Plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup full-fat plain Greek yogurt
Best for: Tacos, baked potatoes, dips, baking
The easiest 1:1 swap. Stir into hot dishes off the heat.
Sour Cream Substitute
Sour cream is cultured cream: thick, tangy and about 20% fat. For toppings and dips, anything thick and tangy works; in baking you also need the fat and acid, which is why full-fat versions of the swaps work better there.
Use one of these instead — amounts update as you change the quantity.
Crème fraîche
- 1 cup crème fraîche
Best for: Sauces, soups
Richer and will not curdle when boiled.
Cottage cheese + lemon
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (blend until smooth)
Best for: Dips, dressings
Blend until completely smooth.
Cashew cream
- 1 cup soaked cashews blended with water and lemon
Best for: Dairy-free toppings
Soak 1 cup cashews 2 hours; blend with ½ cup water and 1 tbsp lemon.
Questions people ask
Is Greek yogurt a good substitute for sour cream?
Yes, 1:1 in almost everything. Use full-fat in baking for the best texture.
Can I use mayo instead of sour cream?
In dips and dressings, partly. Mix half mayo and half yogurt so it does not get too heavy.
Other swaps: Buttermilk · Heavy cream · Baking powder · Egg · Cornstarch · Brown sugar · Butter · Milk