Best Sour Cream Substitutes

Sour cream adds undeniable richness and tang to countless dishes. But what if you're out, avoiding dairy, or watching calories? We've got you covered! There are fantastic sour cream substitutes for every situation. We will help you find the perfect swap – whether you're baking, making dips, or topping off your favorite tacos.

= Dairy-free substitute

= Vegan substitute

Jump to:

• What is Sour Cream?
• Tips for Choosing the Right Substitute
• Best All-Around Sour Cream Substitute
• Homemade Sour Cream
• Dairy-Based Sour Cream Substitutes
• 1. Light Sour Cream
• 2. Greek Yogurt
• 3. Plain Yogurt
• 4. Buttermilk
• 5. Crème Fraîche
• Non-Dairy Based Sour Cream Substitutes
• 6. Plant-Based (Dairy-Free) Yogurt
• 7. Coconut Cream
• 8. Coconut Milk
• 9. Cashew Sour Cream
• Low-Calorie Sour Cream Substitutes
• 10. Plain Low-Fat Yogurt
• 11. Cottage Cheese
• Sour Cream Substitutes For Tacos
• Sour Cream Substitutes For Cakes
• Sour Cream Substitutes For Mashed Potatoes
• Sour Cream Substitutes In Cheesecake
• Sour Cream Substitutes For Stroganoff
• FAQ
• Choosing the Right Substitution
• Related
• Recipes To Try

What is Sour Cream?

Sour cream is a thick, creamy dairy product made by fermenting regular cream with lactic acid bacteria.

It has a tangy, slightly sour taste and a smooth texture, making it a versatile ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes.

Tips for Choosing the Right Substitute

1. Match the substitute to your dish.
   • Baking - Look for substitutes that add richness and a slight tang, like Greek yogurt or cashew cream.
   • Savory Dishes (Dips, Toppings): Focus on creamy textures and subtle flavors. Plain yogurt, crème fraîche, or vegan sour cream are great options.
2. Prioritize flavor and texture.
   • Flavor - Consider how the substitute's own flavor will interact with the recipe. For example, lemon juice adds tang but might clash in a dessert.
   • Texture - Think about the desired consistency. Do you want a thick, dollop-able cream, or something pourable? Choose your substitute accordingly.

Best All-Around Sour Cream Substitute

Plain Greek yogurt is the best all-around substitute for sour cream. It has a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture, making it an excellent choice for most recipes. Regular plain yogurt can also be used as a substitute, but it may have a thinner consistency compared to Greek yogurt.

Plus, Greek yogurt is lower in calories and fat, and higher in protein compared to sour cream.

1 cup sour cream = 1 cup plain Greek yogurt

• 1 cup sour cream = 492 calories, 5.6 g protein, 48 g fat, 6.4 g sugar
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt = 220 calories, 20 g protein, 11 g fat, 9 g sugar

Homemade Sour Cream

You can easily make your own sour cream at home using just heavy cream and lemon juice or white vinegar.

1. Combine 1 cup heavy cream with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar in a jar.
2. Cover the jar with a lid and shake well.
3. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for 24 hours, or until it thickens and develops a tangy flavor.
4. Store homemade sour cream in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Depending on the cream you use, homemade sour cream has more calories and fat than store-bought sour cream.

1 cup store-bought sour cream = 1 cup homemade sour cream

• 1 cup sour cream = 492 calories, 5.6 g protein, 48 g fat, 6.4 g sugar
• 1 cup homemade sour cream = 800 calories, 5 g protein, 80 g fat, 8 g sugar

Dairy-Based Sour Cream Substitutes

1. Light Sour Cream

Light sour cream is a lower-fat alternative to regular sour cream, making it a great option for those looking to reduce their calorie and fat intake.

Light sour cream contains about 50% less fat and calories compared to regular sour cream.

1 cup regular sour cream = 1 cup light sour cream

• 1 cup regular sour cream = 492 calories, 5.6 g protein, 48 g fat, 6.4 g sugar
• 1 cup light sour cream = 240 calories, 7 g protein, 20 g fat, 6 g sugar

2. Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is a versatile and healthier alternative to sour cream in many recipes. It has a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture, making it an excellent substitute in dips, sauces, baked goods, and more.

Greek yogurt is lower in calories and fat, and higher in protein compared to sour cream.

