Sour cream is an incredibly versatile dairy product you must have in your kitchen. It can be used as condiments all by itself or as another ingredient in plenty of dishes. A dollop of sour is a great add-on for soups, side dishes, main courses, and even desserts.
Most of the time, when a recipe calls for this ingredient, you might find yourself with leftover sour cream. You can always store it in the fridge for a couple of days, but it’s better to use it all as soon as possible. Keep reading to learn more about what you can do with leftover sour cream!
Using up leftover sour cream
The simplest way to use leftover sour cream is to add it to your dishes. You can use this ingredient as a whole milk substitute for a creamy texture in savory recipes such as soups, casseroles, and sauces. Sour cream is also a great garnish for dishes like these air-fried potato skins or this easy potato salad.
And, believe it or not, sour cream can also be used for desserts, from delicious cakes to silky frostings. Trust me, there are countless things you can do with this dairy product. If you want more ideas, keep reading to discover 21 recipes that use leftover sour cream! And if you don’t have sour cream leftover, but one of the many sour cream substitutes, this post will also spark some creativity!
Sour cream vs Crème fraîche
You’ve probably heard of sour cream and might have even used it a couple of times. But you might still be wondering what exactly sour cream is and how it differs from other dairy products like half and half or Crème fraîche. Well, keep reading to learn the answer to these questions!
Sour cream
Also known as soured cream, this dairy product is obtained by fermenting regular cream with lactic acid bacteria. The resulting bacterial culture gives this product a sour taste and thick and creamy texture.
It can be found in most stores, but you can also make sour cream at home. This ingredient is typically used in dishes such as soups, sauces, and even some desserts to make them creamier.
Crème fraîche
Crème fraîche is a type of sour cream that contains only 10 to 45 percent of butterfat. Like sour cream, this dairy product is soured with a bacterial culture.
The main differences between sour cream and cream Fraiche are their thickness and flavor. Crème fraîche tends to be thicker because of its higher fat content. It is also less tangy than sour cream.
How long does sour cream last?
According to the USDA, sour cream can be stored in the fridge for about one to three weeks once it’s been opened. Unlike other dairy products, like whole milk or half and half, sour cream doesn’t do well in the freezer. Sour cream tends to deteriorate (separate) in the freezer at a fast rate than whole milk. And, even if whisk sour cream after thawing, the texture will be changed and the thawed version will be much thinner.
So if you have some leftover sour cream, it’s better to use it all as soon as possible. Fortunately, there are countless dishes you can make with this dairy product!
21 Recipes with Sour Cream
Sour cream has numerous uses in the kitchen. It can give a creamy texture to sauces and soups. It can also be used as a condiment or a dip for snacks like potato chips or nachos.
In addition to this, it can be used to make many desserts. If you’re looking for some inspiration, below you’ll find 21 recipes that use leftover sour cream!
Creamy Tomato Soup
This classic tomato soup is perfect for colder weather. Adding a tub of sour cream will give your soup a creamier texture and a more in-depth flavor. This dish is the perfect side dish, but it can also be enjoyed by itself with some crispy tortilla chips.
Chicken Noodle Soup
There’s nothing that warms me up during the colder months than this delicious chicken noodle soup. This recipe calls for 10 ingredients, including shredded chicken, bacon bits, and egg noodles. In addition to this, you’ll want to serve it with a dollop of sour cream and some more bacon on top.
Creamy Pasta Salad
This sour cream and cheddar pasta salad is the perfect on-the-go lunch. Plus, it can be made in under 30 minutes. And it uses ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, like sour cream, pasta, mayonnaise, and cheddar cheese.
Potato Salad
This easy potato salad with sour cream is the perfect side dish to go along with any meal. It calls for only seven ingredients: potatoes, classic or vegan sour cream, milk, fresh chives, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. And the best part is that you can make it in under 30 minutes!
Creamy Mushroom Pasta
If you’re looking for a simple but delicious dish for dinner, this Olive Garden copycat mushroom pasta is perfect for you. Although it’s similar to making an Alfredo sauce, this pasta has a richer, umami flavor thanks to the mushrooms. For a creamier sauce, substitute the milk for equal parts of sour cream!
