Sour Cream Substitute (2024)

Sometimes you may need asour cream substitutedue to food allergies and intolerances, because you've run out at home, or simply because you don't like the taste. In that case, you've come to the right place because I've put together theultimate guideon sour cream alternatives, including where and how to use them. I've even included aDIY sour cream recipeto make your own at home!

What is sour cream?

Sour cream is a dairy product that combines regular cream with lactic acid-producing bacteria. The bacteria, which may be added naturally or manually, aid in the thickening and souring of the cream.

Sour cream is a staple in many Eastern and Central European cuisines, often used to make dips and frostings, garnish potatoes and soups, thicken sauces, and add moisture to baked goods. In the U.K., it is known assoured cream. There are typically three types of sour cream: Regular fat sour cream, reduced-fat sour cream (or fat-free sour cream), and cooking sour cream.

What is sour cream used for?

While sour cream is often used as a topping or garnish on potatoes, soups, nachos, and Mexican dishes such as tacos and enchiladas, you can also use it as a base for fruit and vegetable platters and chip dips. It is ready to eat right out of the container and on its own without cooking. Sour cream is also common in baked goods such as cookies, cakes, muffins, biscuits, and scones.

In cold dishes, sour cream adds creaminess and stability and serves as a binding agent to hold other ingredients together. It is also a suitable replacement for mayonnaise. In hot dishes, sour cream helps cool spicy dishes and adds flavor and contrast. It also adds more texture to cooked dishes and more moisture to baked dishes.

What is sour cream made out of?

Historically, sour cream was made by leaving raw, unpasteurized milk at room temperature for 1-2 days until sour cream formed on the top. Nowadays, sour cream is made by adding lactic acid bacteria to a pasteurized cream with a minimum of 18% milk fat. The combination of the two helps to sour and thicken the cream.

What tastes like sour cream?

Sour cream has a creamy texture and tangy, acidic taste. Other dairy-based creams that have a similar taste to sour cream include greek yogurt, regular yogurt, and Crème fraîche.

Sour cream vs. Creme fraiche

Sour cream is often compared to the French ingredientcrème fraîchebecause of its many similarities. They are both dairy products made with a combination of pasteurized milk and bacteria and have a tangy flavor. Sour cream is sometimes used as a creme fraiche substitute. However, a few differences set crème fraîche apart from sour cream: Its heat resistance, texture, and overall taste.

Crème fraîche has more fat than sour cream, giving it a thicker texture and more heat-resistant in dishes that would otherwise cause sour cream to curdle. And while its overall flavor is tangy like sour cream, it tends to be slightly less acidic.

Reasons you may need to substitute sour cream

Other than the fact that you may have run out of your sour cream stash at home, there are several other reasons you may need to replace sour cream. You may not like the tangy, acidic flavor or have a dairy allergy or lactose intolerance. Or, you need to substitute it because you are on a low-fat diet or don't consume dairy or animal products.

No matter what your reason is for needing to find a replacement for sour cream, the good news is that there are several options, both dairy, and non-dairy.

Considerations when replacing sour cream

Before you choose a replacement for sour cream, consider why you need it and how you will use it in your recipe. You must also consider the fat content and texture required to get the proper results and whether you need it to withstand heat for cooking or baking. Lastly, you will want to consider the taste of the replacement and how it will affect the taste of your recipe.

What is the best sour cream substitute?

There are several dairy and non-dairy sour cream replacement options if regular sour cream is not an option. Below I dive into each option, including what recipes they are best for and how to use them.

Dairy-Based Substitutes

1. Cottage Cheese
2. Crème Fraîche
3. Full-Fat Greek Yogurt
4. Plain Yogurt
5. Mayonnaise
6. Crema Mexicana
7. Cream Cheese
8. Mascarpone Cheese
9. Buttermilk
10. Heavy Whipping Cream
11. Kefir
12. Regular Milk

Non-Dairy Based Substitutes

1. Coconut Cream
2. Cashew Cream
3. Vegan Yogurt
4. Vegan Cream Cheese
5. Silken Tofu

Dairy-Based Substitutes

1. Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is a cheese curd product with a soft, creamy texture and mild flavor. It contains much fewer calories and fat and a higher amount of protein, making it an ideal substitute if you are looking for a healthier, diet-friendly alternative.

When combined with milk and lemon juice, it has a similar consistency and flavor as sour cream and can serve as a replacement in any recipe.

How to use it:

Combine 1 cup of small curd cottage cheese with 2 teaspoon lemon juice and ¼ cup of milk. Mix well and substitute for sour cream in a 1:1 ratio in any recipe.

2. Crème Fraîche

Crème fraîche translates to "fresh cream" in French and is commonly used in European dishes. It has a very similar taste and texture to sour cream. However, it has a much milder acidic taste than regular sour cream, making it an ideal substitute for those who do not like the taste of sour cream.

You can use crème fraîche as a sour cream substitute in any recipe. However, its rich, creamy texture makes it ideal for creams and dips.

