Sour Cream Substitute
For 1 cup of sour cream, use 1 cup plain yogurt. Below: the swap scaled to the amounts recipes use.
For 1 cup of sour cream
1 cup plain yogurt
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Data & method: from Colorado State University Extension, fact sheet 9.329 (Ingredient Substitutions). An automated test pins each ratio to its source. How we calculate →
Scaled to what your recipe calls for
Plain yogurt, computed for the amounts recipes actually use:
| Recipe needs | Use instead |
|---|---|
| ¼ cup of sour cream | ¼ cup plain yogurt |
| ½ cup of sour cream | ½ cup plain yogurt |
| ¾ cup of sour cream | ¾ cup plain yogurt |
| 1 cup of sour cream | 1 cup plain yogurt |
| 1½ cups of sour cream | 1½ cups plain yogurt |
| 2 cups of sour cream | 2 cups plain yogurt |
Need a different amount — or a different ingredient?
The calculator scales every option to your exact amount, for all 17 staples we cover.
Best swap Plain yogurt
1 cup plain yogurt
Source: Colorado State University Extension, fact sheet 9.329 (Ingredient Substitutions)
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Weighing instead? 1 cup of sour cream in grams: 227 g →
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of sour cream?
The best swap for 1 cup of sour cream is 1 cup plain yogurt. Source: Colorado State University Extension, fact sheet 9.329 (Ingredient Substitutions).
How much substitute do I use for a different amount of sour cream?
Scale the parts linearly. The table on this page covers the common amounts, and the calculator scales every option to exactly what your recipe calls for — never a vague "adjust to taste".