We have all been in this situation; you start making a recipe and realise that you are completely out of an ingredient. It is a very annoying moment, and we desperately look for an alternative. However, most of the time we find a solution that saves our hard work from going into vain. From sweeteners to masalas, our kitchen has an alternative for every ingredient, you just have to look carefully.
When it comes to baking, one needs to be very cautious as even a little change in the ingredient can affect the taste of the whole dish and it cannot be reversed. Sour cream is a popular fermented dairy product that is widely used in baking. It is also a part of soups, ice creams, smoothies, salad dressings and served as a dip.
So, if you ever ran out of sour cream while cooking, here are five alternatives you can use instead:
Buttermilk
Buttermilk, also known as chhachh is a great alternative for sour cream. Widely consumed in India during summer, it is made from the cultured cream. This tangy liquid is best for baked goods and dressings. ¾ cup of buttermilk can be used instead of one cup of sour cream.
Yoghurt
Yoghurt is one such ingredient that can be commonly found in the refrigerator. It is one of the best substitutes for sour cream. The right ratio of replacing sour cream with yoghurt will be 1:1. Both regular and Greek yoghurt can be used for baking, making a dip or salad dressing.
Mayonnaise
If you have a jar of mayonnaise in your kitchen counter, then there is no need to worry. Mayo can be used as a replacement in both baking as well as dips. However, it has slightly less tang than sour cream. To enhance its acidity, you can also add a few drops of lemon juice to the mayonnaise.
Coconut Milk
If you are looking for a vegan or non-dairy substitute, then use coconut milk. It is ideal for people with milk allergies. Skim off the coconut cream layer from the top and combine it well with some lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to add a hint of sourness. It can be used as a substitute for sour cream in the ratio of 1:1.
DIY Sour Cream
Yes! You can make your own sour cream in the kitchen. It is very simple as well as easy to prepare and unlike the store bought one, DIY sour cream is free from chemicals. All you have to do is whisk together 1 cup of heavy cream with 1 teaspoon of lemon. Let that sit for 10 minutes, and then mix in 1/4 cup of whole milk. Cover and let sit at room temperature for 1 to 2 days, then store in the refrigerator and you are good to go.