Ingredient substitution guide

Best substitutes for sour cream

Best swap for sour cream: Plain Greek yogurt, 1:1 whole-milk Greek yogurt; tangier, less fat; fine in baking and cold sauces, can curdle in hot sauces.

How we checked this: these swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes, and their ratios follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than one published chart. For exact amounts on many common swaps, see the NDSU and Colorado State University extension tables listed below. Editorial policy

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What can I use instead of Sour Cream?

The best swap for Sour Cream is Plain Greek Yogurt, 1:1 whole-milk Greek yogurt; tangier, less fat; fine in baking and cold sauces, can curdle in hot sauces. Another option is Creme Fraiche, 1:1; richer, less tangy; stable in heat. The table below also lists Mexican Crema, 3 swaps in all.

All 3 swaps for sour cream, best first.
Swap	Ratio and notes
Plain Greek yogurt	1:1 whole-milk Greek yogurt; tangier, less fat; fine in baking and cold sauces, can curdle in hot sauces How to use it: For hot dishes, stir 1 tablespoon cornstarch into each cup of yogurt to keep it from separating.
Creme fraiche	1:1; richer, less tangy; stable in heat
Mexican crema	1:1; thinner and slightly sweeter

Source and limits

These swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes to your kitchen, last updated November 3, 2026. We remove swaps known to be unsafe, but not every swap has been tested in a kitchen, and a swap is cooking guidance, not an allergen or nutrition equivalent. Check labels and what the recipe needs before substituting.

The ratios and usage notes follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than a single published chart. These two university extension tables list exact amounts for many common swaps:

Browse every ingredient and read how these swaps are sourced.

Read the full guides:

Buying more? Storage times for sour cream