How Much Greek Yogurt to Substitute for Sour Cream
Works for baking, sauteing, and slow cook. Greek Yogurt keeps a similar flavor profile to Sour Cream.
How much greek yogurt equals one cup of sour cream?
Use 1 cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt per 1 cup sour cream.
Health notes
Compared with Sour Cream, Greek Yogurt has: less calories (97 vs 181 per 100g in Sour Cream), less fat (5g vs 14.1g per 100g in Sour Cream), less saturated fat (2.4g vs 8.7g per 100g in Sour Cream), more protein (9g vs 7g per 100g in Sour Cream), and less carbs (4g vs 7g per 100g in Sour Cream).
Using greek yogurt as a sour cream substitute in baking
1:1 with plain full-fat Greek yogurt in cakes, muffins, and quick breads. Slightly leaner crumb, still tender and moist.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
Stir in off heat at 1:1 using full-fat yogurt. Keep below a simmer to avoid splitting.
- Slow Cook
Add near the end at 1:1 with full-fat yogurt. Long boiling still breaks it, so stir in late.
- Steaming
1:1 as a topping after steaming; don't cook it directly in the steamer.
- Raw Cold
1:1 in dips, dressings, and toppings. Slightly tangier and thicker.
- Drinks
1:1 in smoothies or chilled soups for a lighter, tangier body.
Methods to avoid (2)
- Frying
Not recommended: too thin and low fat to coat and crisp properly.
- Grilling
Not recommended: no fat cap to hold up on direct heat, use as a finishing sauce instead.
FAQ
- How much greek yogurt equals one cup of sour cream?
Use 1 cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt per 1 cup sour cream.
- Can I substitute greek yogurt for Sour Cream in baking?
Yes. 1:1 with plain full-fat Greek yogurt in cakes, muffins, and quick breads. Slightly leaner crumb, still tender and moist. Not recommended: too thin and low fat to coat and crisp properly.
- How much greek yogurt to use as a sour cream substitute?
A touch tangier and less rich; stir in a splash of cream if you want more body.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Greek Yogurt for Sour Cream?
Greek yogurt keeps a similar flavor profile to sour cream.
- How does texture change when substituting Greek Yogurt for Sour Cream?
Greek yogurt similar thick, spoonable body but slightly less rich and a little more grainy under heat.
- What else should I know about substituting Greek Yogurt for Sour Cream?
For dips, dressings, baked goods, and stir-ins. Expect a slightly tangier, leaner result. Nonfat yogurt separates more under heat—prefer whole-milk Greek yogurt, especially in hot sauces. Skip frying and grilling on direct high heat. Stir in off heat to avoid curdling.
- What still works when substituting Greek Yogurt for Sour Cream?
Greek yogurt still works as a fat, acid, texture, and flavor carrier.
- How well does Greek Yogurt match Sour Cream?
Greek yogurt is good on structure, good on heat, and good on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Greek Yogurt for Sour Cream?
Greek yogurt is slightly higher in protein, and has about x2 fewer calories, x3 fewer fat, and x4 fewer sat. fat.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Greek Yogurt for Sour Cream?
The flavor shifts toward less acidic notes.