How to use it:

Use crème fraîche as an equal 1:1 substitute for sour cream in any recipe.

3. Greek Yogurt

Full-fat Greek yogurt is a highly versatile option for a sour cream substitute. It has a creamy, silky consistency similar to sour cream as well as a tangy flavor. While full-fat greek yogurt is the best replacement for regular sour cream, you can also find low-fat or fat-free versions for recipes that call for low-fat sour cream.

Greek yogurt is high in protein and packed with other health benefits, making it an ideal sour cream alternative for those seeking a healthier option. It is an excellent replacement in any recipe that calls for sour cream but is perfect as a sour cream substitute in cheesecake, baked goods, and toppings or dips.

How to use it:

Use greek yogurt in any recipe as a sour cream substitute in a 1:1 ratio.

4. Plain Yogurt

Although less thick than greek yogurt, plain yogurt is another excellent alternative to sour cream. However, it is important to use plain, unsweetened, and unflavored yogurt. You can find plain yogurt in regular-fat and low-fat versions, although low-fat yogurt does not work for all recipes.

Plain yogurt is an excellent option for baking or cooking. The consistency of full-fat yogurt is also ideal for creamy dips and toppings, whereas low-fat and light yogurt is best for dressings.

How to use it:

Use plain, unsweetened, and unflavored yogurt as a substitute in a 1:1 ratio for baked goods, dips, toppings, and dressings.

5. Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is a staple ingredient in the kitchen and likely one you already have in your refrigerator. It is also an excellent sour cream substitute due to its similar tangy flavor, consistency, and moisture level.

Mayonnaise is best as a substitute in recipes such as dips, sauces, and spreads. It also adds moisture to baked goods such as cakes and muffins. While you can use mayonnaise as a topping, it may not be the best sour cream substitute for baked potatoes or Mexican dishes.

How to use it:

Use mayonnaise as a sour cream replacement in a 1:1 ratio. To balance the unique mayonnaise flavor, you can mix it with a small amount of yogurt or buttermilk. You can also add a splash of apple cider vinegar to add flavor and make a thinner cream.

6. Crema Mexicana

While mayonnaise may not be the best sour cream substitute for tacos or baked potatoes, Crema Mexicana fits the bill. Although not as acidic as sour cream, it is the perfect cooling addition to spicy foods.

However, it has a thinner consistency than sour cream, so it is best for making dressings and adding creaminess and thickness to sauces. I would not recommend it for baked goods recipes or dips as it contains insufficient thickness.

How to use it:

Use Crema Mexicana in a 1:1 ratio for sour cream.

7. Cream Cheese

Cream cheese, on its own, has a much thicker texture and lacks the acidic flavor that sour cream does. However, when combined with milk and lemon juice, it creates a taste and consistency that makes an excellent sour cream substitute.

It does not work well as an alternative to sour cream in all recipes but is ideal in forgiving cooked and baked recipes such as soups and casseroles. It is also an excellent substitute for sour cream in cakes. I do not recommend it for non-cooked recipes such as toppings or salad dressings.

How to use it:

Bring the cream cheese to room temperature. Add ¾ cup cream cheese to a bowl with 1-2 teaspoons of milk, buttermilk, or water. Add a splash of lemon juice to add tanginess to the cream, and mix well. Use the cream cheese mixture as a sour cream substitute in a 1:1 ratio.

8. Mascarpone Cheese

Mascarpone cheeseis another dairy-based Italian cheese that, like cream cheese, has been naturally soured by lactic acid bacteria or by adding acid. It has a delicious buttery, slightly sweet flavor, and a smooth, spreadable consistency. However, it is somewhat thicker than sour cream and sweeter than "sour." Mascarpone cheese is a good alternative for those who do not particularly care for the acidic taste of sour cream.

Mascaporone is ideal as a sour cream substitute in baking recipes. It is a delicious, sweet, sour cream substitute for cake. However, it is also a suitable substitute to thicken and add flavor to soups, rice, and pasta dishes.

How to use it:

Use mascarpone cheese as a substitute for sour cream in baking dishes in a 1:1 ratio. Mix in a splash of milk and lemon juice to achieve consistency and flavor more like sour cream.

9. Buttermilk

Buttermilk has a tangy flavor profile similar to sour cream, although it has a much thinner consistency. However, it is a better option than regular milk, which is even thinner.

Buttermilk is best as a sour cream replacement in recipes that require moisture, especially in baked goods such as cakes or bread. You can also combine it with mayonnaise to make a base for a dip.

How to use it:

Since buttermilk is much thinner than sour cream, use buttermilk in a ½:1 ratio as a sour cream substitute so if the recipe calls for 1 cup of sour cream, use only ½ cup.

10. Heavy Whipping Cream

Heavy whipping creamhas a thick texture and fat content similar to sour cream. On its own, it does not have the same acidic flavor as sour cream. However, combined with citric acid, it creates a wonderful sour cream substitute.

Heavy whipping cream combined with citric acid is ideal in sweet baked goods and savory recipes. However, when completely unflavored, it is best in soups and sauces that call for sour cream as a thickener.

