9 Perfect Substitutes for Sour Cream in Mashed Potatoes

Although mashed potatoes with sour cream are more of a winter dish, I like to prepare them throughout the year, no matter the season. However, I must confess that I didn’t appreciate it as much until I realized that sour cream wasn’t a must and that I could replace it with other, even more delicious ingredients. So, what are the best substitutes for sour cream in mashed potatoes?

Cream cheese, Greek yogurt, mayo, buttermilk, cottage or ricotta cheese, as well as regular or almond milk with lemon juice, make amazing sour cream alternatives. The combination of soft, mashed potatoes with any of these will create a new dimension to this dish, especially if you add herbs and spices.

To better understand all the possibilities that a dish such as this one allows you to have, I have prepared for you a list with detailed explanations on how to alter the flavor by using different ingredients instead of sour cream.

Cream Cheese

Cream cheese and mashed potatoes are a match made in heaven. Although the level of fat in this dish is rather high in comparison to a classic version, the creamy texture and cheesy flavor are simply a dream come through. [1]

To make this delicacy, pre-boil potatoes until soft and mash them. Melt salted butter with minced garlic and throw in the potatoes with cream cheese and salt. Mix it all until blended, and voila — your favorite dish is ready. 

You can garnish it with a piece of butter that slowly melts over it, a couple of leaves of parsley, dried or fresh oregano, or even some onion powder. If you like your mashed potatoes slightly hotter, try adding black pepper, chili flakes, or a few drops of hot sauce.

Mayonnaise

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If I could, I would add mayonnaise to every meal. Its tangy taste and creamy texture make it a favored addition to many dishes, and mashed potatoes are one of them. Mixing them will result in a dish with a silky, creamy texture and that specific sour and slightly salty flavor.

To preserve that flavor, it is best to leave potatoes cool for about 10 minutes after boiling and mashing. Once they have cooled down, simply add seasoning and mayonnaise and mix until everything blends. 

The great thing about this combination is that it leaves space for additional flavors. So, you can add finely chopped onions, pickled cornichons, or aromatic herbs such as dill or tarragon. 

Aside from that, mayonnaise itself comes in a variety of flavors, such as lime, garlic, spicy, BBQ, or chimichurri. So, make your mashed potatoes more interesting by adding one of these.

Cottage Cheese

In case you like your mashed potatoes with a bit more texture, cottage cheese is a perfect substitute for sour cream. This lumpy, soupy cheese will combine lovely with soft potatoes, turning it into a unique side dish.

As cottage cheese has no strong taste either, you can experiment by adding some aromatic herbs or seasonings.

Cottage cheese is slightly tangy and salty, so be careful not to go over the top with spices. This dish will match well with black pepper, onion, garlic or chili powder, cayenne pepper, and parsley or dill flakes. I also love to kick it up a notch by mixing in some freshly chopped spring onion or basil leaves or, even by adding a Mediterranean note — some olives.

Ricotta Cheese

Another neutral ingredient that leaves a lot of room to turn mashed potatoes into a savory dish is ricotta cheese. This Italian cheese is widely used for different types of sweet and salty meals. 

It has a particular yet mild aroma, as it is made from the milk of sheep or water buffalo, and pairs up well with mashed potatoes mixed with butter, or even olive oil. 

To make a mash with ricotta cheese, preheat olive oil or butter with finely chopped or minced garlic, add mashed potatoes and ricotta, and mix it all together. I like to serve it with some fresh or dried chives, lemongrass, or basil.

Taleggio Cheese

To achieve an extra-creamy texture in your mashed potatoes, consider replacing sour cream with taleggio cheese, an Italian delicacy known for its superb melting quality and distinctive aroma. By adding taleggio cheese to your mash, you will create an ideal side dish that will delight cheese enthusiasts.

All you need is to melt some butter and add mashed potatoes and taleggio cheese while hot. Mix it well until the cheese melts. 

Before adding potatoes to melted butter, season them with salt, black pepper, or chili flakes. Since this cheese already has a strong flavor, you shouldn’t exaggerate with spices. You can, however, sprinkle a bit of chives or oregano over it.

This is my favorite combination, and you really have to try it out. Here’s a great video for all of you who would like to know more about taleggio!

Buttermilk

Buttermilk is another fantastic substitute for sour cream in mashed potatoes. One great advantage of using it in the mash is its lower fat content in comparison to sour cream, so you can enjoy it guilt-free.

This dairy product has a tangy flavor that, combined with plain potatoes, enhances their taste. Since it is liquid, it will provide enough moisture to make the mash deliciously creamy. However, be careful about the amount you pour into the mash because a couple of tablespoons more may ruin the entire dish.

Moreover, buttermilk contains probiotics that promote a healthy digestive system, giving your dish an added layer of complexity and nutritional benefit in a single stroke. [2]

Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt makes another light and healthy sour cream alternative. Sour and creamy, this dairy product is perfect for a summer version of mashed potatoes.

Same as mayonnaise, you should mix it with mash after it cools down for 5 or 10 minutes. Its tangy yet mild taste also allows you to upgrade the dish with some chopped spring onions, olives, pickled red onions, cornichons, and some aromatic herbs.

As far as seasoning goes, with this combination, I recommend a few sprinkles of salt and black pepper.

Milk/Almond Milk and Lemon Juice

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In case you don’t have any sour dairy products at the moment, yet you like to feel a little tang in your mash, try mixing it with milk and lemon juice. Potatoes will soak in lemon aroma, making them perfect in combination with fresh chives, olives, or even some avocado.

Instead of lemon juice, you can also use vinegar. Furthermore, if you are seeking a plant-based alternative, a combination of plain unsweetened almond milk and lemon juice or vinegar is another excellent replacement for mashed potatoes. 

Whichever you choose, make sure to add a proper amount, which is usually around four tablespoons of milk and one tablespoon of lemon or vinegar per cup of mash. 

Mustard

In case you are willing to take experimenting with mashed potatoes to a completely new level, try replacing sour cream with mustard. With this yellow, tangy sauce, your mash will not require seasoning other than salt, and it will still be more than delicious.

For this combination, you can use classic, spicy, or tarragon mustard, one made with whole grains, or even honey Dijon mustard. To make it all come together into a beautiful cream, I like to add a few tablespoons of milk as well.

So, will you be trying mustard out, or are you playing safe? I can’t wait to hear from you in the comments below!