50+ Sour Cream Recipes You Can Make at Home

Sour cream adds tanginess and creaminess to so many recipes. Here are our favorite Sour Cream Recipes, including dips, desserts, appetizers, baked goods, entrees, and soups starring this versatile dairy product.

50+ Sour Cream Recipes You Can Make at Home

How Long Can Sour Cream Sit Out?

While it’s typical for sour cream to sit out at a party or during a meal, it is a perishable dairy product that should be refrigerated immediately after use.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services recommends that soft or liquid dairy products, including sour cream, be discarded if stored above 40°F for over two hours.

Can You Put Sour Cream in the Microwave?

In general, sour cream shouldn’t be microwaved unless incorporated into a recipe. However, this dairy-based topping can be heated as long as a few basic rules are followed.

Firstly, sour cream should never be microwaved in its original plastic container, as heating plastic may cause unsafe chemicals to leech into the product.

Set aside the amount of sour cream you plan to use, then transfer it to a microwave-safe container, such as a ramekin, before heating.

Sour cream doesn’t handle temperature changes well, and overheating may cause curdling. Heat sour cream in increments of 15 to 20 seconds per tablespoon. Any sour cream that has previously been heated shouldn’t be reused again.

How to Store Sour Cream

For safety and quality reasons, sour cream keeps best when refrigerated at a consistent temperature of 40°F or below. Do not keep any fresh sour cream at room temperature for more than two hours.

How to Freeze Sour Cream

Although it is safe to freeze sour cream, doing so isn’t recommended due to adverse changes to its texture. As sour cream is frozen, the fat and liquid naturally separate, resulting in lumpiness when defrosted to room temperature.

If your recipe featuring sour cream hinges more on its tangy taste than its silky texture, consider portioning it into a freezer-safe container. For example, freezing sour cream in silicone ice cube trays makes it easy to melt individual cubes into soups and stews.

The USDA doesn’t offer any guidelines about freezing sour cream since it also recommends against keeping the dairy-based topping frozen. However, the USDA states that yogurt, a similar product to sour cream, is safe to freeze at 0°F for one to two months.

Due to the risk of bacterial growth, refreezing frozen sour cream after thawing isn’t recommended.

Sour Cream Substitute

The shorter lifespan of sour cream means that it is one of the first items in your fridge to spoil. It’s also possible that your entire container went toward your last recipe that required sour cream. Regardless of why you’ve run out, consider these sour cream substitutes when you’re in a pinch.

Yogurt

Plain yogurt - in particular, plain Greek yogurt - is our go-to sour cream alternative. It has the thickness and tang of sour cream and can be swapped at a 1:1 ratio.

Mayonnaise

While mayo lacks the tang of sour cream, this fridge staple has a similar texture and adds moisture to baked goods. Use mayonnaise at a 1:1 ratio.

Buttermilk

Buttermilk is a baker’s staple that can take the place of sour cream in baked goods. Due to its thinner texture, swap using ¾ cup per cup of sour cream.

Cream Cheese

The same cream cheese spread onto your morning bagel makes for a great sour cream alternative. Substitute cream cheese at a 1:1 ratio for any skillet recipes. Otherwise, whisk cream cheese with a few tablespoons of milk or buttermilk to thin it out for dips.

How to Tell If Sour Cream Is Bad

Sour cream past its peak is distinguishable by an off odor, mold growth, or discoloration.

Fresh sour cream only lasts in the refrigerator for one to two weeks after opening, so it’s crucial to stay ahead of any signs that your sour cream has spoiled.

Is Sour Cream Vegetarian?

Sour cream is suitable for vegetarians who still consume dairy products. Otherwise, many vegan sour cream options are available at your local supermarket or health food store.

Sour cream is such a versatile ingredient. You can use it in dip recipes, soups, breads, entrees and more!

Leftover Sour Cream can be used to make creamy sauces, decadent dips, and baking desserts everyone will love.

