Sour cream is a staple ingredient in many recipes, but what do you do when you’re out of it and don’t want to make an extra trip to the store?
Don’t fret! There are plenty of great substitutes for sour cream that you can use to achieve the same delicious results in your favorite dishes.
This blog post will discuss the best substitutes for sour cream so you can continue cooking without a hitch!
1. Plain Yogurt
Plain yogurt is one of the best substitutes for sour cream. It has a thick and creamy texture and can be used as a base in sauces, dips, and other recipes that require sour cream.
The good news is that it is lower in fat and calories than sour cream, making it a healthier option. Plus, it adds a subtle tanginess you won’t get from any other substitute.
If you use plain yogurt as a replacement for sour cream, be sure to use full-fat Greek yogurt.
Non-Greek yogurt tends to be too thin and watery, making it difficult to use in certain recipes.
For best results, drain the yogurt for about 15 minutes in a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer before using it in your recipe. This will help it reach the desired consistency.
You can use the same amount as the recipe calls for when substituting plain yogurt for sour cream.
You can also try combining plain yogurt with a little bit of mayonnaise or butter to mimic the texture and flavor of sour cream.
2. Silken Tofu
Silken tofu is one of the best substitutes for sour cream because it has a mild flavor and silky texture and is packed with protein.
It is made from coagulated soy milk, just like regular tofu. The difference between the two types is that silken tofu has a much smoother, custard-like consistency, while regular tofu is dense.
To use silken tofu as a substitute for sour cream in recipes, drain the liquid, then blend it until smooth and creamy.
You can also add a teaspoon of lemon juice to give it a tangy flavor, similar to sour cream. Silken tofu can be used in dips, sauces, dressings, and desserts!
3. Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese, one of the best substitutes for sour cream, has a similar taste and texture. It’s also much lower in calories and fat than sour cream, making it a healthier option.
The flavor of cottage cheese can be enhanced by adding some fresh herbs or a bit of salt and pepper.
To use it as a sour cream substitute, add it to your recipe instead of the sour cream.
You may want to thin it out with non-dairy milk or water if it’s too thick. Cottage cheese can also be used in dips, sauces, and spreads in place of sour cream.
4. Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta cheese is one of the best substitutes for sour cream. It’s made from sheep’s, cow’s, or goat’s milk whey and has a light, creamy texture.
It has a slightly tangy flavor that adds a nice touch to dishes. Ricotta cheese can be used in baking recipes or as a topping for tacos and other savory dishes.
It’s also high in protein and calcium, making it a healthier alternative to sour cream.
To use ricotta cheese as a substitute for sour cream, mix it with milk until it reaches the desired consistency.
Ricotta cheese is an excellent choice for those looking for a healthy alternative to sour cream.
5. Vegan Sour Cream
If you’re looking for a dairy-free alternative to traditional sour cream, vegan sour cream is the best substitute for sour cream.
There are many brands of vegan sour cream on the market, but you can also make your own at home.
This is usually done by blending silken tofu with lemon juice and a small amount of vegetable oil to get the desired texture.
You can add vegan yogurt, cheese, or other vegan ingredients to make it thicker or thinner.
Vegan sour cream is great for topping tacos, nachos, and other Mexican dishes, baked potatoes, veggie burgers, and other foods that call for traditional sour cream.
6. Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is one of the best substitutes for sour cream, as it adds a similar creaminess and flavor to dishes.
While not as tangy as sour cream, cream cheese is a great addition to baked goods, sauces, dips, and other dishes.
If you’re looking for the best substitutes for sour cream, vegan versions of cream cheese are available. Just look at the label to make sure it is made with plant-based ingredients.
Cream cheese can be used as a one-to-one replacement in recipes that call for sour cream.
Depending on the dish, it may be necessary to adjust the amount of added liquid, as cream cheese tends to be thicker than sour cream.
Add some milk to the cream cheese until you reach the desired consistency to create a creamier texture.
7. Buttermilk
Buttermilk is one of the best substitutes for sour cream. It has a thicker texture and a slightly tangy flavor.
It’s also low in fat, making it a healthier alternative than other substitutes.
The acidity of the buttermilk will add a nice tartness to any recipe that calls for sour cream. You can use it to make dressings, creamy soups, and mashed potatoes.
To use buttermilk as a substitute for sour cream, use the same amount and mix it together with an equal part of yogurt for a creamy texture.
If the recipe calls for a cup of sour cream, use half a cup of buttermilk and half a cup of yogurt.
