Lemon Is The Ingredient You Need To Give Greek Yogurt A Sour Cream Taste (2024)

Greek yogurt is frequently recommended as a substitute for sour cream. And for many recipes, it's a good stand-in if the real thing isn't available. Greek yogurt and sour cream are both thick and creamy dairy products with a tangy flavor. In a baking recipe, you can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream as is, without any noticeable difference in flavor in the finished goods. But it's another story when Greek yogurt is used in place of sour cream where the flavor is front and center, such as topping a bowl of chili or making a dip.

While the consistency of Greek yogurt and sour cream are pretty much the same, the flavor is not. And that's where lemon juice comes in. The addition of just a small amount of lemon juice stirred into your Greek yogurt will brighten up its flavor and make it more closely resemble that of a true sour cream.

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How To Make Greek Yogurt Taste More Like Sour Cream

Lemon Is The Ingredient You Need To Give Greek Yogurt A Sour Cream Taste (1)

When putting this tip into action, keep in mind that the best results will come from using full-fat Greek yogurt made from whole milk. The non- or low-fat versions are not as rich in flavor, and their consistency is a little too thin to effectively mimic sour cream.

Add lemon juice to the yogurt a little at a time, tasting as you go until the flavor seems right. You can add as much as 2 tablespoons of lemon juice per cup of Greek yogurt, but it's best to work up to that slowly; you can always add more. A pinch of salt is optional. You can also experiment with adding a touch of heavy cream to the mix.

If you don't have lemon juice on hand, vinegar is another option. Again, though, start slowly and add more as needed to achieve the right flavor.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.

Lemon Is The Ingredient You Need To Give Greek Yogurt A Sour Cream Taste (2024)

FAQs

Lemon Is The Ingredient You Need To Give Greek Yogurt A Sour Cream Taste? ›

While the consistency of Greek yogurt and sour cream are pretty much the same, the flavor is not. And that's where lemon juice comes in. The addition of just a small amount of lemon juice stirred into your Greek yogurt will brighten up its flavor and make it more closely resemble that of a true sour cream.

How can I make Greek yogurt taste like sour cream? ›

All you need to do is add a few tablespoons of lemon juice or vinegar to the yogurt and stir it until the yogurt has thickened. The acid in the lemon juice or vinegar will cause the yogurt to thicken and separate, just like sour cream would.

Why does my Greek yogurt taste sour? ›

More sour taste: Plain Greek yogurt has a more sour taste than regular yogurt as a result of its more rigorous fermentation and straining process.

What happens when you mix yogurt and lemon? ›

Similar to milk, lemon juice can cause buttermilk and yogurt to curdle. If you want to combine these ingredients, it's better to do so gradually and with proper tempering.

What gives yogurt its sour taste? ›

Sour yogurt is prepared from the fermentation of lactose in milk by lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which produce lactic acid that act on milk protein to give yogurt sour taste1,7. Conversely, when various flavors and sweetening agents are added to the yogurt, it is called sweet yogurt.

Why does my homemade yogurt taste like sour cream? ›

Lactic acid is what gives yogurt its sour taste. Now that you know how yogurt is made, you can experiment with it yourself at home! The end results will vary depending on the type of milk and yogurt you use, and the precision of the ingredients' temperature.

What can I add to Greek yogurt to make it taste better? ›

How to Make Plain Greek Yogurt Taste Good: 10 easy tips
  1. Add fresh fruit.
  2. Add frozen fruit.
  3. Mix with canned pumpkin and spices.
  4. Drizzle with honey or maple syrup.
  5. Mix with nuts or seeds.
  6. Blend into a smoothie.
  7. Add cereal.
  8. As a marinade.
Feb 17, 2023

How to cut the tartness of Greek yogurt? ›

Sweeten them Naturally: Natural sweeteners like honey, pure fresh maple syrup, agave, or stevia can provide a delicious sweetness to your Greek yogurt.

What does Chobani Greek yogurt taste like? ›

It's got just the right balance of tartness and creaminess, so it isn't overwhelmingly bitter and I am able to eat a container without putting in massive amounts of granola, syrup, etc. You have to stir the yogurt to get rid of some of the liquid, but that's not really a big deal.

Is it normal for Greek yogurt to smell like sour cream? ›

Smell. Unless it's flavored, fresh yogurt should have a neutral scent. If you note any rancid, sour or off odors, it is time to toss it out.

Does lemon make Greek yogurt curdle? ›

Yes, you can mix yogurt and citrus. Because yogurt is already acidic, added citrus won't make it curdle. That's just the short answer, though. Flavor-wise, adding acid to acid can make a dish too sour.

How to make yogurt with lemon? ›

In a saucepan, heat the lemon zest in 20 cl milk over low heat and then add the sugar. Heat until the milk turns yellow. Leave to cool and add this mixture to the remaining milk, including the zest. Bottle and refrigerate for at least 2 hrs.

What should you not mix with lemon? ›

Mixing lemon with buttermilk or yoghurt will have the same consequences as milk with lemon. They not only ruin the taste but can cause acidity. Do keep in mind that the strong citrus flavour of lemon does not mesh well with aromatic spices like cardamom or clove. It can affect the taste and texture of such items.

Does Greek yogurt taste like sour cream? ›

Whether you want a low-fat alternative to sour cream or a richer dairy option than Greek yogurt, you can use these dairy products interchangeably. Both Greek yogurt and sour cream have somewhat sour, tart, and tangy tastes and creamy textures.

Why does Greek yogurt taste sour to me? ›

Specifically, it's much creamier and has a more sour flavor. Don't worry, the tart taste isn't because your brand-new tub of Greek yogurt is spoiled — it's all because of how Greek yogurt is made, which is a bit different from the process used for regular yogurt. Both kinds start with milk.

How to make yogurt like sour cream? ›

directions
  1. Pour or squeeze lemon juice over 1 cup of fat free greek yogurt and stir to combine.
  2. That's it! You're done!

Can I substitute yogurt to sour cream? ›

Yogurt is your best substitute for sour cream. Whether you're baking or making a dip or sauce, yogurt is a 1:1 sub. That means if your recipe calls for 1 cup of sour cream, you can replace it with 1 cup of yogurt. Full-fat Greek or natural yogurts work best, but low-fat or even nonfat can be used, too.

How to make a substitute for sour cream? ›

Here's how to do it: Whisk 1 cup heavy cream with 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar or fresh lemon juice. Let sit 10 minutes, then stir in 1/4 cup whole milk until well combined. Cover and let sit at room temperature for one or two days, then refrigerate until ready to use.

Can I make sour cream in my yogurt maker? ›

Using a yogurt maker: The Instat Pot yogurt maker is the easiest no-fail way to make sour cream. Place the jar with the cream + starter mixture with the lid on into the pot. Set the yogurt maker to 9 hours.

Can you sub Greek yogurt for sour cream in cheesecake? ›

Greek yogurt

It can be used as a 1:1 substitute for sour cream in cheesecake. Greek yogurt is a great option for those looking for a healthier option, as it is lower in fat and calories than sour cream.

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