The 11 Best Sour Cream Substitutes & A Yummy Recipe! 

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 what my favorite sour cream substitutes are, 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!

Jump to:

• 1. DIY Sour Cream
• 2. Greek Yogurt
• 3. Cottage Cheese
• 4. Cream Cheese
• 5. Cultured Buttermilk
• 6. Crème Fraîche
• 7. Mayonnaise
• 8. Kefir
• 9. Filmjölk
• 10. Clabber
• 11. Kumis
• People Also Ask [FAQs]
• Wrap-Up: Sour Cream Substitute
• Recipe

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. For an extra creamy texture, try blending Greek yogurt with avocado or mayonnaise before adding it to your dish.

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 use cottage cheese as a replacement for sour cream, simply 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.

Just remember that since this option does contain 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 just two ingredients: heavy whipping cream and cultured buttermilk (or another type of 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! 

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 where the flavor isn't dominant (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 not only adds flavor but also 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.

As such, filmjölk can be used as an alternative for sour cream in recipes like baked goods and sauces due to its thick texture and mild flavor. 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. Plus, 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]

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 keep in mind how each option will affect both the taste and texture of your recipe.

Recipe