Whether you’re out of sour cream or looking for a healthier alternative, you’ve come to the right place! In this blog post, I’ll tell you my favorite sour cream substitutes, why they work so well as replacements, and how to use them. At the bottom of it, I'll even throw in a delicious recipe to make your own DIY Sour Cream!
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1. DIY Sour Cream
If you have some heavy cream and an acidic ingredient on hand (such as lemon juice or white vinegar), then it's incredibly easy to make your own DIY Sour Cream at home.
All you need is one cup of heavy cream, two tablespoons of your acidic ingredient of choice, plus a little bit of salt for flavor. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and whisk until thickened – voila!
You now have an easy-to-make and delicious sour cream substitute that can be used in a variety of recipes.
2. Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is another great option when it comes to substituting for sour cream. This type of yogurt has a thicker consistency than regular yogurt and also contains more protein.
It pairs perfectly with dishes like tacos and burritos since it has the same tangy flavor as sour cream but with fewer calories and fat content. Try blending Greek yogurt with avocado or mayonnaise before adding it to your dish for an extra creamy texture.
3. Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is another great alternative for those looking for something lighter than traditional sour cream. This cheese is packed with protein and contains significantly fewer calories than most other dairy products.
To replace cottage cheese for sour cream, blend it until smooth (you may want to add some milk or half-and-half if the mixture is too thick) and then mix in seasonings like garlic powder or onion powder depending on what type of recipe you are making.
4. Cream Cheese
Another one is good ol' fashioned cream cheese! This type of cheese has a similar thickness to that of sour cream but with more richness due to its higher fat content.
Use this substitute in recipes such as dips, cheesecakes, or even enchiladas for an added boost of flavor without compromising taste or texture.
Remember that since this option contains more fat than other alternatives, it should be used sparingly when trying to watch your calorie intake.
5. Cultured Buttermilk
Cultured Buttermilk is an excellent sour cream substitute because it is low in fat and calories but still provides a tangy flavor. It's also easy to make at home with just two ingredients: buttermilk and heavy cream.
To make cultured buttermilk, mix ½ cup of buttermilk with ½ cup of heavy cream in a jar, seal it tightly, and allow it to sit at room temperature for 24 hours. The mixture will thicken as it cultures and can be used immediately or stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days!
This is an especially good choice if you're looking for something lighter than traditional sour cream as it contains half the fat content per serving.
6. Crème Fraîche
Crème Fraîche or fresh cream also makes an excellent substitute for sour cream. It is thicker and richer than sour cream but still has a slightly tart flavor profile that works well in many recipes.
It's easy to make at home with heavy whipping cream and cultured buttermilk (or another acid such as lemon juice or cider vinegar).
To make crème fraîche, mix ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream with 2 tablespoons of either cultured buttermilk or acid in a jar, seal it tightly, and then let it sit at room temperature for 12-24 hours until thickened. Crème fraîche can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 7-10 days! Here are some great crème fraîche substitutes, should you need them!
7. Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is another popular substitute for sour cream because of its richness and creaminess, as well as it being a common ingredient found in most households. It can be used as a one-to-one substitution for sour cream in recipes with no dominant flavor (such as dips or dressings).
You can also add some milk or plain yogurt if you'd like additional tanginess. Additionally, mayonnaise can be used as an ingredient when baking cakes or muffins if you want them extra moist without adding extra butter or oil.
8. Kefir
Kefir is another great option if you're looking for a healthier alternative to sour cream that still packs plenty of flavors. It is made from fermented milk and has probiotic benefits which help digestion and overall health!
Kefir can be used as an equal substitution in place of sour cream in many recipes such as dips, sauces, dressings, soups, casseroles, etc., although its slightly thinner consistency may affect texture slightly so keep that in mind when making substitutions!
Additionally, Kefir is an ideal baking companion for cakes and muffins due to its natural sweetness that adds flavor and moisture without the need for fats like butter or oil.
9. Filmjölk
Filmjölk (pronounced “fill-myolk”) is acidic soured milk made from cow or goat's milk. This unique product has a slightly tangy flavor and creamy texture similar to yogurt but with more acidity.
It's made by allowing lactic acid bacteria to ferment the milk over several hours, which causes it to thicken due to lactic acid production.
Due to its thick texture and mild flavor, filmjölk can be used as an alternative for sour cream in recipes like baked goods and sauces. Plus, it contains probiotics which makes it a healthy choice too!
10. Clabber
Clabber is another type of soured milk that originated in Scotland during medieval times. It is made by adding an acidic substance such as lemon juice or vinegar to fresh cow or goat’s milk and letting it sit until it thickens into a custard-like consistency.
Clabber has a thicker texture than filmjölk, but still retains some of its creamy qualities making it ideal for substituting sour cream in recipes like cakes and muffins. Clabber has fewer calories than regular sour cream so you can enjoy your treats without feeling guilty!
11. Kumis
Kumis (or airag) is an ancient fermented beverage made from mare’s milk—yes, horse milk! The drink has both sweet and tart flavors that combine nicely with savory dishes like pierogies or dumplings.
Kumis, which is similar to kefir, also has probiotic benefits thanks to the fermentation process which helps keep your gut healthy.
As far as substituting for sour cream goes however, kumis may not work as well as filmjölk or clabber due to its thinner consistency—but feel free to experiment with it if you're feeling adventurous or if the texture/consistency is not a concern in the recipe!
People Also Ask [FAQs]
In the UK, soured cream is the equivalent of sour cream.
Yes, it is possible to substitute milk for sour cream by mixing one cup of whole milk and a tablespoon of lemon juice, or ⅔ cup powdered milk with ¾ cup water and a teaspoon of lemon juice/vinegar.
No, sour cream is not just yogurt. It is a cultured dairy product made from a combination of cream and lactic acid-producing bacteria.
Wrap-Up: Sour Cream Substitute
- As you can see there are plenty of options out there when looking for a substitute for traditional sour cream – from making your own DIY version at home to using Greek yogurt or cottage cheese as low-calorie alternatives.
- Some of the other popular substitutes include yogurt, crème fraîche, mayonnaise, and kefir.
- Each of these options has its own unique flavor and consistency that can be used to enhance or change the flavor profile of a dish.
- When substituting for sour cream, it's essential to remember how each option will affect your recipe's taste and texture.
🍽️ Recipe
DIY Sour Cream
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice or any acidic ingredient of choice ( such as white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- To start off this easy process, mix the heavy cream with your chosen acidic ingredient until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Then add the salt and stir again until it's fully combined.
- After that, you can choose whether to enjoy your sour cream right away or let it sit overnight in the fridge to ferment and thicken - both options provide a great result!
- With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, now you have an unforgettable sweet-tart treat for any occasion!
Notes
- The longer it sits, the more intense its tangy flavor becomes — giving your final dish that extra burst of flavor! Enjoy your homemade sour cream in tacos, salads, or any of your favorite recipes!
- Store the homemade sour cream in an airtight container.
- To make vegan sour cream, replace heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream, additionally, you can also try a combination of non-dairy milk either with melted vegan butter or a few tablespoons of cornstarch.
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