A method for producing a surface-treated silver-containing powder comprises vacuum freeze drying a dispersion liquid, which is obtained by dispersing silver or silver compound particles (a) in a solvent together with a surfactant (b) of an alkylamine type or an alkylamine salt type, or a phosphate type having a phosphorus content of 0.5 to 10% by mass so that the surfactant (b) is adsorbed in the surface of the silver or silver compound particles (a), thereby producing a silver-containing powder (c) whose surface is treated with the surfactant (b). Moreover, a silver paste is produced by dispersing the surface-treated silver-containing powder (c) in a solvent, or in a solvent with a resin.