The Best Sour Cream for Baked Potatoes, Dips, and More

The best sour cream is super creamy, a little sour, and would be delicious on practically anything.

I already knew sour cream was delicious, but trying more than 20 brands and varieties back to back over the course of two separate taste tests really solidified how incredible it is. It’s deliciously dairy rich and compliments all different cuisines. It is perfect. We tried pretty much every readily available sour cream on the market and we found a few that we’d buy again and again. Whether you’re looking for the best sour cream to buy to make stroganoff or the best Mexican crema for your burritos, we have the best sour cream for you!


best sour cream to buy

Best Light

Daisy Light Sour Cream

I’m going to be honest with you: Light Sour Cream options are weak. If you’re eating something where sour cream is the star, buy full fat sour cream. It’s worth it. If you’re using it as a less central ingredient or just can’t do the fat, buy Daisy Brand Light Sour Cream. It’s the best light sour cream out there because it still tastes rich and isn’t watery.

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

best sour cream to buy

Best for Gringo Tacos

Sprouts Sour Cream

Sprouts is one of the most reliable grocery store brands out there, and their sour cream is proof of that. It’s super affordable and top quality. The salty and sour notes sing. Best of all, it’s creamy as all get out. To me, it has a texture best fit for crunchy, gringo-style tacos (like Old El Paso Taco Kit tacos). If you put sour cream on your tacos, this one is thick enough to stay put while you’re eating. Or, if you’re like me and smear sour cream all over the inside of the shell to help keep the toppings in (life hack!), it’s thick enough to not make the shell disintegrate when you add the taco meat. Either way, put this on a taco!

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

best sour cream

Best Tang

Trader Joe’s Sour Cream

Trader Joe’s Sour Cream is one of the best products in the entire store. I said what I said. The off-the-charts tanginess made my mouth literally water. It was the tangiest sour cream we tried in both our taste tests. The bold flavor would perfectly complement something warm and carby, like a baked potato or a plate of farmer’s cheese-filled perogies topped with buttered onions. Trader Joe’s always has it in stock and within my budget. What a steal!

Credit: Liv Averett

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

best sour cream

Best Classic

Daisy Pure & Natural Sour Cream

I would happily do a dollop (do do a dollop) of Daisy Pure & Natural Sour Cream any day of the week. You may have grown up on this sour cream, and probably know its iconic jingle. It’s a household name for a reason. It has a silky texture and clean finish that doesn’t coat your mouth. It’s thick, but not too thick. One packet of powdered dip mix can transform it into an incredible batch of homemade or F. Hard to say what’s better, though, the sour cream or the jingle. They both slap. They rank on the lists for best sour cream and best sour cream commercial.

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

best sour cream to buy

Best Thick

Knudsen Hampshire Sour Cream

Don’t judge a book by its cover. This sour cream may look a little gelatinous, but I assure you it’s as rich and creamy as can be. Justine Sterling, Sporked editor-in-chief, thought this one felt luxurious and wanted to put it on a potato chip with some caviar. Fancy! It’s savory and mild and one of the best sour cream options at the grocery store.

Credit: Liv Averett / Target

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

best mexican crema

Best Mexican Crema

El Mexicano Crema Mexicana Sour Cream

Have you ever ordered sour cream with your meal at Chipotle? And if so, have you noticed that it’s a lot thinner than the sour cream you have at home? That’s because it’s crema! Crema typically has more fat and is less tangy than sour cream. So if Chipotle’s sour cream is something you find yourself craving, try El Mexicano Crema Mexicana Sour Cream! It’s pourable, salty, and rich. I brought it home to put on soyrizo tacos for dinner that week! Personally, I think you should make the switch from sour cream to this. It’s the best Mexican crema we tried.

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

best sour cream to buy

Best Probiotic

Good Culture Probiotic Sour Cream

I didn’t realize probiotic sour cream was a thing, but it is and it’s good! If you’re looking for the best sour cream that will also help with your gut health, this is the best sour cream for you. It’s super rich, perfectly tangy, and lightly salty. I had never heard of this before our taste test, but I would absolutely buy this sour cream again.

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

best sour cream

Best of the Best

Horizon Organic Cultured Sour Cream

Horizon Organic Cultured Sour Cream was a hit with all the taste testers. It’s insanely creamy and thick. The tang is present but not overpowering. I can’t imagine a single food that wouldn’t be made tastier with a big dollop of this on top. Gwynedd Stuart, managing editor of Sporked, called the taste “stunningly delicious.” It’s thickness would make it a great base for a dip, but honestly it would be good with pretty much anything.

Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other sour creams we tried: Nancy’s Probiotic, Shamrock Organic, Knudsen Light, Lucerne Light, O Organics Sour Cream


About the Author

Jordan Myrick

Jordan is an L.A.-based writer and comedian who believes all food should come with extra sauce. When they're not writing for Sporked, Jordan is at the movies or sharing an order of french fries with their elderly chihuahua.