Can You Freeze Sour Cream? Shelf Life, How To Thaw, 4 Uses (2024)

  • How to Freeze Sour Cream
    • How to freeze sour cream
  • What Happens To It?
    • What happens to sour cream during the freezing process?
  • How To Thaw It
    • How to thaw frozen sour cream
  • Can You Fix Runny Sour Cream?
    • How do you fix runny sour cream?
  • 4 Uses
    • 4 uses of frozen sour cream
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Can You Freeze Sour Cream? Shelf Life, How To Thaw, 4 Uses (1)

The flavor of sour cream is unaffected by freezing, but the texture is altered.

Yes, you can freeze sour cream. Fresh sour cream could be frozen for up to two months and can be added to recipes that need baking. It is safe to consume frozen sour cream after thawing it.

Freezing is one of the most effective methods to extend the shelf life of dairy products. However, there may be some texture and flavor changes after freezing and thawing.

Sour cream may get runnier and less thick after freezing, but it is still edible. Because freezing dulls the flavor of dairy products, they may not taste as wonderful as fresh sour cream. However, frozen sour cream is completely edible and safe to ingest. Just be sure to properly defrost it before using it.

How to freeze sour cream

Methods to freeze opened sour cream

  • Put the sour cream into a container and whisk the cream. This helps equally distribute moisture.
  • Whisking reduces the risk of splitting.
  • If you intend to use a Ziploc, you must remove as much air as possible before sealing it.
  • Place it in the freezer.

Methods to freeze unopened sour cream

  • If you do not plan to use a store-bought sour cream anytime sooner, you may freeze it without opening the container.
  • Simply place the pack in the freezer and leave it there until you are ready to use it.
  • Because the pack is unopened, it does not contain any additional moisture particles. So, the shelf life of the sour cream is longer.

Always label the bag or container with the date you freeze the sour cream, whether it is opened or unopened.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests freezing yogurt for up to two months. Because sour cream is a comparable product, frozen sour cream should be used within two months of freezing.

It is recommended to freeze fresh, unopened sour cream for two months and open, leftover sour cream for two weeks.

Freezer temperatures should be kept at 0°F to ensure the safety of frozen items.

What happens to sour cream during the freezing process?

The flavor of sour cream is unaffected by freezing, but the texture is altered. It turns into a crumbly cottage cheese-like consistency, which is entirely normal. When sour cream is frozen, the fat separates from the liquid, causing it to become lumpy, gritty, and unpleasant to consume. However, you could use it for baking or in meals if the creamy flavor is preserved.

A cooked dish with sour creams, such as soups and baked pastries, freezes well. If you opt to freeze sour cream on its own, make sure to freeze and thaw it correctly to achieve the greatest results when utilizing it in your recipes.

QUESTION According to the USDA, there is no difference between a “portion” and a “serving.” See Answer

How to thaw frozen sour cream

The thawing procedure is the same for both opened and sealed containers of sour cream.

  • Transfer the container or Ziploc from the freezer to the refrigerator. Give time for the frozen sour cream to defrost slowly and shatter all the ice. When it gets soft, take it out of the refrigerator and whisk the cream before using it.
  • Another option is to defrost it and then put it in a blender. Whip it, then place it in the refrigerator to set. This may restore its original texture.
  • To defrost frozen sour cream faster, you may microwave the sour cream in 30-second intervals and mix it up for every interval until it softens.

If you feel the sour cream is a bit watery, you may stir in one to two tablespoons of cornstarch. This will thicken it to its original texture. Never leave it outside or thaw at room temperature. This encourages bacterial development.

It is not recommended to refreeze frozen sour cream after defrosting. Thawing and refreezing may result in bacterial contamination, making the sour cream unsafe to consume. You must use the thawed sour cream within a few hours.

How do you fix runny sour cream?

It is okay if your sour cream becomes a little runny on top. However, if there is a lot of water, the aroma is sourer than normal or signs of rotting or fungus are present, throw it out.

Whey is the liquid that forms on the surface of sour cream. Whey and casein are two proteins found in milk. To prevent whey separation and improve texture, sour cream is routinely stabilized. Whey rises to the surface of sour cream when shaken or kept in the refrigerator for a while.

4 uses of frozen sour cream

Sour cream that has been frozen and thawed works best in baking.

  1. Use it in a variety of pastries or muffins. Avoid using it in cheesecakes because it will not provide a velvety texture. Sour cream, whether low or nonfat frozen, should not be used.
  2. You may put it over baked potatoes or in any dip to add a creamy flavor.
  3. If sour cream is the sole ingredient, do not use it directly, use it in dips with other ingredients.
  4. Can be used in soups and casseroles because freezing does not affect the taste. Soups with added sour cream taste better and are filling.