Sour Cream Dips

These Sour Cream Recipes use store-bought sour cream but you can use homemade sour cream if you have it. While we all know a dollop of sour cream on a baked potato is amazing I think you will love all of these recipes that use sour cream.

Using sour cream adds a tangy flavor perfect for dips. These recipes make a great snack, perfect for veggies, or served as a side dish.

3 Ingredient Creamy Hidden Valley Ranch Dip

We love adding this easy-to-make ranch dip to grilled cheese sandwiches. The creamy texture is amazing!

Knorr Spinach Dip

With this spinach dip made easily by Knorr vegetable mix, you’re only ten minutes of prep time away from the perfect party dip.

7 Layer Taco Dip

This seven-layer Mexican-inspired dip is a tailgating or home-gating must-have.

3 Ingredient Potato Chip Dip

We made this copycat Lawson’s chip dip in honor of National Chip and Dip Day, which you can celebrate each March 23rd.

Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip With Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Serve this elevated slow cooker dip Italian-style with bruschetta chips.

BLT Dip Recipe

This deconstructed BLT dip oozes creativity and serves well with sturdy chips.

Fiesta Ranch Dip Recipe

Rotel turns four ordinary ingredients into a Southwest-inspired veggie and tortilla chip dip. To meet continued snacking needs, leftovers refrigerate very well.

Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip Recipe

Cheesy, meaty, and tangy from the ranch, this flavor-filled dip turns into a quick dinner or appetizer when served with chips.

Crock Pot Bacon Blue Cheese Dip

Blue cheese makes this cheesy dip rich and adds a hint of color next to the bacon bits. Serve this yummy dip with toasted baguettes or crackers.

Creamy Spinach Artichoke Dip

This Labor Day-ready dip is made extra tangy and bold with Miracle Whip.

Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip

Since we first made this dip for a barbecue, we served it islander-style in a Hawaiian Sweet Bread bowl with a side of cubed sweet rolls for dipping.

Crock Pot Mexican Spinach Dip Recipe

Add a south-of-the-border twist to your tailgate dip rotation with our Crock Pot Mexican Spinach Dip.

Creme Brûlée Cheesecake Bars Recipe

We love delightful recipes that come together in a breeze, like this crème Brulé-inspired blend of cheesecake and cookie bar.

Mint Lemonade Cupcake Recipe

Mint and lemonade are so refreshing on a summer day, so why not turn them into the perfect seasonal cupcake?

Guinness Chocolate Cake Recipe

The Irish beer stout Guinness gives this St. Patrick’s Day chocolate Bundt cake a richer, more complex chocolate flavor.

Guinness Chocolate Cake Pop Recipe

Guinness and chocolate are a natural pairing in this recipe for fun-to-make and extra chocolatey cake pops.

Sour Cream Side Dishes

Some of our favorite side dishes include potato salad, pasta salad, sheet pan nachos, and so many more!

Delicious Easy Fruit Salad Recipe

This fruit salad is sweet, satisfying, and pleasantly nostalgic.

Hasselback Potatoes

Impress your dinner guests with these first-class slotted baked potatoes filled with cheese and bacon.

Creamed Corn Casserole Recipe

Only five pantry staples are needed to put together this creamed corn casserole.

Easy and Delicious Broccoli Casserole Recipe

Add this creamy and comforting broccoli casserole to your menu for the holidays.

Grape Salad Recipe

This Southern Grape Salad recipe is so easy to make and tastes amazing.

Cheesy Bacon Potato Skins Recipe

You won’t miss restaurant-made potato skins once you learn how easily the homemade version comes together.

Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes Crock Pot Recipe

These herby and garlicky slow cooker mashed potatoes are great for the holidays.

Crock Pot Mashed Cauliflower

This health-conscious alternative has all the flavor of loaded mashed potatoes.

7 Layer Salad Recipe (With Homemade Dressing)

Each layer pops with color in this classic seven-layer salad served in a trifle dish.

Funeral Potatoes

This cheesy make-ahead potato casserole serves a large group when you have little time to spare.

Cheesy Green Beans Recipe

Cornflakes and a heaping layer of cheese give this classic holiday side a makeover.

