Best Vegan Sour Cream

5 from 1 vote

This is the most delicious Vegan Sour Cream you'll ever make—I’m sure you’ll agree! It’s packed with umami, irresistibly smooth, creamy, and flavorful.

Published: Nov 10, 2024 by Nisha Melvani, RDN · I earn commissions from purchases via links on this post.

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients & Health Benefits

Cashews, onion powder, garlic powder, nutritional yeast, lemon, apple cider vinegar, and miso on a gray background.

Nutritional yeast adds a rich, savory, cheese-like flavor and helps thicken the sour cream. If you need to boost your B vitamin intake, choose a fortified nutritional yeast, which often includes B12—especially important in plant-based diets. (See below for my preferred brands.)

Raw cashews: The PREDIMED study, one of the largest dietary trials, showed that eating a half-pound of nuts weekly for four years halved stroke risk. Across groups, more daily nut consumption was linked to lower premature death risk. Likewise, the Harvard Nurses’ Health Study found that two handfuls of nuts per week could extend life as much as jogging four hours weekly.

Apple cider vinegar: Vinegar plays a role in glucose metabolism. Studies show that just two teaspoons of vinegar with a meal can reduce blood sugar spikes by about 20%. However, drinking vinegar straight isn’t recommended, as it can damage the esophagus by causing acidic burns and other injuries.

Miso, made from fermented soybeans, adds a flavor boost and is packed with probiotics, vitamins, and minerals. Here's a bonus: miso is a healthier alternative to salt, as it doesn’t raise blood pressure like regular salt does!

Fresh lemon juice is packed with vitamin C, which helps boost iron absorption when this vegan sour cream is paired with iron-rich foods like chili made with beans and lentils, or when eaten with leafy greens.

See the printable recipe card below for quantities.

📖 How to Make the Best Vegan Sour Cream

This is an overview. The full recipe is at the bottom of the post.

Cashews soaking in boiled water in a stainless stele saucepan.

Soak the cashews in boiling water for at least 15 minutes or in room-temperature water overnight.

Previously soaked cashews draining in a sieve.

Drain the cashews.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

What are some good substitutes for cashews?

Silken Tofu – Creates a creamy texture with a neutral taste and is high in protein.
Sunflower Seeds – When soaked and blended, they make a thick, creamy base with a mild flavor.
Blanched Almonds – Soften well when soaked and blend smoothly; they offer a similar creaminess.
Coconut Cream – Adds richness and creaminess, though it has a slightly coconut flavor.
Hemp Seeds – Blend to a smooth texture and offer a nutty, earthy flavor with added protein and omega-3s.
Each of these can provide a creamy, smooth texture while keeping the recipe nut-free or cashew-free, depending on your preference.

Is nutritional yeast good for you?

Overall, nutritional yeast is a nutrient-dense, versatile food that can provide protein, key vitamins, and minerals, particularly for those on a vegan diet. However, if consuming fortified nutritional yeast, do so in moderation, as excess intake could lead to overconsumption of certain fortified nutrients like folic acid. In addition, choose a reputable brand without detectable lead, such as Bob’s Red Mill, Bragg, Dr. Fuhrman, Red Star, or NOW Foods' nutritional yeast.

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