8 Fantastic Sour Cream Substitutes for Tacos

Even though sour cream isn’t a standard ingredient in tacos, it isn’t unheard of to use it anyway. I actually prefer my tacos with sour cream because I just love the tangy freshness on top of my taco ingredients. Still, it couldn’t hurt to mix things up and use a sour cream substitute when you want to be creative, or when you simply don’t have any sour cream at home. So, what are the best sour cream substitutes for tacos? 

Greek yogurt, coconut cream, cashew cream, mayo, mashed avocado, Mexican crema, hummus, and cottage cheese are the best substitutes for sour cream in tacos that you can try. 

When substituting sour cream in tacos, it is unlikely to find a lot of products that would substitute for all aspects. Still, you can use various ingredients to substitute for what you particularly like when using sour cream in your tacos. To make things easier for you, in this article, I will share some great sour cream substitutes you can use in tacos. 

Mexican Crema 

When it comes to tacos, Mexican crema is the best substitute for sour cream. It delivers the sour cream tanginess offering the same refreshing element but with a distinct Mexican dimension. 

If you’re looking for an authentic Mexican flavor, Mexican crema will definitely not disappoint you. With its tangy and slightly sweet flavor and silky, creamy texture, Mexican crema is commonly used in tacos. 

When I want to substitute for the texture and liveliness sour cream gives my tacos, I use Mexican crema. It offers an additional bonus because it is slightly richer than sour cream, giving your taco an overall more sophisticated note. And it’s not even that hard to make!

Greek Yogurt 

Greek yogurt is an excellent substitute for sour cream, and not only for tacos but anywhere you would usually use sour cream. It is expressively tangy, just like sour cream, slightly salty, creamy, and soft. If you want the whole package and aren’t willing to compromise, substitute sour cream for Greek yogurt in your tacos. 

The amount you use is totally up to you. I like to use a little more Greek yogurt compared to the sour cream amount I usually add, but that’s just because I like the particular zesty sourness of the Greek yogurt. You can add as much or as little as you like.

Coconut Cream 

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Even though coconut cream won’t deliver the exact sour cream effect, it is still very much worth a try. You can easily make coconut cream at home by refrigerating a can of full-fat coconut milk and letting it overnight in the fridge. The solid and creamy parts will separate from the liquid giving you a delicious and natural coconut cream. 

For example, coconut cream works even better than sour cream if you like to experiment with tropical-style tacos, like seafood tacos. In any case, it will infuse your tacos with a rich and full flavor you just can’t get anywhere else. 

I like to add a few pineapple bits, just to add some tang to the taco, and splash some coconut cream. If you are into trying new things and discovering new flavors, give coconut cream a shot, you just might like it.

Cashew Cream 

If you are looking for a dairy-free sour cream alternative for your tacos, give cashew cream a chance. Simply soak cashews in water for a few hours or overnight until they are soft. You can make it at home with nothing else but cashew nuts and water. 

Once you strain them, blend the cashews with a little water, and you will have a delicious and creamy spread in under a minute. You can season the cashew cream with a bit of oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper and enjoy this creamy delicacy on your tacos. 

Cashew cream is very mild-flavored but with a noticeable buttery nuttiness. I love it for its richness and the silky texture it offers. 

Mayo and Lime 

Mayo and lime are a timeless combination. You can never go wrong using it. If you don’t feel creative or are just simply lazy and you just want to get your hands on your delicious tacos, look no further and grab a jar of mayo from your fridge. 

Creamy, flavorful, and very versatile, the mayo and lime combo fits into every possible taco combination. I love this combo because it delivers the refreshing note of sour cream with a zesty twist. Drop a few lime drops, mix a little, and you’re done with time to spare. 

Whether you choose a classic taco or a more tropical one, whether with ground beef, seafood, or vegetarian, mayo and lime will always be able to deliver the creaminess and tang of the sour cream with a little bit of magic of their own.

Mashed Avocado 

Mashed avocado is an old pal of the playful taco. Even though avocado and sour cream don’t seem to have much in common, they do share some similarities. In addition to both being creamy, avocado has a certain refreshing and slightly tangy note that doubles great for sour cream. 

You can season it any way you like. I usually go with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, pepper, and powdered garlic, and I have never been disappointed. Still, mashed avocado is better suited for classic tacos rather than seafood tacos, but if it makes sense for you, you should absolutely try it. 

Hummus 

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The creamy chickpea miracle we all know as hummus is not a regular part of tacos, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t fit in. On the contrary, it fits perfectly as a sour cream substitute in classic or seafood tacos. 

Hummus and sour cream share the same zesty and tangy note, which is more pronounced in the sour cream, but still very noticeable in hummus too. You can either make your own hummus or buy it at any store. 

I love its consistency, as it isn’t as creamy as sour cream, but it is still rich with its earthy texture and playful tasting notes. Hummus is highly customizable, which is why I often use it, and my favorite is the beetroot one. You can season it with your favorite taco spices and make it a perfect taco companion.

Cottage Cheese 

Even though it isn’t a sauce or dip, cottage cheese is an excellent sour cream substitute. Soft and grainy, it is easy to spread and smear on your taco. You can make it creamier by whipping it a little or simply mixing it with heavy cream or buttermilk. 

Even though there’s no rule against it, I recommend you don’t use cottage cheese as a sour cream substitute for seafood tacos because it just doesn’t fit there. It is more salty than tangy, but it does have the recognizable sourness of sour cream, just not as expressive. It is thicker than sour cream, slightly richer, and just as soft, and you won’t regret using it. 

On the other hand, classic or vege tacos are the perfect places to substitute sour cream for cottage cheese.