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Ashia Aubourg
There are two kinds of people: those who pile sour cream on everything from nachos to tacos and burritos, and those who’d send their food back if even a drop of that white sauce touches it. For those who aren’t big fans, I’m convinced they just haven’t tried the right one.
A good sour cream, with a near-perfect balance of richness, milky notes, and just a hint of tartness, can do wonders. A spoonful can tone down the heat of a spicy quesadilla or complement the earthy taste of fried falafel. A cup of it can add tenderness to baked goods like cakes or brownies. And if you mix it with fresh herbs and seasonings, you’ve got a flavorful dip in seconds.
If you’ve been dealing with the same generic brand for years, it might be time to switch things up. Despite looking similar, there’s actually a huge difference between the flavors of all of these sour creams. To help you out, I decided to judge them all. One stood out, and if you give it a try, it could become your new favorite.
How I Chose the Sour Cream Brands
To fill my cart, I specifically sought out brands that are easy to find at major retailers. I made sure to stick with full-fat options, avoiding any tubs labeled “light.” For the flavor, I only selected plain varieties to keep the test results unbiased.
How I Tested the Sour Cream Brands
I started with a visual test to see if the sour cream looked watery or separated or if it stayed smooth and well-mixed. Then, I tasted each brand, focusing on those with a balanced, mild flavor and just a hint of tang, docking points for any that boasted an artificial finish. Finally, I paid attention to the texture, noting which ones were fluffy enough for easy dolloping on nachos, or serving as the base for a creamy sauce.
The Best Sour Cream Brands, Ranked
8th Place: Good & Gather Sour Cream
Ashia Aubourg
This sour cream has a stodgy texture, similar to thick ricotta or whipped cream cheese. Instead of being smooth, it’s a bit grainy. Among all the options I tested, this one stood out with a harsh, tangy flavor that almost tasted rancid. It could be a better choice if it weren’t so sour.
7th Place: Great Value Sour Cream
Ashia Aubourg
The only praise I’ll give to this sour cream from Great Value is that it has that nostalgic thick texture that you’d find in most brands. Unfortunately, it falls short on flavor. The overwhelming tanginess is unpleasant and hard to overlook.
6th Place: Daisy Sour Cream
Ashia Aubourg
I might get some hate for this hot take, but in my opinion, Daisy is overhyped. It was one of the few sour creams I tested that had a lot of liquid sitting at the top. After scooping through the pool of whey, I found the flavor to be pretty bland—there wasn’t much tang or taste, really. This might work fine as a base for dip recipes if you want a blank canvas, but if you’re looking for a creamy topping for tacos or nachos, I’d reach for another brand.
5th Place: Trader Joe’s Sour Cream
Ashia Aubourg
At first, the sour cream from Trader Joe’s checked all my boxes: no separation and a thick, easy-to-scoop texture. But it fell short on flavor. I prefer options with a fresh, mild taste, and this one had a strong tang. I enjoyed the first bite, but as I kept eating, the zestiness became overpowering.
4th Place: Good Culture Sour Cream
Ashia Aubourg
When you open this container of sour cream, it looks like it was piped straight into the tub. Once you dig in, you’ll notice its airy texture, similar to whipped cream cheese. It’s a bit thicker and grainier, almost like ricotta. The taste is mild and fresh with a slight tanginess. Compared to other brands, it lacks a fully developed flavor, which could be improved if it had a touch more salt.
3rd Place: Cabot Sour Cream
Ashia Aubourg
This sour cream from Cabot is spoonable but still offers a thick and creamy texture. If you like your sour cream with a tangy punch, this one’s for you. For me, it had a bit too much sourness, but I can see it pairing nicely with something rich, like a hearty chili or pumpkin soup, where its brightness would really stand out and bring balance.
2nd Place: Whole Foods Organic Sour Cream
Ashia Aubourg
This thick sour cream from Whole Foods has a rich, decadent feel. It’s the kind you can scoop straight onto a baked potato and it holds its shape, but once you dig in, it’s light and fluffy. It has a pure milk flavor with a nice tang that isn’t too overpowering.
1st Place Winner: Organic Valley Sour Cream
Ashia Aubourg
When you open a tub of Organic Valley sour cream, the first thing you’ll notice is how glossy it is. Not only does it shine beautifully, but it’s also incredibly smooth, making it easy to scoop up and pile (or drizzle!) on all kinds of dishes. If you decide to go a step further and add seasonings or aromatics, you won’t need much elbow grease to mix everything into a rich, flavorful sauce or dressing. As for the taste, it’s mild with hints of herbal notes and a subtle lemony aftertaste that keeps you coming back for more.
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