Every year, people are becoming more health conscious when it comes to food. Calories count. Sometimes we want to cut extra calories in the foods we prepare for our families. Sour cream substitutes are one of the ways that we can reduce the amount of fat and calories in our diets, while still preparing those dishes that call for sour cream.
Low-Fat Sour Cream
The obvious choice is to substitute low-fat or fat-free sour cream. It has the same consistency as regular sour cream and tastes almost identical. Both are readily available in stores, and are comparable to regular sour cream in price.
Plain Low-Fat Yogurt
Another healthy sour cream substitute is plain yogurt. Use the low-fat version or fat free if you are trying to cut down on calories. Replace sour cream in your recipe with an equal amount of yogurt. You may notice that the consistency of the food is a bit thinner when using yogurt, but the taste is pleasant and hard to differentiate. Avoid using the non-fat variety in baked goods, as it tends to break down in high heat.
Make Your Own
If you are feeling creative, you can replace the high fat content of sour cream with a higher protein substitute made from cottage cheese.
2 tbsp. low-fat milk
1 tbsp. white vinegar
1 cup of low- or non-fat cottage cheese
Blend all ingredients together in your blender or food processor until creamy.
The homemade substitute can be used in place of equal parts sour cream. This recipe is especially good in dips or as a garnish on foods.
Quark
Quark is a smooth cheese from central Europe that is becoming increasingly available in U.S. stores. Its creamy consistency and rich flavor make it a good substitute for sour cream. Low-fat and fat-free varieties are also becoming more popular. Quark is also an excellent source of protein.
Tags: sour cream, available stores, becoming more, cottage cheese, regular sour