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Sour Cream

Sour cream is a dairy product formed through the fermentation of cream using lactic acid-producing bacteria. It is a versatile and tangy ingredient widely used in various culinary applications, from savory dishes to desserts. With a creamy, thick consistency, sour cream adds richness, flavor, and moisture to many recipes, making it a popular addition to a home cook's pantry. Typically used in Mexican, Eastern European, and American cuisine, sour cream enhances flavor profiles in dishes like dips, baked goods, sauces, and soups. Besides its culinary uses, it can serve as a garnish, providing a cooling contrast to spicy or hot foods.
#2
IN CREAMS & CREAMERS
198
CAL / 100G
$0.11
AVG / OZ
sour cream
18%
CARBS
73%
FAT
9%
PROTEIN
Sour Cream FAQ
Sour cream is a highly versatile ingredient, but it can pose a few challenges to some cooks. When cooking with sour cream, common issues can range from curdling in high heat to the added fat content it brings to a dish. People often fail to fully utilize sour cream's potential by only using it as a condiment, when in reality it can offer so much more in terms of flavor and texture to a variety of dishes. Incorporating it in your baking can result in exceptionally moist cakes and pastries, while using it in soup or sauces gives a satisfyingly creamy consistency. For best results, sour cream should be added at the end of cooking time for hot dishes, to avoid possible curdling. Sour cream can be a healthier alternative to mayonnaise or butter in many recipes. It can also be used to tenderize meat. By marinating meats in sour cream, you can not only enhance flavor, but also achieve a more tender result. A little-known trick when handling sour cream is in the matter of curdling. If your dish needs a little sour cream and it’s unavoidable to put it in a hot dish, you can temper the sour cream first by whisking some of the hot liquid into the sour cream before adding it to your dish. This warms the sour cream up a bit, preventing it from curdling when mixed with the rest of the ingredients.
Can I replace yogurt with sour cream in a recipe?
Can sour cream be used in baking?
How can I prevent sour cream from curdling in my soup?
Is sour cream healthy to eat?
What can I use as a substitute for sour cream?
Can I use sour cream to marinate meat?
Can sour cream be used in a salad dressing?
What's the difference between crème fraîche and sour cream?
Does sour cream make cakes more moist?
Should sour cream be room temperature before baking?
Expiration & Storage Tips
When does sour cream expire?
Unopened, a tub of sour cream should last about two weeks past the 'sell by' or 'best before' date printed on the packaging. Once opened, sour cream should be used within 7 to 10 days for the best quality, although it may look and taste fine for up to three weeks if stored properly in the fridge. If frozen, sour cream can last up to six months, but be advised that the texture may change as it thaws, making it suitable only for cooked dishes.
How do you tell if sour cream is bad?
There are several indications that your sour cream has turned bad. First, give it a good sniff. If it smells off or somewhat like a yeast, it’s likely spoiled. Secondly, check for any visible discoloration or mold. If there is any mold or green or yellow spots on the surface, it's best to throw away the entire container. A change in texture, like becoming unusually watery, clumpy, or lumpy, is another bad sign. Finally, if it tastes even slightly sourer than usual, it's time to discard it.
Tips for storing sour cream to extend shelf life
• Always store sour cream in the refrigerator, ideally at temperatures between 35-40°F. • Keep the sour cream in its original container, sealed tight. • Use a clean spoon every time to prevent introducing bacteria into the tub. • Don't let sour cream sit out longer than two hours at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth. • If you want to freeze sour cream, consider storing it in small, portion-sized containers to make thawing easier. Thaw frozen sour cream in the fridge for a day before use. • After freezing, the texture of sour cream might change to watery so it is best used in cooked dishes like casseroles or soups, not as a topping or in dips.
EXPIRES WITHIN
6 - 9
WEEKS
Equivalents
Substitutes
Health Info
Macros
0g
CARBS
2g
FAT
0g
PROTEIN
Allowed on these diets
LOW FAT
VEGETARIAN
KETO
MEDITERRANEAN
LOW CARB
LACTOSE FREE
GLUTEN FREE
Contains these allergens
MILK
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