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Sour Cream Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to sour cream
Sour cream is a versatile ingredient whether you like to add a big dollop on top of a baked potato or stir it into stroganoff. While sour cream is a staple in many kitchens, many people are not clear about what it really is. Sour cream is what you get when lactic acid-producing bacteria is added to regular cream. The bacteria increases the amount of lactose, which causes the cream to thicken. This process, called souring, is how sour cream gets its name.
About sour cream
Sour cream comes in several varieties.
- Regular. According to the FDA, the milk fat content for sour cream must not be less than 18%, making it a high-fat-content product.
- Light. Light sour cream starts with half and half, which contains 10.5% milk fat, or it starts with low-fat milk.
- Fat-Free. Fat-free sour cream is made from fat-free milk. It also contains additives such as food starch to stabilize it and ensure it has a creamy consistency. Depending on the ingredients, fat-free sour cream is not always the best choice for cooking or baking. The added stabilizers can change how a dish cooks.
- Dairy-free. You can get dairy-free sour cream made from soy milk.
Find your favorite sour cream brand using the Instacart app and add it to your next batch of muffins, or use it to add flavor to your next hearty stew. You can get same-day delivery when you order through Instacart!
Sour cream is versatile and works with both sweet and savory dishes. It can be cooked, but it's also delicious right out of the container. If you open the lid and see some separation, just pour off the liquid or stir it back in.
Some of the many ways you can use sour cream include:
- As a topping for any kind of potato or a stir-in for mashed potatoes to give them a creamy texture and some extra flavor.
- As a base for dips and sauces.
- As a topping for chili or stews.
- In many baked goods.
In most cases, when cooking with sour cream, you add it at the end of the cooking time. It's important to remember that it can curdle when added directly to hot liquid. To avoid this, temper the sour cream by adding just a little of the hot liquid to the sour cream and stir it in. Then add the warmed sour cream to the rest of the pan.
Fold sour cream into the dough for pirogi or other dough-based baked goods. The fat content keeps the dough tender and flaky when you fry it. You can make extra-flaky buttermilk biscuits by adding sour cream to the dough. It also enhances the flavor and adds body.
Use it to make a creamy sauce for meat. It's a common ingredient in Swedish meatballs and beef stroganoff.
If you've ever made a mayonnaise-based homemade salad dressing for potato or pasta salad, bump up the flavor by switching half of the mayo with sour cream. It adds a tanginess and makes the dressing extra creamy. Sour cream on its own is perfect as the base for a dip for chips or vegetables. Just add herbs, aromatics, and spices. If you like a kick, horseradish pairs very well with sour cream.
As with yogurt and buttermilk, the combination of acidity and tanginess you get with sour cream will cut the sweetness of a dessert or baked goods while adding to the richness. Use it to lighten up cheesecake, or add it to chocolate cupcakes to keep them from getting overly sweet. Sour cream makes baked goods more tender and moist, or you can add it to the frosting on top of your baked goods to create contrasting flavors.
How long does sour cream last?
Sour cream needs to stay in the refrigerator, whether it's open or not. Make sure to note the sell-by date on the container and eat it within 3 weeks of that date. You can keep an open container in the fridge until after the sell-by date; just make sure to look for signs of spoilage. If you open the top and the sour cream doesn't smell right or see mold or growth on the surface, throw away the product.
You can freeze sour cream in the container for up to 6 months. Freezing it will change the texture, so it's best used for cooking or baking after it's thawed. When you're ready to thaw it, just put it in the fridge for a couple of days before adding it to dishes.
Sour Cream Near Me
Buy your favorite Sour Cream online with Instacart. Order Sour Cream from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about sour cream
Sour cream is very similar to the French Creme Fraiche, but it has less fat, a thinner texture, and more acidity. The lower fat content in sour cream makes it less versatile for cooking. You can boil Creme Fraiche, and it won't curdle.
Use Instacart to buy sour cream and add it to your favorite dishes. An Instacart shopper will fill your order and deliver it to your door!