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Wondering if you can freeze sour cream? If you have extra on hand and want to know if you can save it in the freezer, keep reading!
Yes, You Can Freeze Sour Cream
Freezing sour cream is actually a convenient way to store it if you have a large container that you won’t be able to use up before it goes bad. Freezing sour cream can also be useful if you only need a small amount for a recipe and don’t want to waste the rest.
Will The Texture Change?
It’s important to note that freezing sour cream may cause it to become thicker and more difficult to spread or mix once it’s thawed. It may also separate and become grainy in texture. These changes will not affect the taste of the sour cream, but they may affect its texture and appearance. These changes will also change the way you’ll want to use your sour cream.
How Not to Freeze Sour Cream
Although you technically could freeze sour cream in its original container I don’t recommend doing so for two reasons:
- The original container is not made for freezer storage and can crack at cold temperatures.
- If the container is still very full, there won’t be enough room for the sour cream to expand in the freezer. As a result, it will pop the lid off your container and make a big mess in the freezer.
How to Properly Freeze Sour Cream
Luckily it isn’t too difficult to effectively freeze and store sour cream. Here’s how:
- Choose the right container. Transfer the sour cream to a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Make sure to leave about an inch of headspace in the container to allow for expansion as the sour cream freezes.
- Remove air, if possible. If you are using a freezer-safe Ziplock bag, squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing it.
- Add the date. Label the container or bag with the date and contents.
- Freeze. Place the container or bag in the coldest part of your freezer.
I Recommend Freezing Single Servings
My favorite way to freeze sour cream uses the same method I use to freeze buttermilk. Instead of freezing a larger amount of sour cream, I instead spoon it into a silicone ice cube tray. Once the sour cream is solid, simply pop it out of the tray and transfer the cubes to an airtight, freezer-safe Ziploc bag. Make sure you add the date everything was frozen onto the outside of the bag.
How Long Will Sour Cream Last in the Freezer?
You can successfully store sour cream in the freezer for up to 2 months.
How do I know if it has gone bad?
There are a few ways to know if your frozen sour cream is no longer good:
- Ice crystals. If it is covered in ice crystals the texture will not recover enough for you to use it.
- Smell. It will smell bad after you have thawed it. In that case, throw it away.
- Signs of spoilage. If there are signs of mold or other spoilage, likewise toss it.
Thawing Sour Cream
To thaw frozen sour cream, transfer it to the refrigerator and let it thaw for several hours or overnight. You can also place the container in a bowl of cold water to speed up the thawing process. Do not try and microwave the frozen sour cream.
Once thawed, stir the sour cream well to help smooth out any lumps or graininess. It’s best to use the thawed sour cream as soon as possible, as the texture may continue to change the longer it is stored in the refrigerator.
Ways to Use Sour Cream That Has Been Frozen
Since the texture of sour cream will change after it has thawed you typically want to change the way you use it. For example, I don’t recommend using thawed sour cream as a topping for tacos. But here are some good ways to use sour cream that has been frozen and then thawed:
- Adding creaminess to soups just before they are served.
- In baking recipes that call for sour cream or yogurt.
Overall, freezing sour cream is a convenient way to store it and can help you avoid waste. Just be aware that the texture may change slightly upon thawing, and use the thawed sour cream as soon as possible for the best results.
Baking Recipes That Use Sour Cream
If you are looking for some recipes that can be made with thawed sour cream, here are a few of my favorites:
