What Is Sour cream, light and How Can I Use It?

If sour cream, light has turned up in a recipe or caught your eye at the store, here's what you need to use it with confidence and how to choose it, cook it, store it, what to substitute, and 146 recipes to try it in.

Key Points

Reduced-fat sour cream made from lighter dairy plus thickeners, with roughly 40% less fat
Thinner and tangier than full-fat; works cold as a topping or in dips
Breaks and weeps faster under heat, so keep it cold or stir in off the heat
For simmered sauces and baked dips, use full-fat sour cream instead

What is sour cream, light?

Light sour cream is reduced-fat sour cream. Instead of being built entirely from cream, it is made from a lighter dairy base such as half-and-half or milk, with thickeners added to give it body.

It carries roughly 40% less fat than the full-fat version. That is why it pours and spreads thinner, and tastes a touch tangier and less rich.

For the full guide to culturing, tang, and uses, see sour cream. This page covers only what changes when you reach for the light version.

Where the lower fat matters

Cold, light sour cream behaves almost like the regular kind. It is a fine topping for a baked potato or chili, and it works in dips and dressings where it stays cool. Octoberfest Cucumber Salad is a good example, since nothing gets heated and the lighter body never shows.

Heat is where the difference shows up. With less fat to protect the proteins, light sour cream breaks and weeps faster when it gets hot.

Keep it cold. If a hot dish calls for it, stir it in off the heat at the very end so it warms through without curdling.

For a sauce that simmers, or a baked dip like Awesome Spinach Artichoke Dip that spends real time in the oven, reach for full-fat sour cream. The extra fat holds it together where the light version would split.

Buying and storing

Light sour cream lives in the dairy case beside the regular tubs, labeled light or reduced-fat. Keep it cold and sealed, and use it within about a week of opening.

Pour off any thin liquid that gathers on top and stir before using. Do not freeze it, since thawing leaves it grainy and watery.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 cup (242g)

Amount per Serving

Calories 326Calories from Fat 261

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 29.0g 45%

Saturated Fat 18.1g 90%

Trans Fat ~

Cholesterol 94mg 31%

Sodium 99mg 4%

Total Carbohydrate 10.3g 3%

Dietary Fiber 0g 0%

Sugars 0.4

Protein 7.1g

Vitamin A 18% Vitamin C 4%

Calcium 25% • Iron 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your caloric needs.

recipeland.com/nutrition

Quick facts

Food group: Sour cream, light is a member of the Dairy and Egg Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese: 酸奶油，光
British (UK) term: Sour cream, light
en français: crème sure, de la lumière
en español: crema agria, la luz

How much does sour cream, light weigh?

Amount	Weight
1 cup	242 grams
1 tbsp	15 grams

Dairy and Egg Products

Butter 14585 Ghee (clarified butter) 240 Blue cheese 95 Havarti cheese 6 Cheddar cheese 1679 Cheese 557 Cheddar cheese, very old, sharp 334 Cheddar cheese, medium 23 Cheddar cheese, mild 32 Colby cheese 26

Recipes using sour cream, light

There are 146 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Dutch Pancakes with Spicy Apples

Dutch pancake with spicy apples is a puffed, golden oven pancake cut into wedges and smothered in cinnamon-glazed apples with a sweet sour cream dollop. A dramatic, custardy brunch centerpiece.

Crisp Cucumber Salsa

wow! tangy and so good!

Huevos Rojo y Verdes (Mexican Red & Green Eggs)

I had these for breakfast frequently when staying in Tlaqupaque, Mexico outside Guadalajara. Here's my version that recreates this local specialty. I haven't seen them anywhere else. Perfect for Cinco de Mayo.

Date Squares (Healthier Version)

Make the traditional date squares healthier by using some whole wheat flour, canola oil and applesauce. Super moist and tasty, great to enjoy at any time.

Southwestern Potato Salad II

My version of Bobby Flay's very distinctive southwestern, egg-less potato salad from his restaurant, Mesa Grill. Make sure you pour the sauce over the potatoes while they're still warm to ensure the flavors soak in. This salad goes nicely with grilled meat, poultry or seafood.

Carrot Muffins with Walnut-Cream Centers

Carrot muffins with hidden cream cheese and walnut centers, sweetened with raisins and brightened with orange juice. A lighter breakfast bake with cheesecake-like surprise.

Moist Chocolate Cupcakes

My kids love these cupcakes, they are easy to make, and very yummy.

Wake - Up - Smell Coffee Cheesecake

Love this lower-fat cheesecake. It well satisfied my cheesecake cravings but without giving me too much guilt afterwards. LOL.

Nice Chicken Taco Soup

This is an excellent recipe, low in fat and full of fibre.

Mahi Mahi Tacos

To me, fish tacos are the best during summer. There is no real reason behind this, besides that I just think they taste better, and after a winter full of heavy soups and stews, there is nothing like a light and fresh tasting fish taco.

Mahi Mahi Tacos

Almond Butter & Sour Cream Hummus

Unlike classic hummus, this one is made with chickpea, almond butter and light sour cream. It tastes incredibly creamy and delcious. If you are a big fan of all of these three ingredients, this hummus should on your to-make list. Enjoy :)

Beet, Walnuts, Dry Prunes & Garlic Salad

This is Eastern European recipe of a very tasty salad. It is known to be beneficial for digestion. Enjoy.

