Quick Answer
No, vegans cannot eat sour cream. Sour cream is made from dairy, which comes from cows. Since vegans do not consume any animal products, sour cream is not vegan. There are, however, some delicious vegan sour cream alternatives that can be used in place of regular sour cream.
What is Sour Cream?
Sour cream is a dairy product made by fermenting regular cream with lactic acid bacteria. It has a thick, creamy texture with a tangy, sour taste. Sour cream contains about 18-20% milk fat and gets its signature flavor from the lactic acid that forms during the fermentation process.
Some of the common uses for sour cream include:
- Topping for baked potatoes, tacos or chili
- Dip for tortilla chips or fresh vegetables
- Baking ingredient in cakes, cookies or muffins
- Garnish for soups like borscht or potato soup
Sour cream is associated with Eastern European cuisines, especially Russian, Polish and Hungarian recipes. It’s now popular worldwide and used across many different regional cuisines.
Why Sour Cream Isn’t Vegan
Sour cream is not considered vegan because it contains dairy which comes from cows. Here are some key reasons why vegans do not eat sour cream:
- Made from cream – Cream is the high-fat part of milk, made by separating fat from the milk protein and water. So it relies on the use of cow’s milk.
- Contains milk ingredients – In addition to cream, sour cream contains milk proteins like casein and whey.
- Production uses animal enzymes – The fermentation process often relies on rennet, an enzyme complex extracted from the stomach lining of calves.
For vegans who avoid all animal products and by-products, these ingredients make regular sour cream off-limits.
Ethical Concerns With Dairy Production
In addition to avoiding dairy ingredients themselves, vegans also cite ethical concerns with mainstream dairy production practices:
- Separating calves from mothers – To harvest milk, cows are separated from calves shortly after birth, causing distress.
- Killing male calves – Male calves are considered waste by-products and often killed for veal or cheap beef.
- Repeated pregnancies – Cows are artificially inseminated each year to keep milk production high.
- Early slaughter – Dairy cows are typically slaughtered at 4-6 years old when milk yield starts declining.
Due to these welfare and ethical issues, vegans oppose the use of dairy products like sour cream.
Health Issues With Dairy
Some vegans also avoid dairy for health reasons:
- Lactose intolerance – Around 65% of adults have reduced ability to digest lactose after infancy.
- Milk allergies – Milk is one of the most common food allergens, especially in children.
- Hormones & antibiotics – Traces of hormones and antibiotics given to dairy cows may end up in milk and dairy products.
By not consuming regular dairy, including sour cream, vegans can avoid digestive issues, allergic reactions and exposure to such compounds.
Popular Vegan Sour Cream Brands
Thankfully for vegans, there are now many delicious dairy-free sour cream options on the market:
| Brand | Base Ingredients | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Tofutti | Water, vegetable oil, vinegar, pea protein, guar gum | Well-stocked grocery stores |
| Kite Hill | Almond milk, sunflower oil, vinegar, lemon juice | Whole Foods, specialty stores |
| Good Planet | Oat milk, expeller-pressed canola oil, vinegar | Online, specialty stores |
| WayFare | Filtered water, coconut oil, potato starch | Whole Foods, online |
| Follow Your Heart | Filtered water, expeller-pressed oil, starch | Well-stocked grocery stores |
| Daiya | Filtered water, expeller-pressed oil, pea protein | Whole Foods, well-stocked grocers |
As you can see, all of these popular brands use plant-based ingredients like nut milks, oils and starches to create the thick, rich texture of sour cream. They rely on acids like vinegar or lemon juice to provide the characteristic tang.
The specific base ingredients vary – some are soy-free, some are nut-free for allergies, etc. But all are dairy-free and vegan.
Tofutti
Tofutti is a pioneer in dairy-free foods, offering vegan sour cream since the 1980s. Their longtime bestseller contains no soy ingredients and has 5g of fat per serving. It’s kosher parve certified and available in most well-stocked grocery stores.
Kite Hill
Kite Hill makes creamy vegan yogurt and sour cream from California almonds. Their tangy sour cream contains only 40 calories and 1.5g fat per serving. It’s made without artificial flavors or thickeners. Kite Hill products are sold at Whole Foods and specialty markets.
Good Planet
Good Planet offers a variety of vegan cheeses and dips made from oat milk. Their sour cream gets tanginess from apple cider vinegar and contains only 60 calories per serving. It’s free of common allergens like soy, nuts and gluten. Purchase online or at natural grocers.
WayFare
Dairy-free brand WayFare makes their vegan sour cream with vitamin-fortified oat milk and coconut oil for a rich, smooth texture. It contains live active cultures for authentic flavor. Find it in the refrigerated section at Whole Foods and other markets.
