Can you freeze sour cream? Like any dairy product, sour cream doesn’t keep well, even if it’s refrigerated. If you have excess sour cream and want to store it longer, you will need to freeze it so it can last for months.
Yes, you can freeze sour cream, but don’t expect the texture to stay the same. Because the ingredients tend to break down during freezing, frozen sour cream will become chunky after thawing. Luckily, we know a tip that might help restore sour cream’s original texture. Properly frozen, sour cream can be kept for up to six months.
How to freeze sour cream
Sour cream freezes best in an airtight container. Start by whipping the sour cream with a whisk or spatula. It is important to ensure that the ingredients are evenly mixed with the moisture. That way, the sour cream won’t become watery or lumpy after thawing.
When you’re done whipping the sour cream, it’s time to transfer it to a freezer-safe, airtight container. You can also use a ziplock plastic bag to store the cream. Simply spoon the sour cream directly into the container. If you’re using a rigid plastic container, allow an inch for the sour cream to expand as it freezes. On the other hand, if you’re using Ziploc plastic bags, squeeze as much air as possible before sealing the bag.
After transferring the sour cream, get a marker and write the freeze date on the container. Place the sour cream in the freezer and you’re done!
How do you thaw frozen sour cream?
The best way to thaw frozen sour cream is to thaw the container in the refrigerator for a few hours. If the sour cream has taken on a chunky or watery texture, you can restore it to its original texture by whipping a teaspoon of cornstarch into the cream.
Read Also: Can you freeze oatmeal?
Freezing Sour Cream FAQ
Can you freeze sour cream dips and sauces?
While freezing sour cream-based sauces and dips is perfectly fine from a safety standpoint, the quality of thawed dips or sauces is highly dependent on the ingredients. As you already know, sour cream separates after freezing and thawing, and a similar thing happens when you freeze it in a dressing. Also, there are other ingredients in this dressing that may not freeze as well.
The best way to answer this question is to freeze a small amount of whatever sauce you bought (or made) and see how it looks and tastes once thawed. To make the texture a little better after defrosting, give it a good stir and maybe add a spoonful of fresh sour cream or mayo. Again, you’ll have to try it for yourself to know if your favorite sour cream dip or sauce is okay once defrosted.
Can you freeze sour cream pastries?
Yes, if you want to make some sour cream cookies ahead of time, or bake a large batch and save for later, that’s totally doable. The way to get there is to freeze the prepared dough before baking. It is wrapped tightly in plastic foil and then either wrapped again in aluminum foil or placed in a freezer bag. When it’s done, put it in the freezer bag. For best quality, you should use it within a few weeks. If you are looking for a sour cream pie crust recipe, check out this one .
summary
Whether the thawed sour cream has become watery or lumpy, it is still safe to use. Use it in all kinds of dishes, especially baked potatoes, tacos, soups and casseroles. Now that you know how to freeze sour cream properly, stock up on this perishable and never run out!