Vegan Sour Cream Recipe - Strength and Sunshine (2024)

Learn how to make Vegan Sour Cream with just 2 ingredients! Thick and creamy, perfectly tangy dairy-free sour cream is the perfect substitute for regular sour cream! An easy and quick homemade recipe that's gluten-free, allergy-free, has no nuts, soy, or oil, and is made from scratch in 2 minutes! A budget-friendly replacement to always have in your fridge!

You'll be kicking yourself for not making this homemade vegan sour cream sooner! You only need two ingredients to make a perfect vegan substitute for your regular dairy sour cream. This simple recipe will provide all the creaminess and tang your dish needs! Use it as a topping, in baking, casseroles, or even as a quick and easy dip. No crazy ingredients, no dairy, and this recipe does not use soy or nuts. An allergy-free sour cream that's budget-friendly and literally takes 2 minutes to make!

What Is Sour Cream?

Sour cream is made by mixing together dairy cream and lactic acid cultures. Similar to yogurt, but the bacteria added that thickens the cream is also acid-producing, which gives the cream a slightly tart, sour, and tangy taste. This Eastern European ingredient is different than the French, crème fraîche, because it contains less fat. Crème fraîche has more fat and is typically made from unpasteurized cream, resulting in a thicker and richer ingredient that allows it to be used in high heat cooking, unlike sour cream which is prone to curdling when added directly to heat and should be added afterward.

Is Daisy Sour Cream Vegan?

Daisy brand sour cream is not vegan. The most iconic brand is made with dairy. It's just cultured cream but is not vegan. Don't be surprised if they come out with a plant-based variety down the line as many major brands are developing vegan options!

Also, note that real sour cream is just cultured cream. There should be no other ingredients. Don't be fooled by other homemade vegan recipes that include a ton of ingredients and are based on cashews or tofu! All you need is plain non-dairy yogurt and a source of acid!

Why Make Homemade Vegan Sour Cream?

Whether you have a dairy allergy, you're vegan, or you're cutting out dairy, this super simple and easy replacement for regular sour cream will be your go-to! Forget the pricy store-bought varieties with too many added and unnecessary ingredients. This simple recipe is:

• Gluten-Free
• Vegan & Vegetarian
• Allergy-free (Dairy-Free,Soy-Free,Egg-Free,Nut-Free,Peanut-Free,Wheat-Free,Sesame-Free,Corn-Free, Coconut-Free)
• Keto & Low-Carb
• Paleo, Grain-Free, Whole 30 Approved
• Oil-Free & Sugar-Free
• Easy To Meal Prep & Make-Ahead
• Quick & Budget-Friendly

Ingredients In Vegan Sour Cream

• Unsweetened Plain Non-Dairy Yogurt: All you need is a plain and unsweetened non-dairy yogurt. I like to use coconut since it's naturally thick. However, you can also choose a non-dairy greek yogurt or other nut/seed/grain-based yogurt.
• White Vinegar OR Lemon Juice: You have an option here to use distilled white vinegar or lemon juice. I recommend white vinegar since you won't be adding any extra flavor, however, if you are using this sour cream in baked goods or a sweet recipe, lemon juice works beautifully! Vinegar = Savory and Lemon Juice = Sweet!

Lactic Acid

If you want to get extra fancy here, you can use food-grade lactic acid. Lactic acid is tasteless and can be added to foods for fermentation, preserving, and giving things like vegan cheeses a tangy sour flour. For every cup of yogurt, add 1 to 1 ¼ teaspoons of critic acid (no other acid is needed). If you want a really tangy sour cream, add ¼ to ½ teaspoons in addition to the original vinegar recipe method.

The Best Non-Dairy Yogurt To Use

The best yogurt to use for a vegan sour cream substitute is unsweetened plain coconut yogurt. It's top allergen-free, readily accessible at most stores, and budget-friendly (you could even make your own...tbd). However, if you can't have coconut or would rather use a non-dairy yogurt you already have on hand and love, here are some other great store-bought suggestions in order of preference:

• So Delicious Unsweetened Plain Coconut Yogurt
• So Delicious Plain Coconut Yogurt (slightly sweetened, works best in sweet baked goods only)
• Anita's Plain Coconut Yogurt
• Coyo's Natural Probiotic Coconut Yogurt
• The Coconut Cult Original Probiotic Coconut Yogurt
• Culina Plain & Simple Coconut Yogurt
• Cocoyo Pure Coconut Yogurt
• Harmless Harvest Plain Coconut Yogurt (slightly sweetened, works best in sweet baked goods only)
• Forager Plain Unsweetened Coconut + Cashew Yogurt
• Forager Plain Cashew Yogurt with Oats + Seeds (slightly sweetened, works best in sweet baked goods only)
• Lavva Plain Pili Nut + Coconut Yogurt
• Kite Hill Plain Unsweetened Greek-Style Almond Yogurt
• Silk Greek-Style Coconut Yogurt (the vanilla flavor will work for sweet baked goods only)

How To Make Vegan Sour Cream

1. Add your non-dairy yogurt to a bowl or sanitized jar.
2. Add your choice of acid.
3. Mix everything together and let it sit for a minimum of 5-10 minutes!

What's The Difference Between Sour Cream & Buttermilk?

You're just making the cream version of buttermilk. Just as you would add acid to milk to sour (curdle) it, you're adding acid to yogurt (cream) to sour it.

Uses For Vegan Sour Cream

You can use this dairy-free sour cream any way you would use regular dairy sour cream!

• Sauces
• Dips or Dip on its own
• Creamy Dressings
• In Baked Goods like Coffee Cakes
• Use it In Pancakes & Breakfast Foods
• Cozy Casseroles
• Soups
• Pasta Dishes
• Frozen Treats like Ice Creams and Creamy Popsicles
• As a Simple Topping
• Mexican Foods Staple (nachos, tacos, burritos, etc.)
• Baked Potatoes
• Tangy Dollop on Anything!

How Long Will It Last?

You can store leftover vegan sour cream in an airtight jar or container for up to 7 days.

Can You Freeze It?

If you make a big batch and want to free it, you can freeze vegan sour cream for about 3-4 months in a freezer-safe bag or portioned out in tablespoons in an ice cube tray. Defrost overnight in the fridge. Depending on the type of yogurt base you used, there may be separation. Simply throw the defrosted dairy-free sour cream in a blender to re-blend!

Other Tips & Suggestions

• This recipe will make 1 cup of sour cream. You can easily make multiple batches and scale the recipe as you need! Just keep the ratios correct and meal prep as much as you need.
• Spice it up! Want a spicy sour cream that would make an awesome topping or dip on its own? Add some cayenne, cumin, chili, or chipotle spice!
• Add some herbs: Add some dried herbs like dill or thyme for a delicious topping to savory foods like potatoes. Even add some onion and/or garlic powder.
• Want it extra tangy? You can add slightly more acid and a pinch of salt to taste if you want your vegan sour cream to really stand out in flavor!

Print

No dairy, no nuts no tofu; it's that easy! One of those "why didn't I think of that!" moments! Dairy is one of the easiest food categories to swap 1-to-1 and replace! Don't overthink it and you'll be amazing at how delicious and seamless the swap vegan swap is!

So tell me:

What's your favorite dish to use sour cream in?

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