Is this going to be your first time you’ve frozen a dairy product? If so, you will be able to start using your new expertise to freeze the rest of your stocks as well. Did you know that most of these dairy products can be frozen, and they have the same issues when it comes to freezing?
Can you freeze sour cream? Yes, you can! So don’t hesitate to grab this opportunity to save money when that big sale comes along. There’ll be some minor differences compared to fresh sour cream, but these are only small and it will certainly do!
The texture of frozen sour cream changes after it’s frozen, but that does not mean you can’t use it. You’ll be surprised to learn about the different uses of sour cream after you’ve frozen it. So let’s start freezing! After all, time matters, doesn’t it?
More…
Can You Freeze Sour Cream?
What Is Sour Cream?
Sour cream is a dairy product that is made by fermenting a regular cream with certain types of lactic acid bacteria. This bacteria is responsible for thickening the cream’s texture and making it taste sour. This culture can be done either naturally or on purpose.
Did you know that you can make your own sour cream by using this process? It is essential that you learn the composition of the dairy you’re using. It’s obviously a plus if you know how to make it. Here’s a video that shows you the simple steps to do this.
Can You Freeze Sour Cream?
As I’ve mentioned earlier, there are a few issues when you freeze dairy products. For a start, the texture changes after thawing and you will no longer be able to use it like fresh cream.
However, there’s no need to worry as you’ll find it useful in so many things. I’ve frozen many other dairy products, like almond milk, goat cheese, blue cheese and cream cheese. It’s not as complicated as you might imagine.
Yes, freezing sour cream is easy, so let’s do it!
Freezing Sour Cream
Let’s make this work! Freezing dairy products works well if it’s done the right away. Try to remember all the important steps as we follow the process.
Firstly, you will need to whip the sour cream using either your spatula or hand whisk. This successfully gets rid of all the moistness equally throughout the container. You can either use the original container when storing your sour cream or transfer it to freezer zipper bags or airtight jars instead.
Storing it in a tightly sealed container is important as it prevents bacteria from getting in and contaminating your sour cream. If you are using freezer bags, make sure that you squeeze the air out completely before sealing it.
Place your sour cream in the freezer and don’t forget to label it with the current date before you put it in the freezer. This will help you to track down the length of time your sour cream has been frozen. Always use a permanent marker.
- The maximum shelf life for frozen sour cream is 6 months.
Here are some reminders for you when you’re freezing sour cream
- Use it early to maximize the good taste, as it deteriorates the longer it stays in the freezer.
- Store it in small portions that are enough for one person – it’ll be easier when you take it out and use the cream.
- Be sure the sour cream’s fresh when you freeze it – check it doesn’t look yellow, smell off or have mold on it.
- Opened sour cream usually lasts for a maximum of three weeks – if it’s more than that, please don’t freeze it.
Important: Commercial sour cream is made by following certain safety standards, whereas the homemade kind can be exposed to other types of bacteria. These can multiply quickly if you’re not careful, so freeze your sour cream as quickly as you can.
Thawing Your Sour Cream
Thawing is a short and simple process. Just take the portion of sour cream that you need from the freezer and transfer to the fridge. Let it thaw for a few hours. Once this is done, take it out and use it.
If you notice that the sour cream looks a little bit watery or separated, you can whip it gently to retain its consistency. If this is not enough, add a teaspoon of cornstarch and whip it again as this will bring back its creamy texture. Then use it as you wish.
Some helpful tips after thawing
- Never put your sour cream back in the freezer after thawing.
- You can use frozen sour cream directly when making a soup and it’ll thaw quick enough.
- The texture is generally different compared to fresh dairy products, so it’s best to use your frozen sour cream in recipes that call for it.
Well done, you have just learned how to freeze your own sour cream! Try to keep in mind my helpful reminders as these will help you so to get it right every time. Now try making your own, and I can tell you, it tastes a lot better than the commercial ones.
If you think this article has been helpful to you today, we’d be very glad if you could share it with others. Just hit like and share!
