Sour cream has always seemed like a bit of an oxymoron to me. Cream always equaled sweet in my mind, like whipped cream or ice cream. I never understood the appeal of slopping it on nachos or tacos and always ordered my food sans the white stuff. Enter in marriage and the hubby is a big fan of sour cream on all things from Mexican dishes to baked potatoes. Turns out I am in the minority and American consume 1.5 billon pounds each year!
If you've dined at an authentic Mexican restaurant, you've likely encountered crema drizzled on your order. While it tastes very similar to sour cream, is dairy based and is used in many of the same ways, there are some differences we'll dive into here along with some higher protein swaps you can make for both.
Crema vs. Sour Cream: Important Differences
The most significant difference between crema and sour cream is that despite being thinner in consistency, crema has a higher fat content. Crema typically contains up to 30 percent fat while sour cream clocks in at about 20 percent. Because crema is thinner, it is perfect for pouring and drizzling while regular sour cream is more suited for dropping dollops or spreading on food dishes as the finishing touch.
While both creams have a tangy flavor, crema is saltier due to the addition of salt and derives its tang from lime juice rather than from bacterial cultures. While both products can be used as a tasty condiment for spicy Mexican food or other flavorful dishes, sour cream is better suited for adding as an agent to moisten baked goods due to its consistency and lactic acid.
What is Crema?
Crema also known as Crema Mexicana, Crema Fresca, or Mexican table cream, is a condiment used widely in Mexican cuisine. It has a smooth texture and is the perfect consistency for drizzling over Mexican dishes or even using as a dip. Traditional crema is cream based and is a mixture of heavy cream, buttermilk, lime juice and salt. The lime's acidity lends a slightly tangy flavor to this Mexican cream, making it an excellent addition to spicy dishes like tacos, burritos, and enchiladas.
Depending upon your location, this tangy cream can be found widely in chain grocery stores or Mexican grocers. Look for one of the most popular brands, Cacique Table Cream, that is sold widely across the United States.
What is Sour Cream?
Sour cream is a thick cream produced when lactic acid bacteria combines with dairy cream. The result is a thick cream based product with a slightly sour taste and very creamy texture. Sour cream is used widely in cooking and baking across the US and Europe and is one of the most popular dairy products within these countries. It has a myriad of popular uses in the kitchen from serving as the base for salad dressings to softening baked goods, to being dolloped as a condiment on casseroles.
Sour cream is similar to French crème fraîche, but has a slightly lower fat content making it less suitable for very hot dishes which could result in curdling. Standard sour cream is a staple item at grocery stores and can be found in the refrigerated dairy section. It comes in a variety of fat percentages from full fat to low fat and even fat free options.
Most Popular Ways to Use Crema vs. Sour Cream
The most popular ways to use crema are as a condiment drizzled on dishes including nachos, taco plates, refried beans, salads and burritos. It helps to add a tangy acidity to these dishes while adding a coolness to tone down spicy flavors. You might also find crema served alongside salsa for dipping vegetables or tortilla chips as a snack or appetizer.
Sour cream is used widely as the finishing touch for casseroles, nachos or baked potatoes. It is also widely used in baking to add moisture and richness due to its high fat content. The acidity of sour cream also serves to help activate other ingredients such as baking soda which gives way to a better overall texture of the baked goods. It can be a good substitute for yogurt, buttermilk or cream in recipes.
Variations of Mexican Crema
While crema is delicious just as it is, have some fun jazzing it up with a few spices or simple ingredients. Here are some ideas to inspire you!
Chipotle Crema - add a dash of chipotle dried spice (watch out it's spicy!) or combine one chipotle chilis in adobo sauce with crema in the food processor
Cilantro Lime Crema - Check out our recipe for this fresh, zippy and healthy greek yogurt rendition.
Best Substitutes for Crema and Sour Cream
Creme Fraiche: A popular substitute for either crema or sour cream is crème fraiche. Although slightly thicker than crema, it has a similar tangy yet mild flavor. Its consistency is very similar to sour cream and can be thinned with a bit of lime juice if using as a swap for crema.
Greek yogurt: Another great substitute for either crema or sour cream is Greek yogurt due to its thick consistency and high protein content for added health benefits! For modifying plain greek yogurt to taste more like Mexican-style creme, add a touch of salt and lime juice to it. Check our our recipe for Cilantro Lime Crema here. It's delicious drizzled on tacos, salads or taquitos.
Sour Cream: Sour cream is the perfect substitute for crema. Despite being a bit thicker than crema, it possesses a similar flavor profile. If striving for the same consistency as crema, thin the sour cream with milk or lime juice.
In a pinch, sour cream and crema can absolutely be great substitutes for the other due to their similar flavors especially when adding as an accompaniment to savory dishes such as Mexican cuisine!
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