Vegan Sour Cream Recipe (2024)

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This Vegan Sour Cream Recipe requires just 5 ingredients and it turns out rich, tangy and creamy!

Vegan Sour Cream Recipe (1)

I'm so excited to share this Vegan Sour Cream Recipe with you guys! It's heavenly! Plus, it's so darn easy to make and it should be in everyone's fridge.

Along with Vegan Cheddar Cheese and Almond Cream Cheese. All non-dairy, all delicious!

I started making my own sour cream because the store-bought varieties are lacking tang that the dairy variety has. The consistency is great for most of them, but they need to work on the flavor part.

I have a feeling that we'll see better versions in the near future though. The vegan community is growing fast and many companies are paying attention. It's a great time to be vegan!!

Table of Contents

WHAT IS VEGAN SOUR CREAM MADE OF?

Vegan Sour Cream Recipe (2)

Believe it or not, it takes just 5 ingredients to make the creamiest and tangiest sour cream. Here's what you'll need: (*full amounts in recipe card below)

Raw Cashews
Unsweetened Non-Dairy Yogurt
Lemon Juice
Apple Cider Vinegar
Salt

ADD-INS AND SUBSTITUTES:

If you have lactic acid, you can use that in replace of the lemon juice. It adds a similar tangy flavor that cultured cheese has. I usually add 1 ¼ teaspoons. You may need to add a few teaspoons of water or non-dairy milk to make up the liquid portion of the lemon juice. Blend first and then decide.

If you'd like to add an extra hint of flavor to your vegan sour cream, adding granulated onion will do the trick. You only need a pinch.

WHICH BRAND OF NON-DAIRY YOGURT SHOULD YOU USE?

I prefer unsweetened So Delicious yogurt for its color, flavor, and thickness, but there are many brands that will work well too. Kite Hill is another nice option.

If you can't find unsweetened non-dairy yogurt, you can use plain. Look for one that has the least amount of sugar to avoid a slightly sweet taste. Some non-dairy yogurt brands have an off-white color, which will make your sour cream slightly off-white. It won't affect the tastiness though.

Vegan Sour Cream Recipe (3)

HOW DO YOU MAKE VEGAN SOUR CREAM?

The method is SO easy, just add all the ingredients to your high-powered blender. Then blend on high until creamy and smooth.

Now taste to see if it needs more lemon, salt or vinegar and add if needed. The consistency will be soft, butit will significantly firm up in the fridge.

Pour into an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 hours to firm it up. Give it a good stir after chilling.

Tips:

1 - If you're unsure how salty or tangy you want the sour cream to be, it's best to use less lemon, vinegar and salt to start. You can always taste and add more after blending.

2 - I get a perfect consistency every time with the listed ingredient amounts. However, If you feel your sour cream is too thick, you can add a few teaspoons of unsweetened non-dairy milk, yogurt or water to thin it out. Add more as needed but only a small amount at a time to avoid a runny consistency.

3 - The cashews must soak for a minimum of 6 hours or they will produce gritty results

4 - If you don't have a high-speed blender, the consistency may not get smooth enough. You can try soaking longer to make the cashews really soft.

5 - I like to use Whole Cashews rather than pieces. The whole pieces are usually the best quality and fresh tasting. If the cashews are lower quality, they tend to leave an aftertaste in the sour cream. It shouldn't taste heavily like cashews.

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

It stays fresh for about 4-5 days in the fridge, but I never make it that long. It disappears fast!

CAN I FREEZE IT?

Yes, it freezes well for 4-5 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight. You may need to stir in a little water, non-dairy yogurt or milk to thin it out.

Vegan Sour Cream Recipe (4)

WHAT CAN I USE VEGAN SOUR CREAM FOR?

You can use it to amp up:
- Dressings
- Sauces
- Dips
- Soups
- Baked goods
- Ice cream
- Pancakes

Dollop it onVegan Quesadillas, Baked Potatoes, Jackfruit Carnitas Tacos, Rice, Tomato Spinach Pasta, casseroles, Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili, and so much more!

