15 Best Sour Cream Substitutes You Should Try!

With a rich milky flavor with an acidic tang, sour cream is hard to substitute. Today, I discovered some alternatives for you that will be useful if you are in a bind and require a sour cream substitute. 

Some of the best sour cream substitutes are Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, coconut milk, kefir, and cream cheese.

Sour cream is slightly tart and thick and is made by fermenting cream with a lactic acid culture. It is a staple ingredient in pantries to make dips, thicken sauces, create creamy frosting, and garnish baked potatoes and soups.

It also has health benefits. Sour cream has probiotics that help improve the immunity of your body. 

Now, let’s see the substitutes in detail to understand what we can use in our recipes when we’re out of this creamy ingredient.

15 Best Sour Cream Substitutes

Here is a list of the best sour cream substitutes for you that have a similar taste, texture, and use. Keep reading!

1. Greek Yogurt

If there is Greek yogurt in your pantry, then you needn’t worry. You have an excellent substitute for sour cream. It provides a tangy flavor with a thick and velvety texture. You can use it in savory dishes like pasta, soup, etc.

It is a healthy alternative as it supports gut and heart health. It also contains proteins and iodine. Use the same quantity of Greek yogurt as a substitute for sour cream.

2. Plain Yogurt

You can use plain yogurt to substitute sour cream if you are out of Greek yogurt. It has an acidic and tangy taste which can work as a sour cream substitute.

It is not as thick as sour cream, so strain it to remove some liquid before using it. From a health perspective, it is high in protein, calcium, vitamins, and probiotics, which can enhance gut health. You can use an equal amount of sour cream.

3. Tofu

Tofu is one of the best vegan substitutes for sour cream. Tofu is made from fresh soya and is sold in blocks ranging from soft to extra firm and 

It is best for those who follow dairy-free or vegan diets to replace sour cream in wraps, pizza, and salads. Tofu has minerals and vitamins like calcium, manganese, iron, and vitamin A. It has isoflavone, which is good for health. Use it in a 1:1 substitution.

4. Buttermilk

Buttermilk is a good option if you need sour cream in dressing and dips. It is fermented milk with an acidic and creamy consistency.

Buttermilk is an excellent source of minerals and vitamins. It even has an abundance of calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. You can use ¾ cup buttermilk for every 1 cup of sour cream called for in a recipe.

Note: Buttermilk isn’t a great option if you’re looking to make baked potatoes.

5. Mayonnaise

If you have mayonnaise in your pantry, it can be an excellent substitute for sour cream. 

Mayonnaise is a thick, creamy sauce or dressing which includes oil, egg yolks, lemon juice or vinegar, and seasonings. You can use mayonnaise in baked goods like cakes and muffins, as it adds tons of moisture as sour cream.

Mayonnaise has health benefits like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and monounsaturated fats, which can help reduce cholesterol levels and promote heart health. Use it in a 1:1 substitution ratio.

6. Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is one of the dairy-free substitutes for sour cream. You can use canned or full-fat coconut milk as it is thicker than coconut milk.

Mix it with fresh lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to give it a sour tang. You can use coconut milk as an alternative to sour cream in dips and dressings.

Coconut provides vitamins and nutrients, including vitamin C and iron. It contains antioxidants and aids in weight loss. You can use it in the same amount as a substitute for sour cream.

7. Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is a healthier alternative to sour cream made from cow milk. It has a milder flavor and a soft, white, and creamy texture. You can choose it in Greek salad, pasta, omelet, pizza, and stuffed zucchini.

It is a healthy cheese as it is high in nutrients and may help with weight loss. Cottage cheese works excellently as a 1:1 substitute for sour cream.

8. Cream Cheese

Cream cheese is an excellent substitute for sour cream. It has a salty and sour taste with a soft texture. You can use cream cheese in dips, thicken sauces or create the creamy frosting.

From a health perspective, it contains protein and fat, vitamins A and B2, and antioxidants. Use cream cheese in a 1:1 substitution ratio to substitute sour cream.

9. Kefir

Kefir is a substitute you can try if you are making pancakes, batters, dips, or dressings. Kefir is made from cow or goat’s milk and is a fermented dairy product.

It has a thin and watery consistency, so don’t use it in dishes that need a thicker consistency. Kefir is a powerful probiotic and has vitamins and nutrients like proteins, calcium, phosphorus, riboflavin, magnesium, and vitamin B12.

