How to Make Sour Cream From Scratch

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Making sour cream only requires three ingredients: milk, distilled white vinegar, and heavy cream. Once you taste homemade sour cream in coffee cake or French onion dip, we swear you'll never go back.

Hands On Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
1 day 10 mins
Yield:
1 1/4 cup sour cream

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup whole milk

  • 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar

  • 1 cup heavy cream

Directions

  1. Whisk the milk and vinegar together in a small bowl and let sit for 10 minutes.

  2. Pour the heavy cream into a jar, then add the milk and vinegar mixture. Stir well to combine, then cover the jar (you can use a lid, or a cheesecloth kitchen towel secured with a rubber band).

  3. Let the cream stand for at least 24 hours at room temperature, or up to 48 hours. This will give the lactic acid bacteria time to ferment, thicken, and sour the cream. The acidity of the mixture will prevent the dairy from spoilage. Chill prior to serving.

    homemade sour cream
    Magone/Getty Images
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