A buy one, get one free promo has convinced you to buy two containers of sour cream. Little do you realize that these are only capable of lasting for a week or so. You were hoping that the amount of sour cream that you bought would be able to stretch out until the end of the month, so would it be possible to save them in the freezer?
It is disappointing knowing that you can only have your groceries fresh for a short amount of time, so being able to freeze them would not only save you money from purchasing more, but also help you save time you might spend going on extra trips to the store.
Sour cream can be frozen, although it will change its texture after being thawed. Many don’t like the texture of sour cream after it has thawed. However, the extra time that it can last in your freezer is worth the extra steps necessary for maintaining the frozen sour cream.
Can You Freeze Sour Cream?
Sour cream can be preserved by means of freezing, but before doing this, one should be aware of the change in texture from smooth to clump.
The texture of thawed sour cream is similar to cottage cheese, with solids from the dairy separated from the liquid instead of blended together.
This strange consistency is what causes many to dislike freezing sour cream, but considering the six months that it can last while frozen, it’s easy to fix.
Just because the sour cream comes out of the freezer that way doesn’t mean that it can’t be made smooth again. It can return to a very close original texture after being mixed and microwaved.
The freezing process is easy, as the sour cream can just be placed inside a freezer while still in its original container and thawed in a refrigerator.
Aside from this, there are no other ways to preserve sour cream. Being a dairy product and a quick to perish one, it would not be recommended to leave it out of a refrigerator.
How to Freeze Sour Cream?
Even if sour cream is quick to spoil, there aren’t many bells and whistles to go through in order to preserve it. There’s no need to worry about any special equipment or pre-cooking, either. There are ways to restore the original texture, but this will really only be needed for recipes where sour cream is part of a dip.
- First of all, you should open the container of sour cream even if you don’t plan on using it yet. Whisk the inside to distribute the moisture and prevent any pooling liquids.
- After making sure that the liquid in the sour cream is evened, the container can be placed directly in the freezer.
- Once you need to use it, thaw the sour cream out by keeping in cool in the fridge.
- To make it return to its original texture, you can add approximately a teaspoon of cornstarch or use the mix and microwave method.
How To Use Up Extra/Leftover Sour Cream?
Sour cream is a delicious and versatile dairy product that can be used in a variety of ways. But what do you do when you have extra sour cream? Here are five delicious ways to use up your leftover sour cream:
- Make a dip – Sour cream makes a great base for dips. Just add in some spices and herbs, and you’ll have a tasty dip that everyone will love.
- Use it as a salad dressing – Sour cream can also be used as a salad dressing. Just whisk it together with some vinegar and oil, and you’ve got a delicious dressing for your greens.
- Bake it into a cake – Sour cream can be used to make a delicious cake. Just add it to your favorite cake recipe, and you’ll have a moist and flavorful cake that everyone will love.
- Use it as a topping – Sour cream makes a great topping for tacos, enchiladas, or even just plain old chips. Just add a dollop to your favorite dish, and you’ll have a tasty treat that everyone will love.
- Make sour cream pancakes – To make sour cream pancakes, you will need 1 cup of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 egg, 1 cup of sour cream, and 1/2 cup of milk. Combine the flour and baking powder in a bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the egg, sour cream, and milk. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Cook the pancakes on a griddle or in a frying pan over medium heat. This recipe makes about 10 pancakes.
So there you have it – five delicious ways to use up your leftover sour cream. Next time you find yourself with extra sour cream, try one of these recipes and enjoy!
Recipes
Deviled eggs are hand foods that can be set out during dinner parties. They are basically hard-boiled eggs with sour cream whipped with the yolk.
Sour cream and chive potatoes are a lot like baked potatoes but have a creamier twist to it.
Ranch dressing is a classic salad topper, but can also serve as a slightly tart but creamy dip.
Wrap Up
Yes, you can freeze sour cream. Your freezer-safe container needs to be tightly sealed and completely full before freezing so that no air will get in while it’s being frozen or while it’s defrosting. If you leave any empty space before closing the lid, ice crystals will form on your sour cream and dry it up while ruining its taste.
Freezing also preserves texture which means your frozen sour cream will taste just as good after being thawed out again. However, I recommend eating your frozen sour cream within a month of putting it in there because the longer you keep it in your freezer, the more likely it is to spoil. Now that you know how to freeze your sour cream, please share your experience with me in the comment below.