Enjoy!

Vegan Sour Cream Recipe (5)

I’d love to hear from you

If you make this Vegan Sour Cream Recipe, let me know what you think by★ star rating it and leaving a comment below. It would really make my day. You can also follow me onInstagramand share your creation with me. Just tag me@veganhuggsand hashtag#veganhuggsso I don’t miss it.

📖 Recipe

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5 from 91 votes

5-Ingredient Vegan Sour Cream

This Vegan Sour Cream Recipe requires just 5 ingredients and it turns out rich, tangy and creamy!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Total Time10 minutes mins

Course: Condiment, Spread

Cuisine: Oil-free, Vegan

Servings: 8 people

Calories: 76kcal

Author: Melissa Huggins

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup raw cashews , soaked in water for 6 hours
  • ½ cup non-dairy yogurt unsweetened (sub plain)
  • 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice (I usually add 2)
  • ¾ teaspoon apple cider vinegar , more to taste
  • ½- ¾ teaspoon sea salt , more to taste (I usually add ¾ tsp)

Instructions

  • Drain and rinse the cashews. Discard soaking water.

  • Add all the ingredients to a high-powered blender (starting with the yogurt and lemon juice). Blend on high until creamy and smooth. This could take a few minutes. Scrape down sides as needed. Taste to see if it needs more lemon, salt or vinegar.

  • Pour into an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 hours to firm it up. It will keep about 4-5 days.

Notes

  • If you're unsure how salty or tangy you want the sour cream to be, it's best to use less lemon, vinegar and salt to start. You can always taste and add more after blending.
  • I get a perfect consistency every time with the listed ingredient amounts. However, If you feel your sour cream is too thick, you can add a few teaspoons of unsweetened non-dairy milk, yogurt or water to thin it out. Add more as needed but only a small amount at a time to avoid a runny consistency.
  • If you don't have a high-speed blender, the sour cream may not get smooth enough.
  • I prefer to use my high-powered blender over a food processor for this recipe because It yields smoother results.
  • Some non-dairy yogurt brands have an off-white color, which will make your sour cream slightly off-white. It won't affect the tastiness though. I prefer So Delicious for its color and thickness.* If you can't find unsweetened non-dairy yogurt, you can use plain. Look for one that has the least amount of sugar to avoid a slight sweet taste.
  • I leave the cashews in the fridge while they are soaking.
  • Prep time doesn't include soaking time.
  • Yields about 1 cup.
  • If you have lactic acid, you can use that in replace of the lemon juice. It adds a similar tangy flavor that cultured cheese has. I usually add 1 ¼ teaspoons. You may need to add a few teaspoons of water or non-dairy milk to make up the liquid portion of the lemon juice. Blend first and then decide.
  • The cashews must soak for a minimum of 6 hours or they will produce gritty results.
  • For an extra hint of flavor, add ⅛ teaspoon granulated onion.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 76kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 148mg | Potassium: 79mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 2.6mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 0.8mg

Tried this recipe?Follow me @veganhuggs and mention #veganhuggs!

Vegan Sour Cream Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is vegan sour cream made of? ›

Vegan Sour Cream Tips

This dairy-free sauce is made with rich and creamy raw cashews, water, tangy lemon juice and apple cider vinegar, salt, and a dab of Dijon mustard for additional complexity and intrigue. This sour cream is easy to make in a blender.

How to make your own sour cream? ›

Whisk together one cup of cream and one teaspoon of distilled white vinegar or lemon juice in a clean mason jar. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then add ¼ cup of whole milk. Stir well to combine. Cover the jar with a lid or cheesecloth secured with a rubber band, and let it sit at room temperature for 24-48 hours.

What are the ingredients in Violife sour cream? ›

Filtered Water, Coconut Oil, Food Starch-Modified (Potato, Tapioca), Salt (Sea Salt), Citrus Fibers, Glucono Delta-Lactone, Lactic Acid, Dextrose, Dried Banana Powder, Flavor (vegan sources), Olive Extract, Beta Carotene (color), Vitamin B12.