1 cup sour cream = 1 cup plain Greek yogurt

• 1 cup sour cream = 492 calories, 5.6 g protein, 48 g fat, 6.4 g sugar
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt = 220 calories, 20 g protein, 11 g fat, 9 g sugar

3. Plain Yogurt

Regular plain yogurt can be used as a substitute for sour cream in most recipes. While it has a slightly thinner consistency compared to Greek yogurt, it still provides a tangy flavor and creamy texture.

Regular yogurt is lower in calories and fat compared to sour cream, making it a healthier alternative.

1 cup sour cream = 1 cup plain regular yogurt

• 1 cup sour cream = 492 calories, 5.6 g protein, 48 g fat, 6.4 g sugar
• 1 cup plain regular yogurt = 149 calories, 8.5 g protein, 7.9 g fat, 11.4 g sugar

4. Buttermilk

Buttermilk has a tangy flavor similar to sour cream, but it is thinner in consistency. It works well in baked goods and salad dressings. Buttermilk is lower in calories and fat compared to sour cream.

1 cup sour cream = 1 cup buttermilk

• 1 cup sour cream = 492 calories, 5.6 g protein, 48 g fat, 6.4 g sugar
• 1 cup buttermilk = 152 calories, 8 g protein, 8 g fat, 12 g sugar

5. Crème Fraîche

Crème fraîche is a French dairy product with a rich, creamy texture and milder flavor than sour cream. It's perfect for soups, sauces, and desserts. Crème fraîche has a similar nutritional profile to sour cream.

1 cup sour cream = 1 cup crème fraîche

• 1 cup sour cream = 492 calories, 5.6 g protein, 48 g fat, 6.4 g sugar
• 1 cup crème fraîche = 480 calories, 3 g protein, 51 g fat, 2.4 g sugar

Non-Dairy Based Sour Cream Substitutes

6. Plant-Based (Dairy-Free) Yogurt

Plant-based yogurts made from soy, coconut, almond, or cashew can be used as a dairy-free substitute for sour cream.

These yogurts provide a creamy texture and tangy flavor similar to sour cream, making them suitable for those with lactose intolerance or following a vegan diet.

Plant-based yogurts are lactose-free and vegan-friendly, and often lower in fat and calories compared to sour cream.

1 cup sour cream = 1 cup plant-based yogurt

• 1 cup sour cream = 492 calories, 5.6 g protein, 48 g fat, 6.4 g sugar
• 1 cup soy yogurt = 150 calories, 6 g protein, 4 g fat, 12 g sugar
• 1 cup coconut yogurt = 160 calories, 1 g protein, 8.6 g fat, 18 g sugar
• 1 cup almond yogurt = 150 calories, 5 g protein, 11 g fat, 9 g sugar
• 1 cup cashew yogurt = 160 calories, 4 g protein, 10 g fat, 12 g sugar

7. Coconut Cream

Coconut cream is a thick, creamy alternative to sour cream that works well in both sweet and savory dishes. It has a subtle coconut flavor. Coconut cream is dairy-free and vegan-friendly.

1 cup sour cream = 1 cup coconut cream

• 1 cup sour cream = 492 calories, 5.6 g protein, 48 g fat, 6.4 g sugar
• 1 cup coconut cream = 792 calories, 8 g protein, 88 g fat, 8 g sugar

8. Coconut Milk

Coconut milk can be used as a non-dairy substitute for sour cream in various recipes. To achieve a thicker consistency, refrigerate a can of full-fat coconut milk overnight, then scoop out the solidified top layer and whip it until smooth.

Coconut milk is dairy-free and vegan-friendly, making it suitable for those with lactose intolerance or following a plant-based diet.

1 cup sour cream = 1 cup whipped coconut milk

• 1 cup sour cream = 492 calories, 5.6 g protein, 48 g fat, 6.4 g sugar
• 1 cup whipped coconut milk = 792 calories, 8 g protein, 88 g fat, 8 g sugar

9. Cashew Sour Cream

Blend soaked cashews with lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and water for a tangy, creamy vegan sour cream substitute. Cashew sour cream is dairy-free, vegan-friendly, and lower in fat compared to sour cream.

1 cup sour cream = 1 cup cashew sour cream

• 1 cup sour cream = 492 calories, 5.6 g protein, 48 g fat, 6.4 g sugar
• 1 cup cashew sour cream (homemade) = 355 calories, 11 g protein, 30 g fat, 10 g sugar

Low-Calorie Sour Cream Substitutes

10. Plain Low-Fat Yogurt

Plain low-fat yogurt has a similar tangy flavor to sour cream but with fewer calories and less fat. Low-fat yogurt is lower in calories and fat compared to sour cream.

