Easy Crème Fraîche Substitutes (2024)

FAQs

Easy Crème Fraîche Substitutes? ›

Sour cream is the most common substitute for crème fraîche, since both have a slightly sour taste and are cultured. You can substitute an equal amount of sour cream for crème fraîche in just about any type of recipe.

Sour cream is the most common substitute for crème fraîche, since both have a slightly sour taste and are cultured. You can substitute an equal amount of sour cream for crème fraîche in just about any type of recipe.

Creme fraiche is thicker, richer (see: fat content), and less tangy than sour cream, and since it won't curdle if you boil it, it's great to use in soups and sauces.

There's no perfect swap for crème fraîche, but a dollop of sour cream will get you the closest in flavor and texture. Avoid yogurt—it just doesn't have the oomph that crème fraîche does.

Terminology. A literal translation of crème fraîche is "fresh cream." However, in French-speaking countries, crème fraîche may refer to either: (A) the thick fermented product, crème fraîche épaisse or fermentée, or (B) a liquid cream, crème fraîche liquide or fleurette.

If you can't find crème fraîche at your local grocery store, sour cream can be used as a 1:1 substitute, and vice versa. Just keep in mind that sour cream is a bit more sour in flavor and less rich than crème fraîche. "Crème fraîche can substitute in any recipe that calls for sour cream," suggests Druart.

Crème fraîche is incredibly simple to make at home: You simply combine cream with a small amount of buttermilk and allow it to rest in a covered container at room temperature for about 12 hours. Within the day, the cream will have transformed into a thicker, tangier, and more spoonable version of itself.

Substitute on a 1:1 ratio. Full-fat Greek yogurt: Though it isn't nearly as rich as crème fraiche, you can use full-fat Greek yogurt as an alternative in a pinch. Substitute on a 1:1 ratio.

Crème fraîche is essentially the European equivalent of sour cream. It's used widely throughout Europe but less commonly in the United States and Canada. Crème fraîche is a dairy product much like sour cream but it has a higher fat content.

Then there's the matter of Mexican crema, which is runnier, thinner, and slightly sweeter than both crème fraîche and sour cream.

What cream does Gordon Ramsay use for scrambled eggs? ›

For extra creamy texture, stir in 1 tsp of crème fraîche. Plate and garnish with chopped chives.

Can I use mayonnaise instead of creme fraiche? While you can easily replace mayonnaise with creme fraiche in most recipes, it's harder to use mayonnaise to replace creme fraiche. That's because creme fraiche is often used in sweeter, dessert style recipes and isn't quite as tangy as mayonnaise.

Cream cheese has a similar creamy, slightly tangy flavour to crème frâiche, and can be substituted at a ratio of 1:1 in most recipes.

Creme fraiche has a lower fat content compared to mascarpone, typically around 30-40%, and is known for its velvety texture and rich taste. Mascarpone and creme fraiche can be used interchangeably in some recipes, but their distinct flavors and textures make them better suited for specific applications.

Ricotta Cheese

All right, ricotta presents a tangy-sweet dance that nicely graces your baked treats instead of crème fraîche. Of course, other options on my list might come in handy in recipes where the crème fraîche tang is the MVP. Otherwise, this Italian cheese works just fine as a 1:1 substitute.

Sour cream is an affordable and accessible alternative, and it's likely the best option because it is similar in taste and texture. Other alternatives can include store-bought non-dairy products like vegan sour cream, vegan Greek yogurt, and coconut cream.

There's a bunch of shortcut recipes for crème fraîche floating around out there. All advise simply to add a tablespoon or two of buttermilk to a pint of heavy cream and let it sit at room temperature for 24 hrs.

Cream cheese has a similar creamy, slightly tangy flavour to crème frâiche, and can be substituted at a ratio of 1:1 in most recipes.

Can I use mayonnaise instead of creme fraiche? While you can easily replace mayonnaise with creme fraiche in most recipes, it's harder to use mayonnaise to replace creme fraiche. That's because creme fraiche is often used in sweeter, dessert style recipes and isn't quite as tangy as mayonnaise.

Other Crème Fraiche Substitutes

DIY crème fraiche: Your best bet is, without a doubt, making your own substitute. All you need is buttermilk, heavy cream, and a little bit of patience.