can keep sour cream frozen up to six months. It is however recommended to use it within three months to get the best out of the product as the quality will start to decline if you store sour cream for too long.
How do you fix lumpy or runny defrosted sour cream?
Despite the lumps, it is still perfectly fine to use. Simply transfer it into a clean new container and whisk the defrosted sour cream very well at a fast speed to reconstitute its creamy texture.
What can you do with defrosted sour cream?
Although the texture will no longer be suitable to use for dips or as a baked potato topping, thawed sour cream can be added to beef stroganoff, pasta sauces, batters for cakes, pancakes, and fritters, incorporated into casseroles, soups, and stews.
Can you add frozen sour cream to dishes when cooking without thawing it?
You can add frozen sour cream to soups and stews without thawing it. However, if you are using sour cream in a baked product, you have to thaw it before adding it to the batter.
Frozen sour cream will change the consistency of your dish once added. Therefore, do not add too much liquid to your stew or soup until the sour cream has defrosted with the other ingredients and you have a better idea of what the consistency will be like.
You may need to add a few minutes to the cooking time considering the addition of a cold ingredient which drops the overall temperature of the dish and slows the cooking process.
Can you thaw sour cream in the microwave?
Yes, you can defrost sour cream in the microwave, however, it is imperative that you do it in short intervals to prevent overheating. Microwave it at 50 percent for a minute and then stop to stir every 15 seconds to ensure the heat spreads evenly.
Can you refreeze sour cream?
No, sour cream should only be frozen and thawed once. Freezing and thawing sour cream more than once will break down the texture further and begin to develop bacteria. Even if you freeze sour cream in its own container before being opened, it’s best to use everything once thawed.
How do you thicken frozen sour cream?
To thicken frozen sour cream, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator, and then gently whisk or stir it to restore its original consistency; if further thickening is desired, you can add small amounts of cornstarch or flour while heating the sour cream on low heat.
Conclusion
Since freezing sour cream does not affect its taste, it is the perfect way to preserve this creamy dairy ingredient to save money and prevent food waste. There are various ways to revive its texture and to use frozen sour cream, so do not hesitate to pop it into the freezer for future use.
Just remember, if you want the best out of your frozen goods long-term, it needs to be prepared properly for freezing. There are loads of sour cream recipes that incorporate the creamy ingredient in cooked dishes, baked goods, and even desserts.
You might even find a new favorite by trying something creative, now that you know you do not have to toss the remaining half of your refrigerated sour cream carton. Happy cooking.
As a qualified Holistic Nutritionist, Helga has also combined her passion for good food and healthy living in wellness coaching. After years practicing in the catering and hospitality industries, Helga now focuses on sharing her knowledge and experience with others through writing about food tips, cooking advice, wellness, global food trends, and travel.
