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.

It’s hard to duplicate the rich milky flavor with an acidic tang of sour cream, however, there are some noteworthy alternatives worth considering when you need a sour cream substitute. 

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

Sour cream has a slightly tart and thick consistency from the fermentation of cream with a lactic acid culture. It is a common ingredient used to thicken sauces, make dips, create creamy frosting, and top baked potatoes and soups.

Additionally, sour cream provides health benefits through its probiotics, which contribute to improved immunity. 

Let’s explore these substitutes in greater detail to discover what alternatives are suitable for recipes when sour cream is unavailable.

What’s In The Post

Toggle

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

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

It has a thick consistency and a rich, creamy, and 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 a suitable alternative 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.

• 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.

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)

What can I use as a sour cream substitute for cheesecake?

You can use Greek yogurt, cream cheese, butter, and cottage cheese as a substitute for a sour cream substitute for cheesecake.

What are the sour cream substitutes in baking?

You can use Heavy whipped cream, crème fraîche, and cream cheese as a substitute for sour cream substitute in baking.

What are the vegan sour cream substitutes?

Cashews cream and tofu are the best sour cream substitutes.

What are the non-dairy substitutes for sour cream?

The non-dairy substitutes for sour cream are Cashew Cream and Mayonnaise.