Sour cream is a favorite topping for chili, soups or burritos. It makes casseroles creamy and rich. This adds spice to mashed potatoes. But sometimes you find out you have a whole container and it’s going to reach its expiration date before you can use it. You might be tempted to freeze it so as not to waste it, but is it a good idea to freeze sour cream?

Is sour cream safe to freeze?

Sour cream is safe to freeze, but it won’t taste or feel the same once it’s thawed.

What happens when you freeze sour cream?

Texture: First, freezing changes the texture of sour cream. “Sour cream contains a relatively high amount of moisture, which causes ice crystals to form when frozen,” Galer said.

Yes, you can try to wrap it and wrap it very carefully, but the freezing process can still cause big changes in texture and consistency due to these ice crystals. It won’t be as easy to spread and won’t have that gorgeous creamy texture we crave.

“The creamy texture of sour cream is a loose matrix of milk proteins and fats that trap water in that matrix. The ice crystals that form disrupt this matrix and result in a very grainy and sometimes runny texture, often with moisture or free water,” Galer said.

Taste: Freezing also changes the flavor of sour cream. You may need to adjust how you use sour cream after thawing because time in the freezer impacts the flavor of the food. You may not want to use it anywhere that requires a dollop of fresh sour cream on top, such as on a bowl of chili or to top a baked potato. But it could still be used as an ingredient in cooking or baking. Add it to this dip or pound cake recipeand it will do a great job. Additionally, thawed sour cream, even with a modified texture, can be added to soups and stews for a creamy flavor.

How to freeze sour cream

1. To freeze sour cream, place it in an airtight container and put it in the freezer.
2. You can also divide it into smaller portions in a silicone ice cube tray, freeze, then transfer the cubes to zip-top freezer bags.

How to defrost sour cream

To thaw sour cream, simply transfer the frozen container to the refrigerator up to 24 hours before you need it. Sour cream separates and becomes grainy when thawed, so whisk it well or put it in the blender before using it in your recipe.

With a hot stovetop recipe like soup or stew, you don’t even need to thaw the sour cream. Simply add the cubes or block of sour cream in the appropriate amount. Then stir the pan as it melts.

How long does thawed sour cream last?

Sour cream has a fairly long shelf life in the refrigerator, so one way to avoid the choice of whether to freeze it or not is to just use it before having to freeze or throw it away.

“Sour cream keeps well in the refrigerator for one to three weeks. If sour cream is frozen for any reason, it is best to use it within 24 hours of thawing,” Galer said.

Can you refreeze after defrosting?

We do not recommend refreezing if you don’t use it all. The quality of the sour cream would continue to deteriorate, so it is best to start with a fresh container.

The bottom line is that if you have extra sour cream and are worried about it going to waste, you can safely freeze it. But be prepared for the taste and texture to change, so you’ll need to adjust the types of recipes you use this frozen sour cream in.