Sour cream is a sour-tasting milk derivative used in many recipes, due to its versatility. It is often used to garnish soups, tacos and stuffed potatoes, but also to make dips, salad dressings and marinades. If you are looking for a healthier or more original option, you can replace it with other dairy products (such as Greek or plain yogurt, crème fraîche or kefir) or create a similar product at home with vegan ingredients.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Replace Sour Cream with Yogurt
Step 1. Replace sour cream with Greek or plain yogurt
It is the perfect solution for those looking for a healthier option. White yogurt and Greek yogurt are similar in texture to sour cream, making them excellent substitutes for recipes such as dips, salad dressings, marinades, and desserts. Since the same amount of sour cream can be used in most cases, this is an easy substitution to implement.
- Keep in mind that the flavor of the dish may be only slightly tart, less intense than that of sour cream.
- Make a gravy by replacing the sour cream with yogurt. Mix a cup of Greek or plain yogurt with a tablespoon of chopped dill, a clove of minced garlic, and a teaspoon of lemon juice. The result? A creamy sauce with a pungent flavor, perfect for dipping vegetables or pita chips.
Step 2. If you are looking for a healthy substitute, use low-fat or skimmed Greek yogurt
Having fewer calories, fat (including saturated ones), cholesterol and sodium than sour cream, it's a great substitute. A cup of sour cream can be about 480 calories, while a cup of whole white Greek yogurt is about 220. Greek yogurt is an excellent source of protein, it also gives you energy, helps fuel your metabolism, and is rich in probiotics., useful for promoting digestion.
- Greek yogurt is available in different flavors. Replace sour cream with white one - it's more similar in texture and flavor.
- To cut down on calorie intake, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt to season stuffed potatoes. To make a tasty and healthy garnish, mix it with a pinch of salt, pepper and some parsley or chopped chives.
Step 3. Opt for full-fat yogurt instead of low-fat
Plain yogurt is also a great substitute for sour cream. But prefer the whole one to the lean variant. The latter contains added thickeners and stabilizers that can greatly alter the texture, making it less like that of sour cream.
Step 4. Prevent Greek yogurt from spoiling
Since it contains more protein and less fat than sour cream, it is more prone to curdling when it comes into contact with hot foods. To prevent this, plate dishes (such as stuffed potatoes, tacos, or soups) before tossing them with yogurt. If you plan to add it to a hot sauce, keep the temperature low and add the yogurt at the end of the preparation to prevent it from curdling.
Part 2 of 2: Replace Sour Cream with other Products
Step 1. If you are looking for a true gourmet option, try using crème fraîche
Just like yogurt, it is a product made with bacterial cultures with a consistency similar to that of sour cream. It is a full-bodied cream characterized by a more delicate taste. It can be used to prepare sweet and savory dishes. Containing more fat than sour cream and yogurt, it does not curdle when added to hot sauces. However, the high lipid content would cause it to melt if poured over hot soup or exposed to the heat of an oven grill.
You can find it in the supermarket, in the dairy department
Step 2. Try kefir cream
It is a versatile substitute made from the fermentation of milk. Contains many enzymes and probiotics. If you are planning on taking more, this is the option for you. However, it doesn't have the same density as sour cream. Being characterized by a liquid consistency, it is better to use it to prepare desserts, salad dressings and marinades.
Distinguished by its high protein content, kefir cream can curdle when exposed to high temperatures. Add it to a sauce or soup while heating it over low heat or just before serving
Step 3. To make desserts, replace the sour cream using a buttermilk and butter mixture
Buttermilk is the by-product of the transformation of cream into butter and is available in the dairy department at the supermarket. To replace a cup of sour cream, mix well 180ml buttermilk and 60ml butter. Since the mixture may not have the same density as sour cream, it is best to use it for making desserts or salad dressings.
Step 4. Make the heavy cream
If you're looking for a sour cream substitute in the fridge or can't find it at the supermarket, you can make heavy cream, which is high in fat, with a thick, creamy texture. To use it as a substitute, beat a cup of heavy cream with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to give it a tart flavor. The mixture should begin to thicken and have a consistency similar to that of sour cream.
Use it to garnish a soup. You can also mix it with cucumber slices and dill to make a Greek marinade, great for chicken or lamb kebab
Step 5. Make a vegan substitute using raw cashews, lemon juice and apple cider vinegar
Measure out a cup of raw cashews and let them soften in a bowl of water overnight. The next day, blend them in a food processor with a pinch of salt, a tablespoon of lemon juice and half a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar until smooth and creamy. The final product will have a texture and taste very similar to sour cream.