Does vegan sour cream exist? ›

Sour cream is made from real dairy cream so contains animal products. This recipe, however, uses soy milk and vegetable oil to achieve a thick, spoonable sour cream with a delicious tangy flavour. Q: What is vegan sour cream made of? A: Most vegan sour creams are made of soaked blended cashews or blended tofu.

How do you make sour cream if you don't have it? ›

If you run out, you can make a sour cream substitute with no cooking and very little effort. All you need is three ingredients (milk, distilled white vinegar, and heavy cream) and 24-48 hours to let it ferment and thicken.

Is there a dairy-free version of sour cream? ›

Sour cream is a dairy product made from cream fermented with lactic acid bacteria. Alternatives may include plain yogurt or cottage cheese, and dairy-free alternatives can include soya cream or soaked, blended cashews. Some people may want to substitute sour cream for an alternative.

What ingredient is the best substitute for sour cream? ›

Yogurt is your best substitute for sour cream. Whether you're baking or making a dip or sauce, yogurt is a 1:1 sub. That means if your recipe calls for 1 cup of sour cream, you can replace it with 1 cup of yogurt. Full-fat Greek or natural yogurts work best, but low-fat or even nonfat can be used, too.

How do you turn yogurt into sour cream? ›

All you need to do is add a few tablespoons of lemon juice or vinegar to the yogurt and stir it until the yogurt has thickened. The acid in the lemon juice or vinegar will cause the yogurt to thicken and separate, just like sour cream would.

How was sour cream originally made? ›

The Facts. Early versions of sour cream were created when fresh milk was left to sit at room temperature and the cream rose to the surface. Naturally occurring bacteria soured it.

Can you substitute milk for sour cream in a recipe? ›

1. Sour Cream or Yogurt. Sour cream or full fat yogurt can be substituted 1:1 for whole milk. Use this substitute in baking quick breads or for adding creaminess to pan sauces.

Is Violife really vegan? ›

Bring rich creaminess to your sandwiches or whip up thick, smooth icing with Violife Just Like Cream Cheese Original. 100% free from dairy, soy, gluten, lactose, nuts, and preservatives, this vegan spread brings delectable cream cheese texture and flavor made with coconut oil and enriched with Vitamin B12.

What country is Violife from? ›

We are a vegan-dedicated community based in the beautiful Thessalonica, Greece, committed to making amazingly tasting, 100% plant based foods since the 90's.

Does Trader Joe's have vegan sour cream? ›

The Trader Joe's Vegan Sour Cream Alternative contains a mix of coconut oil, corn starch, and potato starch, making it a 1:1 replacement for all your go-to sour cream applications. You can find us using it as a veggie dip as well as a topping for soup!

Is Vegan sour cream healthier than regular sour cream? ›

While traditional sour cream is often high in saturated fat, vegan alternatives tend to be healthier. This is because instead of dairy, they often rely on nuts, which are a source of protein and other essential nutrients, like B vitamins.

What is vegan cream made of? ›

Plant cream is an imitation of dairy cream made without dairy products, and thus vegan. It is typically produced by grinding plant material into a thick liquid to which gums are added to imitate the viscosity and mouthfeel of cream. Common varieties are soy cream, coconut cream, and cashew cream.

What is a non dairy substitute for sour cream in a recipe? ›

Mix the coconut milk with 1 to 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to give it the tangy edge that sour cream is known for. If a recipe calls for one cup of sour cream, use one cup of coconut milk plus the acid.

What is the alternative ingredient for sour cream? ›

Yogurt is your best substitute for sour cream. Whether you're baking or making a dip or sauce, yogurt is a 1:1 sub. That means if your recipe calls for 1 cup of sour cream, you can replace it with 1 cup of yogurt. Full-fat Greek or natural yogurts work best, but low-fat or even nonfat can be used, too.

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