10 Perfect Sour Cream Substitutes for Every Recipe

Sour cream plays a key role in many dishes, from savory meals like enchiladas and paprika chicken to sweet treats like coffee cake. It adds richness and depth, whether in desserts or savory casseroles. If you're out of sour cream, don't worry – we've got you covered with some great alternatives depending on your dish.

Best All-Purpose Sour Cream Replacement: Greek Yogurt

Plain Greek yogurt is a great stand-in for sour cream. It's thick, tangy, and creamy, making it ideal for dolloping on tacos, mixing into dips, or stirring into salad dressings.

When baking or using heat (in soups, casseroles, etc.), opt for full-fat Greek yogurt for the best outcome. It holds up better under heat and won’t separate as easily as nonfat versions. While still lower in fat than sour cream, it works similarly in baking, giving a slightly fluffier texture due to its higher casein content. For extra richness, consider adding a splash of heavy cream.

Vegan Sour Cream Options

Non-dairy substitutes have greatly improved, and many now mimic sour cream’s taste and texture. These can be swapped in 1:1 for the dairy version. For a homemade vegan option, try making your own Cashew Sour Cream for a creamy topping.

Cream Cheese, Mascarpone, and Cottage Cheese as Substitutes

Soft cheeses like cream cheese and mascarpone are great stand-ins for sour cream in baked goods. Let them come to room temperature and loosen with a bit of milk or lemon juice to match the desired consistency. Mascarpone’s rich, sweet profile is better suited for cakes, while cream cheese shines in both sweet and savory dishes.

Cottage cheese can also replace sour cream in baking. For a smooth consistency, blend whole-milk cottage cheese or add a bit of cream to low-fat versions. You’ll get the best results with cottage cheese that has small curds, which can be pureed easily.

Crème Fraîche

Crème fraîche is a creamy, slightly less tangy alternative to sour cream. Its rich texture and mild flavor make it perfect for dolloping on dishes, using in baked goods, or incorporating into casseroles. While it’s usually pricier than sour cream, it’s a luxurious ingredient worth experimenting with.

Crema Mexicana

A bit thinner and less tangy than sour cream, crema mexicana is ideal for drizzling over tacos, nachos, or stirring into mashed potatoes. It also makes a smooth addition to salad dressings, like Bill’s Blue Cheese Dressing. If you’re using it in baking, add a touch of lemon juice to thicken it slightly, but be aware that its runny consistency can alter the texture of baked goods that rely on sour cream’s body.

Recipe: Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Making Homemade Sour Cream

With just heavy cream, milk, and vinegar, you can easily make sour cream at home. However, homemade versions tend to be a bit thinner than store-bought varieties and require at least 24 hours to set. While it may take a trip to the store to save time, some suggest that whipping the mixture can help it thicken up.

Coconut Milk

Although store-bought vegan sour cream is the closest match in taste and texture, coconut milk can also serve as a good alternative. To get the best results, use the thick coconut cream from the top of the can, then mix in lemon juice or vinegar and a pinch of salt.

Buttermilk

Like crema mexicana, buttermilk is thinner than sour cream and has a similar tangy flavor. Its runny texture makes it less suitable for dolloping on foods like baked potatoes. For baking, opt for whole buttermilk, as it provides better consistency than low-fat versions. Use about 3/4 cup of buttermilk for every cup of sour cream in the recipe. Keep in mind that this swap might affect your baked goods' texture, so it’s ideal to try recipes designed for buttermilk, such as Chef John’s Buttermilk Biscuits or Buttermilk Pound Cake.