8. Kefir
Kefir is a fermented dairy product that makes the best substitutes for sour cream.
It’s similar in texture and flavor to Greek yogurt but has a more tart and tangy flavor. It also contains beneficial probiotic bacteria, which help with digestion.
Kefir can be used in many recipes for sour cream, including dips, dressings, sauces, and baked goods.
To make your kefir substitute for sour cream, mix one cup of plain kefir with one tablespoon of lemon juice.
This will give you a thick and creamy mixture that can easily be used as a replacement for sour cream in any recipe.
9. Crème Fraîche
Crème Fraîche is a thick, cultured cream that can be used as the best substitutes for sour cream.
It has a slightly tart flavor, similar to sour cream, and has a higher fat content than regular cream.
Crème fraîche adds richness to recipes such as mashed potatoes or for use in sauces and soups. It’s also a great topping for tacos, enchiladas, and other Mexican dishes.
To make crème fraîche at home, combine one cup of heavy cream with two tablespoons of buttermilk or yogurt.
Let the mixture sit in a warm spot for 8-24 hours until it has thickened. Stir the mixture well, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
10. Mexican Crema
Mexican Crema is a delicious and the best substitutes for sour cream. It is thinner than sour cream, with a light and creamy texture.
It is made from heavy cream, similar to crème fraîche, but with added souring agents like lime juice or vinegar.
This gives it a slightly tangy taste. Mexican Crema is an excellent addition to tacos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and other Mexican dishes.
You can also use it as a topping for soups and salads or a dip for chips and vegetables.
To make your own Mexican Crema, combine 1 cup of heavy cream with 2 tablespoons of lime juice and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk until combined and then chill for at least 2 hours before using.
11. Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is a popular condiment that can also be used as the best substitutes for sour cream.
While it won’t give you the same creamy texture, it will add a rich, tangy flavor.
You can either purchase store-bought mayonnaise or make your own by combining egg yolks, oil, lemon juice, and seasonings.
Depending on the type of dish, you may want to use light mayonnaise to avoid an overly greasy taste. Mayonnaise also works well in many baked goods, such as cakes and muffins.
12. Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is the best substitutes for sour cream if you are looking for a dairy-free alternative.
Coconut milk is the liquid that comes from pressing the grated white flesh of a mature coconut.
It has a naturally sweet, nutty flavor and is often used as a dairy alternative in vegan cooking.
When using coconut milk as a substitute for sour cream, it’s important to note that it has a thinner consistency than sour cream, so it’s best used when you want a creamy texture without added richness.
Coconut milk can be used in baking, smoothies, sauces, and soups. To make it thicker and more creamy, try adding cornstarch or arrowroot powder to the coconut milk before adding it to recipes.
Overall, coconut milk is the best substitutes for sour cream if you’re looking for a vegan-friendly alternative that still provides the same rich, creamy texture.
While its taste and texture may not be exactly the same as sour cream, it can still be a delicious addition to many recipes.
13. DIY Sour Cream
This DIY version is a great option if you’re looking for a way to make your own sour cream at home.
You will need heavy cream, white vinegar, and a few other ingredients. Start by combining 1 cup of heavy cream with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of yogurt, and 1⁄4 teaspoon of salt in a bowl.
Whisk the mixture together until it’s smooth. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours.
Whisk it again when the mixture has chilled until it’s thick and creamy.
You can adjust the amount of lemon juice and vinegar to get the desired tartness you’re looking for in a sour cream substitute.
You can also add a pinch of sugar to make it slightly sweeter. Enjoy your homemade sour cream in recipes that call for it!
14. Cashews
Cashews are a great alternative to sour cream and can be used in the same way to top off baked potatoes, tacos, burritos, and other dishes.
Cashews are a good protein, fiber, magnesium, and phosphorus source. To make sour cashew cream, blend raw cashews and water together until smooth.
Add a teaspoon of lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt to taste. You can also add garlic or herbs to enhance the flavor.
Cashew sour cream is best when used immediately but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Conclusion
There are a variety of substitutes available for sour cream that can be used in both savory and sweet recipes.
Plain yogurt, silken tofu, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, vegan sour cream, buttermilk, cream cheese, kefir, Mexican crema, crème fraîche, coconut milk, DIY sour cream, mayonnaise, and cashews are all viable alternatives to sour cream.
Each of these ingredients has unique properties and benefits that make them suitable for different types of dishes.
Experimenting with different substitutions can lead to some delicious and unexpected results.
Be sure to consider the flavor and texture of the dish when selecting the best substitutes for sour cream.
