There are multiple options once you’re all outside! Here’s the best substitute for sour cream for baking and spooning.
All sour cream? We have your back! Sour cream is used in baking recipes and to add creaminess to sauces and soups. But even more often it is used for spoons! What’s a chili without a dollop of sour cream? So that you don’t feel stuck when you run out of cream, here are our best sour cream substitutes to use in recipes and as a topping.
Best substitute for sour cream in baking and recipes
Note that how these options work depends on the type of recipe and how sour cream is used.
1. Make it homemade!
Imagine: you can make your own sour cream! All you need is 24 hours, cream and buttermilk. Let the two sit in a warm spot for a day and it will thicken into a homemade version that tastes even better than the original. Opt for homemade sour cream.
2. Full-fat Greek yogurt (or plain yogurt).
The best substitute for sour cream in baking? Yogurt! Greek yogurt, in particular, has a creamy texture similar to sour cream and a tart flavor. Use as a substitute for sour cream in baking recipes and to baste chili. The report? 1:1 So, substitute 1 cup of yogurt for 1 cup of sour cream. Or you can use plain yogurt and strain it for a few minutes (or up to 1 hour) to get a thicker texture.
Note: If your recipe calls for adding sour cream to a hot sauce or soup, be careful! Yogurt contains less fat than sour cream, so it can curdle more easily. When cooking, use a lower temperature or turn off the heat and add at the end of the recipe preparation.
3. Vegan Sour Cream (dairy-free option).
A dairy-free substitute for sour cream? try that Vegan sour cream! It’s eerily similar to sour cream in flavor and texture, but it’s made with cashews, tofu, and lemon juice. Do not use it as a substitute for sour cream in baking recipes. But it’s perfect for chili and tacos!
4. Fresh cream
The French version of sour cream, crème fraîche, works as a substitute too! It’s even higher in fat than sour cream, so it’s richer and creamier. A downside is that it has a milder flavor and doesn’t taste like sour cream. But if you have it handy, it might do the trick!
You can experiment with sour cream as a substitute for sour cream in baking and spooning. Use it as a 1:1 replacement. And you don’t have to worry about curdling in hot sauces!
Here are some recipes that are made even more perfect with sour cream:
Last update: December 2020