1 cup sour cream = 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt

• 1 cup sour cream = 492 calories, 5.6 g protein, 48 g fat, 6.4 g sugar
• 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt = 154 calories, 13 g protein, 3.8 g fat, 17 g sugar

11. Cottage Cheese

Blend cottage cheese until smooth for a low-calorie, high-protein sour cream substitute. Add a squeeze of lemon juice for tanginess. Cottage cheese is lower in calories and fat, and higher in protein compared to sour cream.

1 cup sour cream = 1 cup blended cottage cheese

• 1 cup sour cream = 492 calories, 5.6 g protein, 48 g fat, 6.4 g sugar
• 1 cup cottage cheese (blended) = 220 calories, 26 g protein, 10 g fat, 8 g sugar

Sour Cream Substitutes For Tacos

• Guacamole - Mash ripe avocados with lime juice, diced onion, and cilantro for a creamy, flavorful topping that complements tacos perfectly.
  • 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup guacamole
• Salsa - Choose a smooth, blended salsa or a chunky pico de gallo for a zesty, low-fat alternative to sour cream on tacos.
  • 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup salsa
• Plain Greek yogurt - Greek yogurt has a similar tangy flavor and creamy consistency to sour cream, making it an excellent substitute for tacos. Try our high-protein sour cream – a simple hack for healthier tacos.
  • 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• Cashew cream - Blend soaked cashews with water, lime juice, and salt until smooth for a vegan, dairy-free sour cream alternative that works well on tacos.
  • 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup cashew cream

Sour Cream Substitutes For Cakes

• Milk and lemon juice - Combine 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based) with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar, let it sit for 5-10 minutes to thicken, then use in place of sour cream in cakes.
  • 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based) + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar
• Silken tofu - Blend silken tofu until smooth and use it as a vegan sour cream substitute in cakes. It adds moisture and a slightly tangy flavor.
  • 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup blended silken tofu

Sour Cream Substitutes For Mashed Potatoes

• Cream cheese - Soften cream cheese and mix it into mashed potatoes for a creamy, tangy flavor similar to sour cream.
  • 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup softened cream cheese
• Buttermilk - Use buttermilk in place of sour cream for a lower-fat, tangy alternative in mashed potatoes.
  • 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup buttermilk
• Cashew sour cream - Blend soaked cashews, water, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and salt until smooth for a tangy, dairy-free alternative to sour cream in mashed potatoes.
  • 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup vegan cashew sour cream

Sour Cream Substitutes In Cheesecake

• Greek yogurt - Use full-fat Greek yogurt as a substitute for sour cream in cheesecake for a protein-rich, lower-fat option.
  • 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
• Ricotta cheese - Use smooth, full-fat ricotta cheese in place of sour cream for a creamy, slightly sweet flavor in cheesecake.
  • 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup full-fat ricotta cheese

Sour Cream Substitutes For Stroganoff

• Heavy cream and lemon juice - Combine 1 cup heavy cream (dairy-based or soy based creams both work well) with 1 tablespoon lemon juice for a tangy, creamy sour cream substitute in stroganoff.
  • 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup heavy cream + 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Crème fraîche - Use crème fraîche as a luxurious, milder-tasting alternative to sour cream in stroganoff.
  • 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup crème fraîche
• Coconut sour cream -Refrigerate a can of full-fat coconut milk overnight. Scoop out the solidified top layer and whip it with lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and salt for a vegan sour cream alternative in stroganoff.
  • 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup vegan coconut sour cream

FAQ

Choosing the Right Substitution

Selecting the perfect sour cream substitute depends on your recipe, dietary needs, and what flavor and texture you want. Here's a breakdown to help you choose:

• Versatile substitutes - Greek yogurt or crème fraîche work well in most dishes, offering creaminess and subtle tang.
• Recipe-specific choices - Coconut cream adds richness to curries and baked goods, while silken tofu is an excellent vegan option for dips and sauces.
• Experiment and find your favorites - The best way to discover your go-to substitutes is to try different options in various recipes.

Sour cream adds richness and tang, but don't worry if you run out or need a healthier alternative! There are amazing substitutes for every need – from Greek yogurt to coconut cream. You'll still get that creamy, satisfying flavor you crave.

Whatever you decide, let us know how your swap turned out in the comments below!

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