Sour cream is a versatile dairy staple. The creamy fermented dairy product provides the perfect amount of flavor when dolloped on comforting dishes such as baked potatoes or nachos. Its thick, tangy goodness also provides moisture and richness to classic baked goods such as chocolate cake and cheesecake. But what happens if you don't have enough to complete your recipe or the store is out of stock? Not to worry, there's a sour cream substitute for baking or cooking. Use one of our Test Kitchen's ingredient substitutions to achieve the delicious tang your recipe needs.
Dairy-Based Sour Cream Substitutes
Per 1 cup sour cream, substitute one of the following:
- Crème fraîche: Meaning "fresh cream" in French, crème fraîche is similar to sour cream in that it has bacterial cultures in the mix, but the result is thicker (and has a higher fat count). It can be used as a sour cream substitute for baking or cooking in equal amounts.
- Buttermilk: While not the same texture as sour cream, buttermilk can still provide that irresistible tang to dishes. If you're using buttermilk as a sour cream substitute in baking, swap ¾ cup for every cup of sour cream. Depending on the recipe, you might also want to decrease the amount of other liquids in the recipe or add additional flour.
- Plain yogurt: Equal parts plain yogurt is an excellent substitute for sour cream. Not only does it have a similar texture and tangy flavor, but it also has more protein. Go for regular or Greek yogurt here, though Greek is thicker and is a closer swap to sour cream when used as a topping or dip.
Non-Dairy Sour Cream Substitutes
If you're lactose intolerant or following a plant-based diet, try one of the following dairy-free sour cream substitutes for baking or cooking:
- Cashews: Those using dairy-free recipes will know you can make a delicious sour cream substitute. Simply soak raw cashews in water until soft, then blend them with some lemon juice or vinegar to achieve a tangy, dairy-free sour cream. Try our creamy cashew dip or cashew cream pasta.
- Vegan sour cream: Several non-dairy sour creams are on the market, made from coconut, soy, and other plant-based ingredients. Use vegan sour cream as an equal substitute in your recipes or as a dish topping.
Use up the rest of your carton of sour cream or one of these easy substitutes to make your mashed potatoes stand out. Or bake a tangy sour cream pound cake to serve after dinner.