How To Make The BEST Dairy-Free Sour Cream!

A homemade dairy-free sour cream recipe that is Paleo, grain-free, and gluten-free?  A dollop to the top of my favorite Crockpot Paleo Turkey Chili convinced me I need this amazing dairy-free, soy-free sour cream in my life!

This simple dairy alternative to sour cream is super easy to make and so creamy delicious!

With the mild flavor of cashews, that are soaked and then blended super creamy, you’ll be amazed how close it resembles the real thing!

This recipe came from necessity. It’s not easy finding good, reasonably priced dairy-free sour cream.

My vegan cream cheese recipe is so delicious and authentic, I figured I would try a vegan sour cream as well.

During recipe testing, I slathered it on stuffed peppers (recipe coming soon) and I couldn’t get enough. 🙂

Is Sour Cream Considered A Dairy Product?

• Yes, it is created by fermenting cream with certain types of lactic acid bacteria, which sours and thickens the cream.

Can You Substitute Coconut Milk For Sour Cream?

• There is a recipe that uses coconut milk and lemon juice to create a dairy-free sour cream.  I have not tried this recipe, but, it’s an option and is nut-free as well.

How To Make The Best Dairy-Free Sour Cream:

• Place cashews in a glass bowl and cover with water.
• Set aside for at least four hours (but no longer than 8 hours or they may have an unpleasant flavor – bitter).

• Drain and rinse cashews and place them in a small food processor.
• Add the lime or lemon juice, coconut vinegar, water, and salt.

• Blend for 1-2 minutes until very creamy.  I love this mini-food processor for this task.  Any small food processor or high powered blender will work fine.  It will be silky, but not as thin as cashew cream, but not as thick as cashew butter.
• Optional: add a half cup of unsweetened dairy-free dairy yogurt.  The yogurt adds the creaminess and texture of delicious sour cream.

Other Dairy-Free Sauces To Try:

1. Whole30 Mayo
2. Paleo Mayo Recipe
3. Easy Guacamole

While there are dairy-free sour cream brands available in the grocery store, I enjoy the ease of making my own and controlling the ingredients.

Where To Use Dairy-Free Sour Cream:

Anywhere you would use regular sour cream.

Ideas to get the imagination flowing.

1. Garnish Chili and stews (Crockpot Paleo Chili)
2. In and on top of creamy soups (Paleo Butternut Squash Soup)
3. With Tacos
4. Use it to make an awesome sauce by adding herbs and flavorings.
5. In deviled eggs
6. To make salad dressings (example: ranch)
7. Add caramelized onions to make french onion dip (and other dips).
8. Make a dip by adding dried chives.
9. To make creamy Paleo mashed potatoes.
10. In twice baked potatoes
11. To make avocado cream
12. To top a bowl of fresh berries
13. To make tartar sauce
14. With nachos
15. Use as a dip for freshly chopped vegetables.
16. As an accompaniment to kebabs
17. Dip for crudites, potato wedges, french fries, and savory fritters.
18. Dollop on veggie or salmon cakes.
19. Drizzle over Whole30 meatballs, Whole30 sausage or burgers.
20. Great with Mexican food.

Below is the blended and super creamy dairy-free sour cream.

I store in a glass jar with a lid in the refrigerator for a few days.

Next time you need dairy-free sour cream, instead of buying, try this homemade recipe. 🙂

It’s easy and delicious.  Enjoy!

5 from 2 votes

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How To Make The BEST Dairy-Free Sour Cream!

Prep Time

10 mins

Total Time

10 mins

 

Easy and super creamy dairy-free sour cream that tastes like the real thing!  So authentic and can be used anywhere regular sour cream would be.

Course: Condiment, dressing/sauce

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4

Calories: 153 kcal

Author: Christine Galvani

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup whole raw cashews
• 2 teaspoons lime or lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon coconut vinegar (sub apple cider vinegar)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup dairy-free unsweetened yogurt

Instructions

1. Place cashews in a bowl, cover with water and soak for 4 hours.

2. Drain and rinse cashews and place them in a food processor.

3. To the cashews, add the other ingredients (lime or lemon juice or a combination of both), vinegar, water, and salt) in the food processor and blend for 1-2 minutes until very creamy.

4. Pour the sour cream into a mixing bowl, add the dairy-free yogurt and stir combine.

5. Use on your favorite foods.

6. Store in the refrigerator for up to a few days.  Best served cold.  

Nutrition Facts

How To Make The BEST Dairy-Free Sour Cream!

Amount Per Serving

Calories 153 Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 3g15%

Cholesterol 4mg1%

Sodium 309mg13%

Potassium 207mg6%

Carbohydrates 9g3%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 5g10%

Vitamin A 30IU1%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 46mg5%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.