Mayonnaise and sour cream are both creamy, emulsified condiments that can be used interchangeably in some recipes. However, they are not exactly the same in terms of texture and taste. Knowing how much mayonnaise to substitute for sour cream requires understanding the differences between the two ingredients.
The Main Differences Between Mayonnaise and Sour Cream
While mayonnaise and sour cream are both oil-in-water emulsions, they do have some key differences:
- Fat content – Mayonnaise has a higher fat content, around 70-80% fat, while sour cream is only 30-40% fat.
- Acidity – Sour cream has a tangy, acidic taste from lactic acid while mayonnaise does not.
- Thickness – Sour cream is thicker than mayonnaise.
- Uses – Sour cream is more commonly used in baked goods and dips while mayonnaise is more often used as a sandwich condiment.
Due to its higher fat content, mayonnaise has a richer, more unctuous mouthfeel. Sour cream has a lighter texture but provides more tartness. When substituting one for the other, these textural and flavor differences need to be taken into account.
Substitution Ratio for Mayonnaise and Sour Cream
In most cases, the best substitution ratio to use is:
- 1 cup of sour cream = 3/4 cup mayonnaise + 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup mayonnaise = 1 1/4 cups sour cream
The added lemon juice helps balance out the lack of acidity from the mayonnaise. Using less mayonnaise than sour cream accommodates the difference in richness and fat content. When going the other way from mayo to sour cream, more volume is needed to achieve a similar thickness.
Tips for Replacing Sour Cream with Mayonnaise
Here are some handy tips for using mayonnaise in place of sour cream:
- In cooked dishes, add the mayonnaise at the end so it doesn’t break down from excessive heat.
- For raw applications like dips, stir in a little lemon juice, white vinegar, or buttermilk to mimic the tang.
- Thin out the mayo with milk or water if the texture is too thick.
- Blend in a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt for extra thickness.
- Add a pinch of sugar if the mayo tastes too eggy.
Best Uses for Mayonnaise Substitution
The best recipes to substitute mayo for sour cream include:
- Dips – Chip dips, veggie dips, crab dips
- Salad dressings – Especially creamy dressings like ranch, blue cheese, etc.
- Baked goods – Cakes, cookies, muffins
- Frostings and icings
- Casseroles or gratin
- Mashed potatoes
- Potato salad or coleslaw
- Soups – As a garnish or stirred in
The mayonnaise works well in recipes where you want that extra richness. The acidity and tang from sour cream can sometimes be replicated by adding lemon juice or vinegar to the mayo.
Dishes to Avoid with Mayo Substitution
There are some recipes where sour cream is too integral to substitute:
- Icing or filling in cakes – The tang is important for balance
- Frostings with powdered sugar – The mayo can make it runny
- Cream sauces – The mayo can curdle if boiled
- Recipes where sour cream is mixed with an acid like citrus – This can curdle the mayo
In these cases, the acidity and the delicate nature of mayonnaise are problematic. It’s best to use real sour cream or an alternate like plain Greek yogurt.
Substitution Amounts by Volume
For handy reference, here are substitution amounts for mayonnaise and sour cream by volume:
| Sour Cream | Mayonnaise |
|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon | 3/4 teaspoon |
| 1 tablespoon | 2 1/4 teaspoons |
| 2 tablespoons | 1 1/2 tablespoons |
| 1/4 cup | 3 tablespoons |
| 1/3 cup | 1/4 cup |
| 1/2 cup | 6 tablespoons |
| 2/3 cup | 1/2 cup |
| 3/4 cup | 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons |
| 1 cup | 3/4 cup |
When substituting mayo for sour cream, you’ll typically use about 25% less mayo. The creamier texture means a little goes a long way. Don’t forget to add a bit of lemon juice or vinegar to replicate that sour cream tang.
Substitution Amounts by Weight
For the most accurate substitution, here are the weights to use when replacing sour cream with mayonnaise:
| Sour Cream | Mayonnaise |
|---|---|
| 1 oz | 0.75 oz |
| 2 oz | 1.5 oz |
| 4 oz (1/2 cup) | 3 oz |
| 8 oz (1 cup) | 6 oz |
| 16 oz (2 cups) | 12 oz |
| 32 oz (4 cups) | 24 oz |
Using a kitchen scale helps get the right fat and moisture content for the most seamless substitution. Remember to adjust any accompanying flavors like salt, spices, herbs, etc. to taste after substituting.
Key Takeaways
Here are the key takeaways for substituting mayonnaise for sour cream:
- Use 3/4 cup mayo + 1 tablespoon lemon juice for every 1 cup sour cream.
- Mayonnaise should be used in a 25% lesser amount than sour cream.
- Add lemon juice or vinegar to mimic sour cream’s tangy flavor.
- Avoid boiling or baking mayo at high heat to prevent curdling.
- Keep the substitution ratio in mind for recipes like cake or frostings.
- A kitchen scale helps dial in the best mayo-to-sour cream ratio.
- Adjust other seasonings to taste after substituting mayo for sour cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does mayonnaise work as a sour cream substitute?
Mayonnaise makes a decent sour cream substitute because of its similar creamy, emulsified texture. Adding a bit of acidity with lemon juice or vinegar also helps mimic that tangy sour cream flavor.
Is plain Greek yogurt a good substitute for sour cream too?
Yes, plain Greek yogurt is an excellent sour cream substitute. Its thick, creamy texture works well in place of sour cream. The yogurt’s natural tang also means you don’t need to add any extra acidity.
Can I use light mayonnaise instead of regular mayonnaise when substituting?
You can try light mayonnaise but you will need to use a little more compared to regular mayonnaise, around 1 1/4 times as much. Light mayo has less fat so adding more helps keep the right richness and moisture level.
What’s a good vegan substitute for sour cream?
Some popular vegan sour cream substitutes include cashew cream, coconut cream, blended silken tofu, and vegan yogurt. Adding lemon juice gives these a tangy flavor like real sour cream.
Is sour cream interchangeable with heavy cream too?
No, heavy cream and sour cream cannot reliably be substituted for one another. Heavy cream has much higher fat content and less moisture. Sour cream provides a nice tangy flavor that heavy cream lacks.
Conclusion
With some simple ingredient tweaks and ratio adjustments, mayonnaise can work in place of sour cream for a variety of baked goods, dips, dressings, and more. Just keep in mind that the texture and flavor won’t be exactly the same as real sour cream. But in many recipes, mayo makes an acceptable substitute when you’re in a pinch. With the proper substitutions and usage, you can still achieve great results.