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Velvet Digest

Can you substitute yogurt for sour cream in a recipe?

Author

Sophia Koch

Updated on May 16, 2026

Greek yogurt can be used as a substitute in dips, dressings and toppings. Additionally, equal parts of full-fat Greek yogurt can be used in place of regular sour cream in any recipe, including baked goods. However, it is lower in calories and fat and can be used as a replacement for sour cream in many recipes.

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Also asked, what is a good substitute for sour cream?

yogurt

Subsequently, question is, are yogurt and sour cream the same? Sour cream is made by adding lactic acid and bacteria to a combination of cream and milk and letting it thicken and sour. Yogurt, on the other hand, is made in a similar way to sour cream, only it is made by fermenting milk instead of cream.

Regarding this, what can I substitute for yogurt in a recipe?

Substitute for Yogurt in Recipes

  • For 1 cup of plain yogurt:
  • 1 cup buttermilk or sour milk.
  • 1 cup sour cream.
  • 1 cup cottage cheese, blended until smooth.

Can you use vanilla yogurt in place of sour cream?

Yogurt also can be substituted for sour cream in baking, either to reduce the recipe's fat content or because you find yourself out of sour cream at the crucial moment. For example, you could use your vanilla-flavored breakfast yogurt in a sour cream coffee cake, with a few adjustments to the recipe.

Related Question Answers

What does sour cream do in baking?

To summarize, sour cream can be used in cakes to: add moisture without thinning the cake batter, adding fat for creaminess, controlling browning and to activate baking soda. The sour cream does all of this thanks to its high fat content & acidity.

What is sour cream made of?

Sour cream is made by adding lactic acid culture to cream and sometimes milk to thicken and sour it. In France, crème fraîche was traditionally made from unpasteurized cream that naturally contained the right bacteria to thicken it.

Is there a non dairy sour cream?

Dairy-Free Sour Cream. To make dairy-free sour cream you basically just start with a creamy, non-dairy neutral base then add some lemon juice to give it that classic “sour” taste. I have 3 bases that I typically use: coconut cream, cashews, or plain non-dairy Greek yogurt.

Is there a way to make sour cream?

Instructions
  1. Transfer the heavy cream in a clean glass jar.
  2. Add lemon juice in milk and keep aside for 5 minutes.
  3. Add the mixture in the jar with the cream.
  4. Mix well.
  5. Cover the jar and keep aside for 24 hours at room temperature.
  6. Refrigerate the jar for 6-8 hours.
  7. Sour cream is ready to be used now.

What can sour cream be used for?

Sour cream is incredibly versatile and lends the richness of cream to any dish, while providing the lightening properties of buttermilk and yogurt to baked goods.
  • Make Creamy Savory Dishes.
  • Use in Sandwiches.
  • Make Salad Dressings and Dips.
  • Enhance Baked Goods.
  • Create Ice cream or Smoothies.

Can I use cream instead of sour cream?

If you're thinking heavy cream is just as hard to find as sour cream, the fantastic news is that it, too, has a substitute ingredient which you probably already have in your kitchen: all-purpose cream. Your sour cream may be thicker and may require more time to thicken so adjust as necessary.

Can you use mayo instead of sour cream?

For example, you may replace 1 cup of mayonnaise for 1 cup of sour cream. In addition, mayonnaise and a couple of other ingredients enable you to make your own sour cream, with a similar taste.

Can you use cream cheese instead of sour cream?

If you need something to be thicker, you can add cream cheese instead of sour cream. If you need it to be thinner, you can dilute your cream cheese by whipping it with milk to reduce its viscosity and render it more like sour cream. It won't taste the same, but it might be tasty all the same.

Can you substitute mayo for yogurt?

Yogurt can replace mayo, sour cream, but use with care. Nonfat or low-fat plain yogurt can be substituted for buttermilk, sour cream or mayonnaise to lower fat content in recipes. (Low-fat yogurt has 9 calories a tablespoon, versus 99 for regular mayonnaise and 30 for sour cream.)

What does Greek yogurt replace in baking?

"Yogurt will also make baked goods more filling thanks to the high protein content," says Aguirre. You can use Greek, plain, fat-free or low-fat yogurt whenever your favorite baking recipe calls for oil, shortening, butter, milk or even sour cream.

What does yogurt do in baking?

What does Greek yogurt do in baking?
  1. Its creaminess helps keep baked goods moist.
  2. Its tanginess imparts a crave-worthy, old-fashioned flavor.
  3. Its acidity helps activate baking soda , which can make baked goods fluffy and light.

Can you replace milk with yogurt in baking?

Your best bet is to replace the milk with another dairy product. Plain yogurt or sour cream can also be used as a replacement for milk. If you're making a cake or some other baked good, use an equal amount of yogurt or sour cream to the amount of milk the recipe calls for.

Can I use Greek yogurt in place of heavy cream?

Greek Yogurt and Milk Blend together equal parts Greek yogurt and whole milk and use it in place of the same amount of heavy cream. Note that this substitute can add thickness to dishes like soups or sauces, but it shouldn't be used in recipes that require whipping.

Is there a non dairy Greek yogurt?

Almond Dream Non-Dairy Yogurt – This used to be a favorite, but they changed the consistency to be a bit more gelatinous. Kite Hill Almond Greek-Style Yogurt – This is a good option for high protein and lower sugar.

Can I use sour cream instead of yogurt to marinate chicken?

Yogurt has special qualities that sour cream simply cannot match. In the traditional Indian recipe for tandoori chicken, for example, the yogurt not only contributes to the flavor profile of the marinade, but also contributes as a tenderizer. In my book, yogurt and sour cream are NEVER interchangeable.

Is Sour cream healthier than yogurt?

Both provide a creamy, tangy taste to your favorite dishes, but sour cream is higher in fat and calories while Greek yogurt provides more protein and, for the most part, fewer calories. The same amount of non-fat Greek yogurt contains only 18 calories, 3g of protein, and no saturated fat.

Can I use sour cream as a starter for yogurt?

Sour Cream. Sour cream is just as easy to make as yogurt—maybe even easier, as there are a few different starters you can use. Let the sour cream sit on the counter or in a warm place in your kitchen overnight, up to 24 hours. When it is thickened to your preference, stir the cream, replace the lid, and refrigerate.

Can I use sour cream instead of yogurt in Curry?

Add heavy cream or half-and-half in place of yogurt. Let the curry sauce reduce after adding until the desired thickness is achieved. Substitute sour cream for yogurt. Sour cream will still thicken the curry, but also add a similar sour taste as yogurt.

Why is plain Greek yogurt sour?

All you need is pasteurized milk and bacteria. With such a high volume of active bacteria chugging away, the end result becomes supremely tangy. For some, that sour taste is anything but tasty, so many varieties of yogurt come adorned with additives ranging from honey to fruit preserves to balance out the flavor.