Follow Your Heart
Follow Your Heart’s vegan sour cream has been popular with vegetarians and vegans for decades. This creamy, tangy condiment contains no hydrogenated oils or chemical preservatives. It’s non-GMO certified and Kosher Pareve. Widely available at mainstream grocery stores across the U.S.
Daiya
Leading vegan brand Daiya makes their dairy-free sour cream with a base of pea protein instead of starches. Each serving contains 1g of fat, 1g of fiber and 50% less sodium compared to regular sour cream. It’s smooth, creamy and tangy. Find Daiya foods in the refrigerated section of grocery stores like Whole Foods, Kroger and Safeway.
How to Make Your Own Vegan Sour Cream
It’s also easy to make rich, tangy vegan sour cream at home with just a few simple ingredients:
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight then drained
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 2-3 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
Directions:
- In a high-powered blender, puree the drained cashews with lemon juice, water, vinegar and salt until very smooth.
- With blender running, slowly stream in oil and blend until thick and creamy.
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least an hour before using.
- Keeps 5-7 days refrigerated.
Adjust consistency as needed with small amounts of water. Other nut milks or soft silken tofu can also be used as the base.
Non-Dairy Replacements for Sour Cream
Aside from the store-bought and homemade options above, some other non-dairy ingredients can mimic sour cream:
- Plain vegan yogurt – Has tanginess from live cultures. Works well in dressings or dips.
- Cashew cream – Made by blending raw cashews with water. Has rich texture.
- Tofu sour cream – Blend soft silken tofu with lemon juice and vinegar.
- Coconut cream – The thick part from a can of coconut milk. Has creamy rich mouthfeel.
With some seasoning, these dairy-free ingredients can replicate both the flavor and texture of regular sour cream.
Vegan Sour Cream Uses
Vegan sour cream can be used just like regular dairy sour cream in all sorts of recipes:
- Burritos or tacos
- Nachos
- Chili
- Baked potatoes
- Casseroles or soups
- Cakes or frostings
- Dips for chips, veggies or pretzels
It provides a cool, tangy contrast to spicy foods like chilies, tacos or curries. Vegan sour cream is also great for topping baked potatoes, making creamy salad dressings or using in baked goods.
Some vegan recipes that use sour cream:
- Chipotle black bean tartines with avocado sour cream
- Broccoli cheddar soup with cashew sour cream
- Baked potato bar with chives and sour cream
- Carrot cake with vegan ‘cream cheese’ frosting
- Chicken-less salad sandwiches with sour cream
- Cod cakes with lemon dill sour cream sauce
As you can see, vegan sour cream substitutes can be used in savory and sweet recipes alike. They provide the same rich, tangy flavor as dairy sour cream.
Vegan Bacon Bits
To take dishes like baked potatoes or nachos over the top, pair with vegan bacon bits in place of real bacon:
- Coconut bacon
- Tempeh bacon
- Seitan bacon
- Shiitake mushroom bacon
- Eggplant bacon
- Carrot bacon
- Store-bought bacon bits
These vegan bacon options add delicious smoky, salty, umami flavor without using real pork. Just like with sour cream, there are so many innovative ways for vegans to enjoy classic flavors.
Storing and Freezing Vegan Sour Cream
An opened carton of vegan sour cream should be used within 7-10 days. To extend its shelf life:
- Keep refrigerated at all times.
- Re-seal the package tightly after each use.
- Use a clean utensil each time to avoid contamination.
- Do not mix in other ingredients like herbs or chives, which can develop bacteria over time.
For longer term storage, vegan sour cream can be frozen in an airtight container for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using. The consistency may be slightly thinner after thawing but the flavor remains the same.
Nutrition Facts
Here is a nutritional comparison between regular full-fat sour cream and popular vegan brand Tofutti Sour Supreme:
| Regular Sour Cream (2 tbsp) | Tofutti Sour Supreme (2 tbsp) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 58 | 25 |
| Fat | 6g | 2g |
| Protein | 0.4g | 0g |
| Carbs | 1g | 1g |
| Sodium | 10mg | 55mg |
| Calcium | 14mg | 7mg |
As shown, vegan sour cream is significantly lower in calories, fat and cholesterol compared to the dairy version. It does contain more sodium, so check labels if limiting sodium intake.
Overall, vegan sour cream alternatives let you enjoy the creamy tang of sour cream without the ethical or dietary drawbacks of dairy!
The Bottom Line
Sour cream is not vegan, since it contains dairy. But vegans have many plant-based options for mimicking the rich, cool, tangy flavor of sour cream in recipes. Popular dairy-free brands offer sour cream made from almonds, coconuts, cassava and other vegan ingredients. It’s also easy to make your own at home. With some creative substitutions, vegans can enjoy “sour cream” on baked potatoes, in burritos, on nachos and more!