This was, hands down, the hardest ranking I’ve done in my time at Sporked. So many of the 14 sour creams we tried during our taste test were so good. I already knew sour cream was delicious, but trying that many brands and varieties back to back really solidified how incredible it is. It’s creamy, fatty, tangy, and compliments all different types of cuisines. It is perfect.
For this taste test, we were joined in the office by self-proclaimed sour cream expert Kendahl Landreth to try every popular sour cream we could get our hands on. You may recognize her from TikTok videos where she impersonates her mom and reenacts episodes of Dance Moms (or from being my girlfriend). Luckily, this taste test didn’t put any strain on our relationship because we agreed on the best sour creams on the market, and here they are.
The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.
- Horizon Organic Cultured Sour Cream
Horizon Organic Cultured Sour Cream was a hit with everyone, especially Kendahl, who named it her favorite of all the kinds we tried. 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.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Amazon
- 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. This was another one of Kendahl’s top choices and I definitely agree. We brought it home to put on soyrizo tacos for dinner that week!
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Walmart
- 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. It’s savory and mild. And if you’re a Kendahl Landreth fan, you’ll be pleased to know that this is what her mom, Darla, buys in real life!
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Safeway
- 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. The silky texture and clean finish 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 ranch or French onion dip. Hard to say what’s better, though, the sour cream or the jingle. They both slap.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde /
- Trader Joe’s Sour Cream
Trader Joe’s Sour Cream is one of the best products sold 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 all day. The bold flavor would perfectly compliment 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: Sarah Demonteverde / Sporked
- Sprouts Sour Cream
Sprouts is one of the most reliable 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 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 everything disintegrate when you add the taco meat. Either way, put this on a taco!
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart
- O Organics Sour Cream
O Organics Sour Cream is as thick as it gets. Ignore the small puddle of water on the top because, trust me, what lies underneath is very good. The mild flavor is what you’d expect from sour cream: slightly sour and delicately salty. Because it’s thick and has a taste that won’t overpower other ingredients, this would be the ideal sour cream to add to your cooking routine. I imagine it would meld beautifully into a stroganoff or add moistness to a pound cake.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde /
Best of the Best
Best Thin
Best Thick
Best Classic
Best Tang
Best for Tacos
Best Organic
Film your own taste test at home and share with us using #SporkedTasteTest for a chance to be featured on our social pages!
Hey! I just watched the GM More episode for the best nachos. Fantastic episode, btw. However, I used to work at Chipotle. They don’t use crema. They actually use Daisy! It’s just kneeded in the bag. To replicate it at home, stir the sour cream vigorously before serving, or kneed the squeeze bag version for a few minutes! Sorry if I stepped on any toes :/
Love you, bye!
Hi Kalina! This is good to know. I wasn’t sure what Chipotle actually used, but the thinner texture of the Chipotle sour cream (which I now know is due to the kneading), is kind of similar to the texture of crema. I was just trying to use a reference point for anyone who maybe hasn’t had crema before. I get why they use Daisy though. It’s delicious! Love you!
Personally I think Breakstone Sour Cream is the gold standard for regular sour cream. Though Daisy isn’t bad.
Have you tried Good Culture sour cream? My sister turned me on to it, it is a thick boy and is the best for making onion or ranch dips! I used to use Daisy, and I do love the El Mexican crema as well. Good Culture’s (4% milkfat) cottage cheese is also great.