Sour cream does not keep very long in the refrigerator and is often sold in large containers, which leads to it spoiling and being thrown away.
How can you preserve sour cream for a long time and prevent it from spoiling? It turns out that there is a simple and effective way - freeze sour cream.
Why can you freeze sour cream?
Sour cream is a product obtained by adding lactic acid bacteria to cream.
These bacteria convert milk sugar (lactose) into lactic acid, which gives sour cream its sour taste and thick consistency. Sour cream contains about 20% fat and about 80% water.
Like most dairy products, sour cream can be frozen. Freezing sour cream does not affect its safety or shelf life.
Frozen sour cream can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months without losing quality. Freezing also does not change the taste of sour cream, so it retains its sour milk aroma.
What happens to sour cream when frozen
While freezing sour cream does not compromise its safety or taste, it does affect its texture. Once frozen sour cream is thawed, it becomes flaky and grainy, rather than smooth and creamy like fresh sour cream.
This happens because the fat and water in sour cream separate when it freezes and thaws, meaning the fat separates from the liquid part of the cream. This leads to the formation of lumps that can be unpleasant to the touch.
How to Properly Freeze and Defrost Sour Cream
If you have extra sour cream that you don’t want to throw away, you can freeze it for later use. However, it is important to freeze only fresh sour cream that is still fit for consumption. To freeze sour cream, follow these steps.
1. Whisk the sour cream to distribute the moisture evenly throughout the entire volume.
2. Store sour cream in its original packaging or transfer it to a plastic or glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Some people recommend using silicone ice cube trays to freeze sour cream. Once frozen, you can transfer the cubes to another container for long-term storage. These portioned cubes are convenient to add to soups, smoothies, and other dishes.
3. Write the date on the container and place it in the freezer. The freezer temperature should be around -18°C to keep frozen food safe.
4. To defrost sour cream, simply place the desired amount of sour cream in the refrigerator and let it defrost for a few hours. You will notice that the texture will be a little watery and flaky. Simply whisk it to achieve a smooth consistency. You can also add a teaspoon of starch and whisk it again to achieve the desired consistency.
How to Use Frozen Sour Cream
Frozen sour cream is not suitable for all types of cooking. Due to the change in texture, we do not recommend using frozen sour cream for making sauces, dips, or as a garnish for dishes.
However, frozen sour cream works well in recipes that involve baking or cooking. For example, you can use frozen sour cream to make:
• muffins, cakes, pies and other desserts;
• pancakes, fritters, cheesecakes and other breakfasts;
• soups, stews, casseroles and other main dishes;
• marinades, dressings, mousses and other additives.
Conclusion
Sour cream can be frozen and stored for a long time without losing safety or taste. However, freezing sour cream changes its texture, making it stratified and grainy.
Therefore, we do not recommend using frozen sour cream to make sauces, dips or as a side dish for dishes.
But you can use frozen sour cream in baked goods, soups, and other dishes where texture is not as important.