Note: Use unflavored, unsweetened kefir to achieve a flavor close to sour cream. 

10. Crème Fraîche

Crème fraîche is a specialty of France made from heavy cream. It has a tangy and slightly nutty flavor with a rich and creamy texture which is super close in consistency to sour cream.

Crème fraîche works well in savory dishes like thick soups, stews, pizzas, sauces, and cheesecakes. Measure Crème fraîche in an even 1:1 substitution for sour cream. 

11. Mexican Crema

Mexican crema is very similar to sour cream with a creamy consistency. It is richer and thicker with a tangy flavor. You can still use it in tacos or baked goods, even though it is a bit thinner and less sour than sour cream.

From a health perspective, it has some healthy nutrients, such as calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin A. Use an equal substitution in your dishes for sour cream.

12. Cashews Cream

Soaked cashews blended with lemon juice, vinegar, and sea salt can make a great vegan substitute for sour cream. As we all know, cashews are buttery, sweet nuts that are relatively high in fat. You can use it in soups and side dishes. 

Cashews are a plant protein that is rich in fiber and heart-healthy. It is a good source of copper, magnesium, and manganese. You can use it as a substitute for sour cream in a 1:1 ratio. 

13. Heavy Whipping Cream

Heavy whipping cream makes a great sour cream substitute, and that too with minimal effort. Add one tablespoon of lemon juice to one cup of heavy whipping cream as an alternative to sour cream.

Add it to your stand mixer and whip it to your desired consistency. You can use it in baking and add moisture without thinning your batter like sour cream. Use it as an alternative to sour cream in a 1:1 ratio.

14. Coconut Cream

Coconut cream is one of the non-dairy and vegan substitutes for sour cream. You can make it by mixing four cups of coconut meat with a cup of water. 

It is thick in consistency and has a rich and creamy taste with a strong coconut taste. You can use it in smoothies, dips, and sauces.

It is excellent for health and does not contain cholesterol and no trans fats. It has potassium, Iron, and magnesium. To make it the desired consistency of sour cream, replace it in a 1:1 ratio.

15. Milk Powder

Powdered milk is one of the suitable alternatives for sour cream. It is instant milk; you must mix it with hot water to get a consistency like milk. 

Add two tablespoons of butter to the mixture to reach the preferred creamy consistency similar to sour cream.

You can use it in baked goods such as cakes, muffins, etc. It is excellent for health as it has vitamins A, C, and D, with low fats and cholesterol. You can use an equal amount of powdered milk mixture instead of sour cream.

Short Recap Of The Best Sour Cream Substitutes 

Here is a quick recap of the sour cream substitutes 

Best Sour Cream Substitutes In Terms of Flavor and Texture-

• Crème Fraîche
• Mexican Crema
•  Buttermilk
• Mayonnaise

Best Sour Cream Substitutes That Are Easily Available –

• Greek Yogurt
• Cream Cheese
• Mayonnaise

Best Dairy-Based Sour Cream Substitutes –

• Greek Yogurt
• Crème Fraîche
• Crema Mexicana

Best Non-Dairy Sour Cream Substitutes –

• Cashew Cream
• Mayonnaise

Best Sour Cream Substitutes In Baking –

• Heavy whipped cream
• Crème Fraîche
• Cream Cheese

Substitutes for Sour Cream Should Be Considered The Least –

• Milk Powder

How to Use Sour Cream Substitute In A Recipe

15 Best Sour Cream Substitutes You Should Try!

Some of the best sour cream substitutes are Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, coconut milk, kefir, and cream cheese.

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Ingredients

  

• Greek Yogurt
• Plain Yogurt
• Tofu
• Buttermilk
• Mayonnaise
• Coconut Milk
• Cream Cheese
• Cottage Cheese
• Kefir
• Crème Fraîche
• Mexican Crema
• Cashews Cream
• Heavy Whipping Cream
• Coconut Cream
• Milk Powder

Instructions

 

• Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
• Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
• Use the substitute in the required amount and make the dish according to the recipe.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Conclusion

As we near the end of this article, I sincerely hope you now have an answer to your question. These are all excellent sour cream alternatives.

However, we both know that practically nothing can match the sour cream’s creamy and tangy flavor. 

Till then, Happy cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)