Can You Freeze Crème Fraiche?

Crème Fraiche is a vital ingredient used for making exquisite dishes in the kitchen. Regardless of its benefits, it is essential to know how to preserve it well for future use. By preservation, we mean freezing. This article enlightens you on what you need to know about freezing creme fraiche. So, can you freeze Crème Fraiche? Let’s find out.

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Yes, you can freeze creme fraiche but not indefinitely due to its fat content. Typically, frozen crèmes last up to four months, provided that it is appropriately stored before freezing and handled well when defrosting. You can freeze it by placing it in a bag, an ice tray, or any airtight container. However, some tips can make the crème last longer. Do read on!

What is Crème Fraiche?

Crème Fraiche is a French word for “Fresh cream.” It is a thick cream that contains high-fat content and is made from heavy cream, buttermilk, or yogurt. Although its thickness is obtained by culturing bacteria, crème Fraiche remains one of the best creams used in the kitchen due to its versatility. Whether you want to spoon it over fresh fruits or garnish it with your dishes, crème Fraiche is always there to make your meal an exquisite one. It is more expensive than sour cream and can easily be found in food stores or at the dairy aisle in some supermarkets.

Is it Safe to Freeze Crème Fraiche?

Yes, it is relatively safe to freeze crème Fraiche once you are not ready to use it. Besides, freezing the crème enables it to last longer and use another time.

How to Freeze your Crème Fraiche?

Freezing is one of the best ways of preserving your crème Fraiche. You can do this effectively through an ice tray or a bag.

Using an Ice Tray

You can freeze your crème Fraiche through the use of an ice tray. This method is preferable for scooping out the portion you need and takes only a few steps. Here are the steps.

Scoop the crème into an herb freezing or ice tray
Ensure you divide the cream into portions so that you can scoop the quantity you need without defrosting everything
Put the tray into the freezer for about 3-4 hours.
Take out the frozen cream and secure it in a freezer airtight container or a freezer bag to keep it intact.
Label the bag or container with the date you are just preserving it
Put the container or bag into the freezer and store for months. With this, the crème can last for about four months at a steady zero degree Fahrenheit.

If you want to use only bags to store your crème, you can consider the following instructions.

Get some heavy-duty or thick freezer bags to prevent leakages or allow foul odor to come in contact with your crème Fraiche.
Put your crème fraiche into the bag. You are only allowed to spoon the amount you will use later to make it last longer.
Squeeze out the air in the bag and deal tightly
Put the bags in the freezer.

Tips for Freezing Crème Fraiche

Now that you have gotten the steps. Here are some tips that can increase the shelf life of your crème Fraiche.

Freeze your unused crème as soon as possible. It is better to freeze sooner than later as defrosted crème could get spoiled if unused for a more extended period.
It is better to freeze branded crème Fraiche as a result of its preservability. Although this doesn’t necessarily mean preservatives, it means some branded crème can last longer when frozen.
Do not freeze a sauce that contains crème Fraiche. It affects the texture of the sauce negatively and may not make it taste good. Hence, you can freeze your sauce without putting the crème Fraiche in it.

Does Crème Fraiche Freeze Well?

Crème Fraiche freezes well. However, its longevity is usually determined by whether you purchase it or make it at home. Purchased crème Fraiche usually freezes more than homemade due to how you make it.

Besides, the fat content also determines how the crème freezes. The higher the fat in the creme fraiche, the worse the freezing could be. Freezing high fatty crème could make it separate or turn runny once the ice melts.

Also, the way you handle the crème before freezing is another crucial factor. If you wait too long before you freeze the crème, the quality will deteriorate when defrosting it. In addition, the crème is affected by the period with which it stays outside of the freezer. That is, if you keep your frozen crème Fraiche out of the freezer often or keep it outside for an extended period, the process could have an impact on how the product freezes. However, if you place it back in the freezer early, the quality may remain the same nor slightly change.

How Long Does Frozen Crème Fraiche Last?

After opening your creme fraiche container, it could last for about 3-4 days before spoilage. However, some brands opine that it could last for about 15 days if appropriately preserved in the fridge. In other words, the brand of the crème influences its shelf life. Hence, you may need to check with the label on the crème container to know about its shelf life. Nonetheless, many crème Fraiche lasts for about four months if frozen properly.

How Can I Tell If My Crème Fraiche Has Gone Bad?

Your crème Fraiche has gone bad if it gives off an odd smell (usually a foul one) or some molds have developed in it. Unless this happens, you can still use your creme. Separation is not a cause for alarm here, as all you need to do is to whisk it to return to its original state.

How Can I Defrost my Crème Fraiche?

Defrosting crème Fraiche isn’t a difficult task at all. All you need to do is transfer the frozen crème from the freezer into the fridge to soften the ice content. You can leave overnight to do this. Then, allow the crème to thaw. As it is thawing, scoop the portion into a mixing bowl. Then, whisk it vigorously for a few minutes to make it creamy once again. If you don’t whisk it properly, you will be left with a clumsy mess that won’t look good and affect the food you use with it.

Can I Refreeze the Crème Fraiche?

The answer is no. Once you freeze your crème once, refreezing it won’t make it look good again. It will reduce the quality of your creme adversely and create a negative impact when added to any food.

How Do You Make Crème Fraiche?

To make crème Fraiche, you first need to place a jar of heavy cream in a dark dry place for about 24 hours until it thickens. Then, put some yogurt cultures into this mixture and allow them to ferment together overnight at room temperature. Afterward, refrigerate your mixture until needed before using as creme Fraiche and pouring off any excess liquid content if too runny. It’s really easy and only takes a few minutes. We’ve also found this helpful video for you.

Final Thoughts

Crème Fraiche is a delicious and versatile ingredient. It can be frozen and defrosted for future use if you follow the steps outlined in this article. I recommend trying to make your own, as homemade is always best. We hope you found this article helpful, and please let us know if you have any comments.

If you enjoyed this article, please have a look at our other helpful posts like how to reheat Nachos, how to correctly freeze Vinegar and Almond Milk.