How to use it:

Use heavy whipping cream as a sour cream substitute in a ½:1 ratio in sweet and savory dishes so only ½ cup heavy cream to replace 1 cup sour cream. Add a splash of lemon juice to create a tangy flavor similar to sour cream.

11. Kefir

Kefir is a fermented dairy product with a high-moisture content and an acidic, tangy flavor similar to sour cream. However, it is much thinner than sour cream and best used only in small quantities. It is ideal as a sour cream alternative in baking.

How to use it:

Use kefir as a sour cream substitute in a ½:1 ratio since kefir is much thinner.

12. Regular Milk

Although not an ideal substitute due to the lack of flavor and thick texture, you can use regular milk as a substitute for sour cream when in a pinch.

Regular milk, as a replacement, is best in baked goods such as cakes, cookies, and bread.

How to use it:

Use regular milk as a sour cream substitute in a ½:1 ratio so only use half of the milk vs sour cream. To boost the flavor profile, add a splash of lemon juice and let sit for 10 minutes.

Non-Dairy Substitutes

1. Coconut Cream

Coconut cream is one of the best go-tos for a vegan-friendly and dairy-free sour cream substitute. It has a similar fat content and consistency to sour cream, making it an excellent moisture-adding addition to baked goods and cold dishes.

The downside of coconut cream is that it has a notable coconut flavor and is not ideal if your recipe calls for an acidic sour cream flavor (i.e., dips and toppings). However, the coconut flavor is less prominent when mixed with other intense flavors.

How to use it:

Add a splash of lemon juice or vinegar for flavor and use it in a 1:1 ratio for sour cream.

2. Cashew Cream

Another vegan-friendly and nutrient-packed substitute for sour cream is cashew cream. It has a much milder flavor profile than coconut cream and is an excellent replacement for any recipe that calls for sour cream.

Combined with a splash of lemon juice, it creates a flavor profile similar to sour cream, making it excellent for dips and toppings. However, cashew cream is not a suitable sour cream substitute if you have a nut allergy.

How to use it:

Use cashew cream as a 1:1 replacement for sour cream in any recipe. Add a splash of lemon juice to give it a tangy flavor similar to sour cream.

3. Vegan Yogurt

If you've run out of your vegan sour cream at home but have some vegan yogurt on hand, you're in luck. However, depending on how the yogurt is made, it could change your recipe's taste. The more plain and natural the yogurt is, the better.

Vegan yogurt is an ideal sour cream substitute for baked goods. However, I do not recommend using it to replace dips or toppings because of its thinner texture.

How to use it:

Use vegan yogurt in a 1:1 ratio as a sour cream substitute in baked goods.

4. Vegan Cream Cheese

Just as you can use regular cream cheese as a sour cream substitute, you can also use vegan cream cheese. However, instead of mixing it with dairy milk to thin the consistency, use plant-based milk.

How to use it:

Bring the vegan cream cheese to room temperature. Add ¾ cup of vegan cream cheese to a bowl with 1-2 teaspoon of plant-based milk or water for each cup of sour cream called for in the recipe. Add a splash of lemon juice to add tanginess to the cream, and mix well. Substitute the mixture for sour cream in a 1:1 ratio.

5. Silken Tofu

Tofu is made from curdled soy milk in a similar process as cottage cheese, making it another excellent option for a sour cream replacement. Its high moisture level makes it an ideal substitute for dips and dressings that call for sour cream.

How to use it:

Combine a carton of silken tofu with a splash of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar and use it in a 1:1 ratio for sour cream.

Homemade sour cream recipe

When all else fails, you can make sour cream at home! Using three simple ingredients and utensils that you already have in your kitchen, you'll have homemade sour cream in no time:

Ingredients for homemade sour cream:

1. Heavy cream- Use a cream with 36% fat content to achieve the proper, thick consistency. It needs to be at room temperature.
2. Acid- I use lemon juice in my recipe; however, you can also use plain white vinegar.
3. Whole milk- A small amount of milk is needed to blend with the acid before adding it to the heavy cream. Whole milk is best due to its high-fat content. It needs to be at room temperature before use.

How to make homemade sour cream from scratch:

1. Add the room-temperature milk to a jar with the lemon juice and shake well.
2. Once thoroughly mixed, add the room-temperature heavy cream.
3. Cover the jar with a kitchen towel and let it rest at room temperature for 12-24 hours.
4. Place sour cream in the refrigerator in an airtight jar or container.

If the cream is not thick enough after sitting for 12 hours, you can run it through a cheesecloth. If the consistency is still too thick, you can use cornstarch to thicken it.

Best sour cream substitute for baking

Sour cream aids in baking by creating a moist, fluffy texture and adding a rich and creamy flavor to your recipes. The best substitutes for baking have similar fat and moisture content as sour cream and taste.

Besides homemade sour cream, crème Fraîche, and full-Fat Greek Yogurt are, in my view, the best options for baking. The best non-dairy sour cream substitutes in baking are coconut cream and vegan yogurt.

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