How to Make Sour Cream from scratch

Well almost from scratch unless you have a cow, sheep or goat to milk. We prefer to make our own sour cream (from yoghurt) these days to avoid sulphites and other additives (such as modified corn starch, gelatin, microcrystalline cellulose, colour, disodium phosphate, cellulose gum, carrageenan)  used in the making of commercial sour cream. There are lots of recipes online, so feel free to browse for your own preferences, but here is the recipe we use most often for baking, dipping and great with veggies or baked Sweet potato. Not only is it healthy and simple, you won't believe how delicious it is!

Sour Cream Directions

Homemade from yoghurt

• Take a container of plain yoghurt – 750 gram
• Tip contents into a cheese cloth lined strainer in a bowl
• Cover bowl securely with plastic wrap (wax paper and a rubber band work great)
• Place in fridge for 24 hours

Next day

• Place thick yoghurt into fresh bowl (and discard liquid or use for bread making)
• Add One Teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon - whisk vigorously
• Add One Teaspoon of hot water at a time – whisking in between – until consistency of sour cream (approximately 3 teaspoons)
• Cover and refrigerate for several hours before using
• Keeps 2 to 3 weeks refrigerated (ours is always gone long before then!)

Notes

• We mostly use (generic) natural yoghurt with no gelatin, no starch added and with active bacterial cultures.  We also use Greek yoghurt which has a unique flavour
• Always check 'use by' date (longer the better)
• This is a quick, failsafe way to make homemade sour cream
• Add additional fresh lemon juice according to personal taste
• Makes approximately 300 ml (1 ½ cups) of incredibly smooth cream

Updated: Christmas 2021

• Still a favourite after a decade plus
• Makes an excellent veggie dip by adding chopped garlic / chives / parsley / spices to the sour cream. Make to suit your taste
• Homemade sour cream is also perfect to add as a garnish on Pumpkin / or Cauliflower Coconut Soup and here's how to make Creamy Cauliflower & Coconut Soup - quick & easy from scratch
• Your family will devour devilled eggs made with your own homemade Sour Cream. How to Make Devilled Eggs

Links & References:

• Study: "Dietary strategies for remission of type 2 diabetes" 'Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a growing health issue globally' (July 2021)
• “What Exactly is Ultra Processed Food?” NOVA (January 2021) Caramel and Parsley
• "Sickeningly Sweet"article by Lewis C. Cantley, Ph.D., director of the Meyer Cancer Center (2019)
• Check out other informative articles in Caramel & Parsley's HEALTH category
• Caramel and Parsley Disclaimer