Sour cream

śmietana / smetana · sour cream

Flavor and role

Cream fermented with lactic acid bacteria, tangy and rich. Adds both freshness and smoothness to dishes.

Typical dishes and uses

With pierogi, borscht, beef stroganoff, topping for tacos and nachos

Substitutes

100 g sour cream = 100 g Greek yogurt, or 100 ml heavy cream + 1 tbsp lemon juice (let stand 10 minutes).

Storage

Refrigerate and use within 1-2 weeks of opening.

Main countries

Poland · Russia · United States

Used in this book

Pierogi RuskieUkrainian BorschtClassic Buffalo WingsCampfire Skillet NachosChicken Paprikash (Csirkepaprikás)Chilaquiles RojosChili con CarneElote (Mexican Street Corn)Chicken Enchiladas RojasClassic New York CheesecakePelmeni (Russian Meat Dumplings)Syrniki (Russian Cottage Cheese Pancakes)Brown Butter Walnut Banana BreadBandeja Paisa Loaded Fries with Avocado CremaBigos Breakfast Hash with Crispy Potatoes and EggsRoasted Beet and Smoked Rib BorschtKoryo-saram Kimchi BorschtPink Borscht RisottoDouble-Fried Buffalo Wings with Chunky Blue CheeseCrispy Rice Burrito BowlCarne Asada Nachos with Fire-Charred SalsaChorizo Chili Walking NachosChicken Adobo Tacos with Pickled Red Onion and Lime CremaWine-Braised Chicken Paprikash with Butter Nokedli and Cucumber SaladCrispy Gnocchi Chicken Paprikash with ParmesanPaprikash Chicken Skewers with Dill Sour Cream DipGuajillo-Ancho Chicken Chilaquiles with Crispy Fried EggChilaquiles Breakfast Torta with Salsa VerdeCơm Tấm Tacos with Lemongrass Pork and Scallion OilHidalgo-Style Chicken Tinga Paste (Mexican Cornish Pasty)Dakgalbi Cheese QuesadillasHusk-Grilled Elote with Chipotle Butter and Roasted Garlic CremaElote Cheese QuesadillaThree-Chile Enchiladas GratinadasChicken Enchilada Rice BowlChipotle Feijoada ChiliBergen Fish Soup (Bergensk Fiskesuppe) with Homemade StockGoulash Melt with Dipping BrothClarified-Butter Kartoffelpuffer with Smoked Salmon and Horseradish CreamCrispy Kartoffelpuffer Cups with Apple-Bacon Sour CreamCrispy Käsespätzle Cups with Chive Sour CreamChorizo-Jalapeño Khachapuri (Georgian x Mexican)Gochujang Buffalo WingsLarb Gai Tacos with Pickled Red Onion and Sriracha CreamLomo Saltado Burrito with Ají Amarillo CremaDeli-Style New York Cheesecake with Sour Cream Topping and Strawberry GlazeNo-Bake New York Cheesecake Jars with Blueberry CompotePav Bhaji Cheese QuesadillasSiberian Pelmeni in Golden Beef BrothCheesy Lazy Pelmeni Pinwheel SkilletPeri-Peri Chicken TacosPhilly Cheesesteak Quesadillas with Chipotle CremaBrown Butter Bacon PierogiKimchi Cheese Potsticker PierogiPierogi Lasagne BakeCheddar & Spring Onion Poffertjes Skewers with Chive Sour Cream DipBBQ Pulled Pork Sweet Potato BoatsKimchi Bacon Quesadillas with Gochujang CremaRendang beef tacosRopa Vieja Loaded TostonesRösti Egg Cups with Chive Sour CreamGochujang Pork Belly Tacos with Kimchi SalsaScallion Pancake QuesadillaShepherd's Pie Loaded Jacket PotatoStjerneskud (Danish 'Shooting Star' Smørrebrød)Som Tam Chicken TacosSweet and Sour Pork Tacos with Pineapple SalsaGhee-Seared Syrniki with Warm Berry CompoteCrispy Smash TacosTwice-Cooked Pork Tacos with Pickled OnionCharred Poblano White Chicken Chili with Seared ThighsWhite Chicken Chili Baked Taquitos with Lime Crema

Updated 2026-10-10