Southwest Breakfast Wraps

Quick, easy and yummy wraps are perfect for any meal during the day. It fills you up and it tastes delicious.

Light Tuna Salad

The addition of ingredients like curry powder and grated Parmesan make this salad special. Great for sandwiches, on crackers as an appetizer or served on lettuce leaves.

Margarita Cheesecake with Lime Sour Cream Topping

Margarita cheesecake spiked with tequila, triple sec, and fresh lime on a graham crust, crowned with a tangy lime sour cream topping. The cocktail you love, in creamy sliceable form.

Margarita Cheesecake with Lime Sour Cream Topping

Margarita cheesecake spiked with tequila, triple sec, and fresh lime on a graham crust, crowned with a tangy lime sour cream topping. The cocktail you love, in creamy sliceable form.

Canadian Flag Cheesecake (Canada Day)

Make this creamy, smooth and delicious Canadian flag cheesecake for the celebration of Canada Day.

German Potato Salad

German potato salad in a warm, tangy dressing of broth, white wine vinegar, mustard and a touch of sour cream, poured over still-warm sliced potatoes so they soak up every bit. Served at room temperature with fresh dill.

Decadent Chocolate Babka

Found the original recipe in foodnetwork magazine "The Chocolate" issue. I changed a few things according to my own taste and this decadent chocolate babka only lasted about half day at our counter.

Baked Potato Skins

Turned out super crispy, loaded with cheese and bacon and seasoned to perfection.

Anastasia's Whole Wheat Zucchini-Banana Bread

Healthy whole wheat quick bread packed with grated zucchini, mashed banana, and warm spices. This moist, naturally sweetened loaf uses applesauce instead of oil.

Purple Potato Salad

This purple potato salad is a great side dish. we boiled potatoes with garlic and vinegar, which made potatoes super tasty!

Buttermilk Wasabi Mashed Potatoes

Buttery, creamy, smooth and tasty. Wasabi powder gives the mashed potatoes slightly spiciness that you hardly notice but makes this mashed potatoes uniquely tasty.

Fresh Corn & Red Pepper Bisque

It is corn season, so many fresh and sweet corn, we use them with sour cream and red pepper, some scallions and fresh cilantro, give the corn very rich flavor, and this is a very healthy way to cook corn too, enloy summer and corn!

Apple Beet Salad with Creamy Diil Dressing

Tangy and tasty salad that combines fall/winter fruit and beets with a creamy dressing. Feel free to use canned or pickled beets in place of the fresh beets to save time.

Creamy Dill Salad Dressing & Dip

A quick and easy to make delicious creamy salad dressing. Lower in fat and much tastier than store bought dressings.

Peach Coffee Cake (Low Fat)

Fresh and local peaches finally hit the market, we got some last week, and this is the first cake that I made with those yummy peaches. I used most whole wheat flour, 1/3 butter, 1/3 olive oil and 1/3 applesauce, which made this coffee cake super moist and delicious.

Chocolate Pistachio Orange-Loaf

This deliciously moist and cake-like loaf is great with a cup of coffee or tea as a snack or a dessert after a meal.

Creamy Superbowl Spinach Dip

Adding chestnuts to this creamy spinach dip gives bits of crunch. Quick and easy to make, very tasty, and is much healthier than any store bought dip. Serve with your favorite chips, pita chips or tortilla chips. Great for a Superbowl Sunday or any gathering with friends.

Blueberry Tart - Low Fat

Concentric circles of blueberries decorate this no-bake blueberry pie sized tart.

Superbowl Ultimate French Onion Dip

This creamy and delicious French Onion dip is a great recipe when you have company, and it is also much healthier, with home made chips, enjoy the tasty food without worries and guilty.

Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad

Have to give this recipe 5 star. It was quite easy to make, and it came out delicious.

Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges with Smoked Chipotle Cream

These roasted sweet potatoes go perfectly with the smoky and mildly spiced tangy lime sour cream. Definitely inspires you to cook sweet potatoes more often!

Jagerschnitzel

Very thin pork cutlets with a rich and creamy sour cream and mushroom sauce. I serve this with sweet and sour red cabbage and parsleyed red potatoes. Guten appetit! Mahlzeit!

Creamy Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Horseradish Sauce

Brussels sprouts, steamed just until crisp tender and tossed in a creamy bacon and horseradish sauce.

Bacon Sweet Potato Bites

This handy appetizer impresses everyone, simple, easy and full of flavor and very easy to eat.

The Best Fried Green Tomatoes

Here is this New England yankee's version of a Southern classic. The cornmeal and panko crumb crust is what sets this recipe apart from others.

Sour Cream Banana & Walnut Bread

Very moist and fluffy inside, golden brown outside; sour cream added the extra moist and tangy flavor, I used 3/4 cup of brown sugar, and I thought it was the right sweetness. If you have some ripe bananas on hand or you love banana bread, I will definitely recommend this recipe.

Classic Green Bean Casserole-Low Fat & Low Calorie

This version of the classic green bean casserole lightens the load without sacrificing the flavor or creaminess. Making your own french fried onions adds loads of crispy fried onion goodness.

Sabra Baba Ghanoush (Clone)

This version of the garlicky roasted eggplant dip does not have tahini in it as with a traditional version. While I really like an "authentic" baba ghanoush, I also enjoy the commercial Sabra brand, which uses mayo and some spices. It is slightly sweet and has a little kick. This is my rendition.

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