Can you freeze sour cream? Only for cooking
You can, but it separates and turns watery, so the USDA does not recommend freezing it. Thawed sour cream works in soups, sauces and bakes, not as a topping.
By Zain Nazeer, founder and editor
Photo by Jana Ohajdova on Unsplash
You can freeze sour cream and it stays safe, but the USDA FoodKeeper does not recommend it, because it separates when it thaws. The water and fat split, and the result is thin and grainy. Whisking helps, but it will not look like fresh sour cream on top of chili or a baked potato. Thawed sour cream is fine stirred into soups, sauces, casseroles and baking.
How long does sour cream last?
- In the fridge: until the date on the tub. Keep it at 40°F (4°C) or colder with the lid on.
- Once opened: use a clean spoon every time, and throw it out if it smells sour in a bad way, turns yellow, or shows mould.
- Sour cream dips: about 2 weeks in the fridge; do not freeze them.
How do you freeze sour cream?
- Freeze it in its sealed tub, or spoon it into small containers or an ice cube tray for portions.
- Leave a little space at the top for it to expand.
- Label it with the date and use it soon, because the texture keeps getting worse.
Full-fat sour cream separates less than light or fat-free versions.
How do you thaw and use it?
Thaw it overnight in the fridge, then whisk hard to bring it back together. Stir it into hot dishes off the heat, or add it to baking. Do not thaw it on the counter. See how to thaw meal prep safely.
Can you freeze dishes made with sour cream?
Yes. Soups, casseroles, enchiladas and baked goods with sour cream mixed in freeze much better than sour cream on its own, because the other ingredients hold it together. Freeze them for 2 to 3 months, like other cooked leftovers, and stir sauces well while reheating.
What should you do instead for meal prep?
Freeze the dish and add fresh sour cream when you serve it. Chili, burrito bowls and soups freeze well without toppings: see how long chili lasts, beef burrito bowls and big-batch turkey chili. Greek yogurt is a good stand-in for sour cream on top and costs less; see Greek yogurt in meal prep.
Which dairy foods freeze better?
Hard cheese, milk and yogurt freeze better than sour cream; see can you freeze cheese, can you freeze yogurt and foods that do not freeze well.
Sources
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