Can You Freeze Sour Cream? Sure you can freeze sour cream! But I would read these simple pointers before freezing it.
Sour Cream
Sour Cream is a version of cream which is fermented with lactic acid bacteria to make it thick and creamier. Originating in Eastern Europe, Sour cream migrated to the US. Now it is quite a common food item in the US. It is well known for its use in both sweet and savory dishes.
Have you ever wondered about the secret ingredient behind the rich but light, creamy and fluffy consistency in dishes? Well, in most cases the answer you will get is sour cream. It is considered a fundamental ingredient in Mexican dishes.
Sour cream is used as a garnish or topping for soups, and stews, as well as Mexican favorites like nachos and burritos. Sour cream dips go amazingly; starting from junks like potato chips to nutrients enriched fruit and vegetable platters. It is a necessity in baked goods, like cookies, cakes, scones, and ice creams. It is also found in salad dressings.
Sour Cream is high in fat and calories. So, it is taken in small servings. But finding it relatively low in carbs many include it in their keto diet. Sour cream can help the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins and some varieties harbor probiotics to improve digestion and immune health.
Meanwhile, skim milk and additives such as food starch and gums are made of fat-free sour cream to maintain a creamy consistency. The low-fat content of sour cream reduces the calorie count by around 60 percent relative to average. However, depending on your portion of sour cream intake, it may have slightly more carbs.
Sour Cream: How it is made
Sour cream starts its life as coffee cream, the layer of butterfat that rises to the highest of not-yet-homogenized cow milk. This butterfat floats approximately 12 hours later the cow is milked. Originally, dairy farmers would let the fresh cream sour on its own, allowing present acids and bacteria to furnish its signature thick viscosity and piquant flavor.
The recipe for sour cream is somewhat similar to buttermilk which is also widely known as yogurt. The difference between homemade sour cream and store-bought sour cream is that the homemade one is thinner though it has the same flavor. Now let’s jump into the recipe!
- Take 1 cup of whipping cream,¼ cup of milk, and about 1 teaspoon of white vinegar or lemon juice in a jar and close it with the lid.
- Shake the jar well and keep the mixture aside for 24 hours.
- The mixture will turn into sour cream.
- Give it a good stir for a thicker consistency.
- Make sure to refrigerate the sour cream for a few hours if you do not use it right away.
- If your sour cream turns out too thin, you must strain the unwanted water. Then add some flour or cornstarch to it and stir it well. Don’t worry about the flavor. It is going to stay the same.
Can you freeze Sour Cream?
Now can you freeze sour cream? The short answer is, yes! You totally can freeze sour cream. However, unlike cream cheese, the consistency of sour cream changes. Make sure not to use it for dips or garnishes if you notice a difference in its consistency and aroma.
Sour cream stays fresh for 1-3 weeks of opening it. Check the sour cream if it has any discoloration or unpleasant smell before use, it shows the signs of spoilage; hence it indicates that it is not usable.
However, sour cream stays fresh for up to months if stored properly or if it is unopened. Frozen sour cream is easy to use by storing or restoring and you take a step ahead to make the mouthwatering dishes by freezing it. Frozen sour cream can be used to make mashed potatoes, soup, cakes, or pies.
Is it okay to freeze Sour Cream?
It is fairly okay to freeze sour cream but you shouldn’t buy sour creams to store it. Freeze the sour cream only when you have the leftovers of any dish. It is better to use refrigerated sour cream in cooked or baked dishes.
Freezing Sour Cream
Sour Cream should be refrigerated-be it opened or unopened. For opened sour cream, stir the sour cream and portion it to a few airtight containers according to your use. Dividing sour cream at the time of freezing is similar to the method of freezing ground beef. Label them with a date for later use and freeze them. You are done!
If your sour cream is unopened then it is even easier. Just keep the packaged sour cream in the freezer. Thaw the defrosted sour cream before use. But you can directly use the frozen sour cream in soup or stews, casseroles or muffins, by making small cubes of it. It will enhance the moisture and texture of the food.
Thawing Sour Cream
Thaw your defrosted sour cream in the refrigerator rather than at normal room temperature. Defrosting it at room temperature might spoil and rot the sour cream. It may take 6-8 hours. The sour cream stays good for 2-3 days once thawed. This is because, after thawing, it begins to develop bacteria.
Bottom Line
Sour cream is widely known for its flavor and texture worldwide. It can be easily prepared at home but you may store it by freezing.
Freezing the cream makes the texture grainy and so it is used in cooking. Unlike cream cheese, you cannot store it for your favorite dish for long. The authentic sour cream is high in fat.
But now light sour cream and fat-free sour cream are also produced. However, sour cream is frequently used to add richness and tanginess to baked goods, such as cakes, scones, and even pastry.
We hope our guide helped you get a better idea of freezing sour cream.