How to Make a Scotch Egg Recipe

We tried our hand at these homemade scotch eggs after seeing them appear on many restaurant menus on our travels.

Jiffy Cornbread With Sour Cream

Sour cream adds the perfect amount of moisture to this cornbread, which also takes just over half an hour to make.

Banana Bread With Sour Cream

Feel free to experiment with your favorite spices in this simple recipe for moist banana bread.

Crazy Easy 7-Up Biscuits Recipe

This four-ingredient biscuit recipe gets its airy and fluffy texture from the popular lemon-lime soda.

Crock Pot Cornbread Recipe

This fluffy cornbread is proof that anything can be slow-cooked to perfection.

Snickerdoodle Muffin Recipe

This muffin recipe draws inspiration from our favorite cinnamon sugar cookie.

Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff Recipe

This Crock Pot beef stroganoff is hearty enough to please even the most staunch meat-and-potatoes guest at the table. The combination of egg noodles, sour cream sauce, and meat makes this the perfect comfort food.

Chicken Casserole With Ritz Crackers Recipe

Pair this comfort food casserole with our Creamed Corn Casserole and Bisquick Peach Cobbler.

Swedish Meatballs Crockpot Recipe

Swedish meatball leftovers double as an excellent meatball sandwich filling.

Crockpot Mushroom Pasta Casserole

Mushroom lovers will delight in this pantry-staple-made pasta casserole.

John Wayne Casserole Recipe

The John Wayne Casserole is named after none other than the iconic actor. Bisquick Biscuit Mix gives this comforting casserole a biscuity base, and Rotel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies, topped with cheddar cheese add some fresh heat to the dinnertime table.

Slow Cooker Crock Pot Ham and Swiss Casserole Recipe

Although this recipe didn’t come together until the third try, we’re confident that it will soon become one of your favorite ways to use leftover ham.

Loaded Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Sour cream turns up the creaminess of these slow-cooked loaded mashed potatoes.

Crock Pot Bacon Ranch Chicken Recipe

This recipe makes tender, versatile, and flavorful chicken that goes great on pasta or in sandwiches and sliders.

Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole Recipe

We love this cheesy hash brown casserole and other Cracker Barrel favorites, like pecan pancakes and fried apples

Crock Pot Taco Casserole Recipe

Choose your favorite Ro-Tel flavor to control the spice level in this Mexican-inspired taco casserole. Pair with rice and you have an epic meal

Crock Pot Taco Pasta Recipe

We like to add diced jalapeños to this slow-cooker taco pasta recipe for added heat.  Your favorite tacos in pasta casserole form

Crock Pot Porter Stroganoff Recipe

In this take on the classic stroganoff, beef sirloin is simmered with porter beer, cream of mushroom soup, and tangy sour cream.

Crock Pot Steak Stroganoff Recipe

This steak stroganoff is satisfying and warm on a cold Spokane winter day.

Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Tostadas Recipe

Zesty and full of texture, tostadas are the perfect warm-weather meal to have with your favorite margarita.

Crock Pot Spicy Chicken Chili Recipe

We love how the spicy aromas of this slow-cooker chicken chili linger as it cooks.

Bacon Pot Pie Recipe

This savory bacon pot pie was a welcome change after cooking eight pounds of chicken over a month.

Crock Pot Buffalo Sloppy Joes Recipe

Scoop these buffalo sauce sloppy joes onto the bottom of toasted buns for restaurant-quality sliders.

Crock Pot White Chicken Chili Recipe

Rotisserie chicken and Bush’s White Chili Beans make this Crock Pot chili flavorful and filling.

Crockpot Ham and Potato Soup Recipe

This soothing soup uses up leftover holiday ham and requires ingredients likely already in your kitchen.

Crockpot Creamy Potato Soup With Bacon Recipe

Using an immersion blender makes this potato and bacon soup extra creamy and indulgent.

Spicy Taco Soup Crockpot Recipe

Our spicy taco soup works wonderfully when you need a kick of spice served hot.

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