Homemade Sour Cream
Making homemade sour cream couldn't be easier. With just two simple ingredients and a few minutes of kitchen time, you can create a rich, creamy, tangy sour cream that's perfect for dips, baked potatoes, tacos and soups.
This easy homemade version has a wonderfully fresh flavor and silky texture that's hard to beat. I've used it to make my lemon sour cream dip and it turned out SO good.
I always enjoy making homemade staples whenever I can. I've tried making homemade almond milk and homemade coconut cream, and this sour cream has to be one of the easiest recipes to prepare from scratch. There are no complicated steps or special equipment involved- simply mix the ingredients together and let time do the work.
The result is a creamy, slightly tangy sour cream that's delicious in both savory and sweet recipes, and it's incredibly satisfying to make yourself.
Quick Look: Homemade Sour Cream
- 🔪 Prep time: 5 mins.
- ⏲️ Resting time: 24 hours.
- 👪 Servings: About 2 cups.
- 📋 Main ingredients: Heavy cream and fresh lemon juice.
- ♨️ Cooking method: Mix → rest → refrigerate.
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy.
- 🥣 Serving ideas: Use for baked potatoes, spicy shrimp tacos, nachos, soups, dips, baked goods, and desserts.
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What's So Great About the Recipe?
- You'll need only two ingredients, and it is incredibly easy to make. Simply mix and let it rest.
- It is rich and creamy- just like my homemade mascarpone cheese, and perfect for both savory dishes and desserts.
- It is great for meal prep. You can make a batch ahead of time and keep it refrigerated for whenever you need it.
Recipe Ingredients
Heavy cream: Forms the rich, creamy base of the sour cream. I used it as a base for my homemade pastry cream too.
Fresh lemon juice: Naturally thickens the cream while adding a subtle tangy flavor.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Stir in chopped fresh chives, dried dill or even some dried parsley after the sour cream has thickened to lend it some freshness.
- Add a pinch of garlic powder and black pepper to make a quick dip. I like adding my garlic parsley salt or mixed herb salt for extra flavor.
- You can also mix in finely chopped jalapenos or dried jalapeno flakes for a spicy version that's perfect for tacos and nachos.
How to Make Homemade Sour Cream
Step 1: Pour the room-temperature heavy cream into a clean glass jar.
Step 2: Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Step 3: Stir nicely.
Step 4: Cover the jar with a cheesecloth or muslin cloth and secure. Store at room temperature for 24 hours.
💭Top Tip
Use room-temperature heavy cream before adding the lemon juice. It helps the mixture thicken more effectively and develop a smoother texture.
Tips & Tricks to Nail the Recipe
- Use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled juice for the best flavor.
- Make sure the cream is at room temperature before mixing.
- Cover the jar with a breathable cloth rather than a tight lid while it rests. Avoid disturbing the mixture during the 24-hour resting period.
- Refrigerate after thickening to help the sour cream firm up even more. I realized this when I was using it to make my sour cream dill pickle dip.
How to Use Homemade Sour Cream
Homemade sour cream is incredibly versatile. Serve it Mexican baked potatoes, tacos, burritos, nachos, spicy Chili con Carne, soups or even as a topping with chicken Fajita rice bowl, or a hearty Elote casserole. It also tastes incredible with Mexican breakfast foods like Huevos Rancheros or Migas con Huevos.
I also love using it as a base to make a Mexican sour cream sauce, which I pair with my favorite Texas toothpicks.
Troubleshooting and FAQs
Transfer the sour cream to an airtight container or keep it in the same jar with a sealed lid and refrigerate for upto a week.
Make sure you used room-temperature heavy cream and allowed it to rest undisturbed for the full 24 hours.
More Homemade Essentials
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
If you tried this homemade sour cream recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Homemade Sour Cream
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 lemon juiced
Instructions
- Pour the heavy cream into a clean glass jar.
- Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice and stir well.
- Cover the jar with a cheesecloth or muslin cloth and secure it with an elastic band.
- Leave it at room temperature for 24 hours.
- Once thickened, stir gently.
- Use immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Room-temperature heavy cream gives the best results.
- Fresh lemon juice provides the brightest flavor.
- Refrigerating the sour cream after it thickens gives it an even creamier texture.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
