Can You Freeze Sour Cream?
Sour Cream is a popular dairy product. It doesn’t last very long in the fridge, but it’s often sold in large containers.
This leads to spoilage and food wastage.
Luckily, there are ways to prolong the shelf-life of Sour Cream.
Sour Cream should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. So, yes – you can freeze Sour Cream.
Although, you should do it properly to minimize the side effects of freezing and ensure that your Sour Cream is still safe to consume and is still usable.
But how?
How to Freeze Sour Cream
Freezing Sour Cream is really simple.
Instructions:
- Make sure that the Sour Cream you’re freezing is still safe to eat – preferably fresh.
- Stir the Sour Cream using a spoon to make the texture even.
- Portion your Sour Cream – this makes storing them more efficient and using them much easier.
- Put them in any freezer-safe airtight container or freezer quality plastic bag. If you’re using a freezer bag, make sure to remove as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn.
- Make sure to label and date the container properly so you know when you should use your Sour Cream.
- Freeze.
Tip!
You can also freeze your Sour Cream using a silicone ice cube tray or muffin tin first and then transfer them into another container once frozen. This portions your Sour Cream and makes it easier to get them when you’re ready to use them.
Also, it’s not recommended that you put Sour Cream back in the freezer after thawing to prevent bacteria growth. So portioning it, so you only take out the amount you need is crucial.
How to Defrost Sour Cream?
Method #1: Slow and steady using Refrigerator
This is the recommended way of thawing Sour Cream. This is perfect for when you know you will use Sour Cream and can prepare way ahead or when you’re just not in a rush.
- Take just the portion you need hours before you have to use it.
- Transfer it from your freezer to your fridge
- Leave it there for a few hours until it is thawed to your liking – you can leave it there overnight if you want.
Method #2: Fast and warm using Water Bath
This method is ideal when you’re short on time and wasn’t able to do Method #1 ahead of time.
- Take just the portion you need a couple of minutes before you have to use it.
- Place it inside a sealed food-safe plastic bag or container
- Place the Sour Cream container or bag in a bowl or basin of warm (not hot) water
- Leave it there for a few minutes until it is thawed to your liking – it could take 20-30 minutes.
Method #3: For soups and stews, only using Stovetop
Do this method only when you’re adding the Sour Cream to soups or stews straight away.
- Take just the portion you need
- Place them in a saucepan or whatever small pot is available to you
- Slowly let it thaw on low to medium heat.
Note:
While thawing, your Sour Cream can become watery or split. For this, you can make it smooth again by whisking it well. You can also whisk in a little bit of cornstarch before cooking it to help prevent it from breaking.
How To Know If Your Sour Cream Is Still Safe To Consume?
When frozen properly, Sour Cream can last up to six months.
However, even when frozen, Sour Cream continues to deteriorate over time, so it is recommended that you use your Sour Cream as soon as possible – preferably within 3 months.
Whether your Sour Cream has been frozen for 6 months or 2 weeks, you should check if it’s in good condition before consuming or adding it to your dishes.
List of things to check to know if your Sour Cream is still safe to eat:
- Check the expiration date. If it’s past, then don’t eat them.
- Check for bad smell. Even though it looks fine, throw it out if it smells bad. Even if you think it’s not that bad of a smell, if it has any unusual smells, it’s best not to eat it.
- Check the texture. Some separation between the Cream and the liquid is normal, but you have to make sure that it isn’t overly watery or otherwise clumsy.
- Check for mould or discolouration. If you see green or white fuzzy mould on the top of the Cream, discard it. If you see yellowing in the Cream, discard it.
Remember, “When in doubt, throw it out.”
Conclusion:
Can you freeze Sour Cream? Definitely.
Is it ideal? Not really, because it can affect the quality of your Sour Cream and give it some texture issues. But you can retrieve its creamy texture anyway by whisking or adding cornstarch. There are also a bunch of recipes where you can use frozen Sour Cream, especially on baked dishes and soups.
Is freezing them better than throwing any leftovers and wasting food? Of course!
So go ahead, freeze them and enjoy!