Zucchini With Sour Cream Sauce
This sour-cream-covered zucchini is a great way of incorporating more veggies into your diet! And what better way to eat zucchini than in a delicious sauce made with butter, sour cream, and some fresh dill?
Sour Cream Chicken
Making dinner has never been easier than with this sour cream chicken bake. This cheesy casserole goes perfectly with rice or pasta, and a cup of your favorite white wine!
Beef Stroganoff
This simple beef stroganoff is another simple but delicious dish for dinner. It’s best served with some roasted vegetables and a cup of red wine!
Poblano Chicken Enchiladas
These creamy chicken enchiladas are one of my go-to recipes when I’m having guests for dinner. I suggest substituting the milk in the recipe for equal parts of sour cream for a creamier and tastier poblano chili sauce.
Chicken Crescent Casserole
If you want something comforting for dinner but don’t have much time for cooking, try this easy chicken crescent casserole. You can assemble everything together in less than 20 minutes and then only wait for it to bake in the oven. For a creamier casserole, I suggest substituting the milk with a cup of sour cream.
Sour Cream Quiche
This three-ingredient quiche makes for a delicious but healthy meal. To make it taste even better, you can add some veggies, like these air-fried green beans, or some fresh herbs to the batter.
Blueberry Pancakes
You can also use that leftover sour cream in your fridge to make some delicious pancakes with blueberries. No one will know the secret ingredient for these fluffy pancakes is sour cream! You can also use frozen blueberries.
Old-Fashioned Pound Cake
This yummy sour cream pound cake is perfect for breakfast or dessert after dinner. It’s best served with a simple lemon glaze and fresh fruit on top.
Coffee Cake
This sour cream coffee cake is so delicious you’ll want to have it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! What I love the most about this cake is its combination of different textures. It’s got a soft and moist cake, a crunchy cinnamon streusel layer in the middle, and a syrupy glaze on top!
Coconut Sheet Pan Cake
This simple sour cream coconut cake is made with only five ingredients, plus a delicious cream cheese frosting on top. It’s the perfect dessert to wow your family and friends!
Southern Biscuits
These southern sour cream biscuits are great for accompanying any meal, but you can also have them on their own. With only seven ingredients, making bread at home has never been easier!
Old-Fashioned Doughnuts
These sour cream doughnuts are to die for! Trust me, their light and cakey texture make them better than any store-bought doughnut you’ve ever tasted. And they’re so simple to make that even an inexperienced baker can easily make them at home.
Simple Sour Cream Cheesecake
This sour cream cheesecake is the perfect mix between sweet and tangy. It’s the perfect blank canvas for you to decorate. It’ll taste great with a homemade mixed berry jam or a decadent chocolate sauce on top.
Chili Cheese Fries
Sour cream makes a great condiment for snacks such as these cheesy chlli fries. Don’t be afraid because this recipe calls for too many ingredients! The essential items you’ll need are onions, sour cream, avocado, cheese, ground beef, and, of course, some crispy waffle fries.
Easy Tzatziki Sauce
Sour cream is a great condiment by itself, but it can be also used to make dressings like this Greek tzatziki sauce. The best part is that it can be made in less than 10 minutes. And with only five ingredients: lemon juice, mayonnaise, sour cream, cucumbers, and dill.
Lawson’s Chip Dip
Another great use of leftover sour cream is to make this three-ingredient dip. You can whip it up in less than five minutes and enjoy it with your favorite veggies or chips!
As you can see, there are many ways to use that leftover sour cream sitting in your fridge. You can use this dairy product to make anything from simple dips to complex desserts. These 21 recipes are only some ideas for your inspiration, but with enough creativity, you can find more uses for sour cream!
More Tips For Using Up Extra Ingredients
Recipes to Use Up Extra Marshmallows
Fried Spaghetti with Leftover Pasta
Leftover Shredded Chicken Recipes
Leftover Chili Recipes
Recipes to Use Up Leftover Shrimp
Recipes To Use Up Leftover Taco Meat
Recipes for Using Up Extra Eggs
Recipes to Use Up Extra Half and Half
