There are two kinds of people: those who pile sour cream on everything from nachos to tacos and burritos, and those who’d send their food back if even a drop of the stuff touches it. But to all those who find themselves in the latter camp—I’m convinced you just haven’t tried the right one yet.
A good sour cream, with a near-perfect balance of richness, pure milky flavor, and just a hint of tartness, can do wonders. A spoonful can tone down the heat of a spicy quesadilla or complement the earthy taste of fried falafel. A cup of it can add tenderness to baked goods like cakes or brownies. And if you mix it with fresh herbs and seasonings, you’ve got a flavorful dip in seconds.
If you’ve been dealing with the same generic brand for years, it might be time to switch things up. Despite looking similar, there’s actually a huge difference between the flavors of all of these sour creams. To help you out, I decided to taste and rank all the sour cream brands I could find. The winner instantly stood out, and it’s so good, it might just become your new favorite—and convert some haters along the way.
How I Chose the Sour Creams
To fill my cart, I specifically sought out brands that are easy to find at major retailers. I made sure to stick with full-fat options, avoiding any tubs labeled “light.” For the flavor, I only selected plain varieties to keep the results consistent.
How I Tested the Sour Creams
I started with a visual test to see if the sour cream looked watery or separated or if it stayed smooth and well-mixed. Then, I tasted each brand, advancing those with a balanced, mild flavor and just a hint of tang, docking points for any that boasted an artificial finish. Finally, I paid attention to the texture, noting which ones were fluffy enough for easy dolloping on nachos, or serving as the base for a creamy sauce.
The Best Sour Cream Brands, Ranked
8th Place: Good & Gather Sour Cream
Ashia Aubourg
This sour cream had a stodgy texture, similar to thick ricotta or whipped cream cheese. Instead of being smooth, it was a bit grainy. Among all the options I tested, this one stood out with a harsh, tangy flavor that tasted almost rancid. It could be a better choice if it weren’t so sour.
7th Place: Great Value Sour Cream
Ashia Aubourg
The only praise I’ll give to this sour cream from Great Value is that it had that nostalgic, thick texture that I crave in a sour cream. Unfortunately, it fell short on flavor. The overwhelming tanginess was unpleasant and hard to overlook.
6th Place: Daisy Sour Cream
Ashia Aubourg
I might get some hate for this hot take, but in my opinion, Daisy is overhyped. It was one of the few sour creams I tested that had a lot of liquid sitting at the top. After scooping through the pool of whey, I found the flavor to be pretty bland—there wasn’t much tang or taste, really. This might work fine as a base for dip recipes if you want a blank canvas, but if you’re looking for a creamy topping for tacos or nachos, I’d reach for another brand.
5th Place: Trader Joe’s Sour Cream
Ashia Aubourg
At first, the sour cream from Trader Joe’s checked all my boxes: no separation and a thick, easy-to-scoop texture. But it fell short on flavor. I prefer options with a fresh, mild taste, and this one had a strong tang. I enjoyed the first bite, but as I kept eating, the zestiness became overpowering.
4th Place: Good Culture Sour Cream
Ashia Aubourg
When I opened this container of sour cream, it looked like it was piped straight into the tub. Once I dug in, I noticed its airy texture, similar to whipped cream cheese but a bit thicker and grainier, almost like ricotta. The taste was mild and fresh with a slight tanginess. Compared to other brands, it lacked a fully developed flavor, but could be improved upon with a touch more salt.
3rd Place: Cabot Sour Cream
Ashia Aubourg
This sour cream from Cabot was spoonable but still offered a thick and creamy texture. If you like your sour cream with a tangy punch, this one’s for you. For me, it had a bit too much sourness, but I could see it pairing nicely with something rich, like a hearty chili or pumpkin soup, where its brightness would really stand out and bring balance.
2nd Place: Whole Foods Organic Sour Cream
Ashia Aubourg
This thick sour cream from Whole Foods had a rich, decadent feel and a pure milk flavor with a nice tang that wasn’t too overpowering. It’s the kind of sour cream you can scoop straight onto a baked potato, and it holds its shape, but once you dig in, it’s light and fluffy.
1st Place Winner: Organic Valley Sour Cream
Ashia Aubourg
When I opened the tub of Organic Valley sour cream, the first thing I noticed was how glossy it was. Not only did it shine beautifully, but it was also incredibly smooth, making it easy to scoop up and pile (or even drizzle!) on all kinds of dishes. If you decide to go a step further and add seasonings or aromatics, you won’t need much elbow grease to mix everything into a rich, flavorful sauce or dressing. As for the taste, it was mild with hints of herbal notes and a subtle lemony aftertaste that kept me coming back for more.