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Medically Reviewed on 7/14/2022

References

Image Source: iStock image

Lozare D. Can You Freeze Sour Cream? Yes, And It’s Safe. Recipes.net. https://recipes.net/articles/can-you-freeze-sour-cream/

Foster M. Can Sour Cream Be Frozen? Foodchamps.org. https://www.foodchamps.org/freeze-sour-cream/

Can You Freeze Sour Cream? Shelf Life, How To Thaw, 4 Uses (2024)

FAQs

Can You Freeze Sour Cream? Shelf Life, How To Thaw, 4 Uses? ›

Sour cream can be stored in the freezer for up to six months. To thaw, simply transfer the amount of sour cream you need to the fridge and allow it to thaw for several hours. You'll notice the texture will be a bit watery and separated. Simply whip it with a whisk to reach a smooth consistency.

How do you thaw frozen sour cream? ›

Sour cream should always be thawed in the refrigerator for best texture and to prevent bacterial growth. Step 1: Transfer the sour cream to the fridge. Thaw the cream in the fridge for several hours or up to a day depending on the size of the container. Step 2: Beat it to restore creamy texture.

Can sour cream be frozen for future use? ›

Since sour cream is a similar product, storing sour cream in the freezer for up to two months is a safe bet, as quoted in Healthline. You can add the frozen sour cream directly to recipes like soups and stews.

How do you make frozen sour cream thick again? ›

Once thawed in the fridge, you can use a whisk or a hand blender to whip the sour cream so that it's closer to its original texture.

How to store sour cream long term? ›

Simple…just flip the container!

It's been shown that turning your container on its head creates a vacuum that keeps the bacteria (the kind that spoils your food) from growing. This means less waste, fewer trips to the grocery store and more time enjoying the Hiland Dairy Sour Cream and Cottage Cheese you know and love!

Does sour cream curdle after freezing? ›

When you freeze sour cream, it curdles and alters the texture and flavors. First, let's tackle texture. After thawing safely in a refrigerator, it may become more liquid and the fat from the milk may separate from the liquid.

How to tell if sour cream is bad? ›

It should not be consumed if it develops an off smell, molds or becomes yellow or discolored.

How long is sour cream good when opened? ›

As a general guideline, you can expect the product to stay fresh for approximately two weeks after opening the container. By smelling, tasting, and looking at the appearance, you can use your best judgment to ensure the product's freshness.

Is sour cream ruined if it freezes? ›

According to Healthline, freezing sour cream can affect its quality and texture. Some manufacturers even advise against freezing sour cream as a result of these texture changes. Regardless, it is perfectly safe to freeze sour cream. You can store it in a plastic bag or glass container and place it in the freezer.

Why is my sour cream runny after freezing? ›

Freezing changes sour cream's texture

“The creamy texture of sour cream is a loose matrix of milk proteins and fat that hold the water in this matrix. The ice crystals that form disrupt this matrix and result in a very grainy and sometimes runny texture, often with free moisture or water resulting,” said Galer.

How to defrost sour cream? ›

Frozen sour cream should last up to six months, though it will be best if used in the first two and three months. (Don't forget to label the containers with the date you froze them, so you know!) To defrost, place the frozen container in your refrigerator for several hours to overnight to come to a useable consistency.

What do you do with frozen sour cream? ›

Sour cream that has been frozen and thawed works best in baking.
  1. Use it in a variety of pastries or muffins. ...
  2. You may put it over baked potatoes or in any dip to add a creamy flavor.
  3. If sour cream is the sole ingredient, do not use it directly, use it in dips with other ingredients.
Jul 14, 2022

What to do with expired sour cream? ›

Open it, smell it, taste it. If it looks, smells and tastes like sour cream and there is no mold, it's okay to eat. The chances are about 99% that this is the case.

What happens if sour cream accidentally froze? ›

However, similar to freezing other dairy products like milk and cream cheese, the texture will be affected. You may find it slightly separated once it's defrosted. But rest assured, it's still edible, and we're here to give you advice on the best ways to freeze, defrost, and bring it back to life.

Why is my sour cream watery after freezing? ›

The ice crystals that form disrupt this matrix and result in a very grainy and sometimes runny texture, often with free moisture or water resulting,” said Galer.

How do you thaw frozen ingredients? ›

When thawing frozen food, it's best to plan ahead and thaw in the refrigerator where it will remain at a safe, constant temperature — at 40 °F or below. There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave. In a hurry?

How do you defrost sweet and sour sauce? ›

Defrost thoroughly in the fridge and use within 24 hours.

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