Cream Cheese + Milk Substitute for Sour Cream: Exact Ratio
Looking for a sour cream substitute? Cream Cheese + Milk works as a direct replacement. Use 6 oz cream cheese + 2 tbsp milk + 1 tsp lemon juice in any recipe that calls for sour cream. This swap works best for dips, frostings, cheesecakes.
Best Substitute
Cream Cheese + Milk
6 oz cream cheese + 2 tbsp milk + 1 tsp lemon juice
Soften cream cheese and whisk with milk and lemon juice until smooth and pourable.
Flavor & Texture Change
Richer, creamier, and less tangy than sour cream. Makes baked goods denser and more moist. Excellent in cheesecake and creamy dips.
When Not to Use
Richer and denser than sour cream. May need to thin with more milk than expected. Not suitable for recipes where sour cream's tanginess is the main flavor.
Tips When Replacing Sour Cream in Recipes
Sour cream adds moisture and tenderness to baked goods through its fat and acidity. In baking, it also activates baking soda. When used as a topping, the tang is key, so add lemon juice to neutral-flavored substitutes.
What Is Sour Cream and Why Substitute It?
A thick, tangy cultured dairy product made by fermenting cream with lactic acid bacteria. Used as a topping, in baking for moisture and tenderness, and in dips and dressings.
Cream Cheese + Milk is one of 5 alternatives you can use instead of sour cream. For a complete list of sour cream substitutes with ratios and cooking tips, visit the full sour cream substitute page.
What Else Can I Use Instead of Sour Cream?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use cream cheese + milk instead of sour cream?
Yes, you can use cream cheese + milk as a substitute for sour cream. Use 6 oz cream cheese + 2 tbsp milk + 1 tsp lemon juice. Soften cream cheese and whisk with milk and lemon juice until smooth and pourable.
How much cream cheese + milk equals sour cream?
Use 6 oz cream cheese + 2 tbsp milk + 1 tsp lemon juice to replace sour cream with cream cheese + milk. Works best for dips, frostings, cheesecakes.
What is the best substitute for sour cream?
Cream Cheese + Milk is a popular substitute for sour cream. Use 6 oz cream cheese + 2 tbsp milk + 1 tsp lemon juice for a 1-to-1 replacement. See all 5 alternatives on our sour cream substitute page.
Does cream cheese + milk change the taste when replacing sour cream?
Richer and denser than sour cream. May need to thin with more milk than expected. Not suitable for recipes where sour cream's tanginess is the main flavor.