Beef, Chicken, or even Pork Stroganoff with Cream Cheese, Mayo, or Soy Instead of Sour Cream – You can do it.
Stroganoff is a popular Russian delicacy that is made as comfort food on cold winter nights. Its main ingredients are pieces of beef, sour cream, and mustard.
How To Thicken Beef Stroganoff – 3 ways
This recipe became a worldwide sensation after the chef who created this dish won a highly esteemed food competition and named it after his employer, Count Pavel Alexandrovich Stroganoff.
See how to reheat sour cream alone or in dishes.
Today the main ingredients of the dish differ based on the country it is being made.
Some use chicken, shrimp, and sausages, and some use mushrooms for a healthier version of it.
For the sour cream, it can also be replaced by other ingredients that can give it a slightly different texture and taste.
A lot of sauces also use sour cream, can they be frozen?
Reasons for Substituting Sour Cream in Stroganoff
Beef stroganoff is famous for its creamy, and tangy flavor thanks to the sour cream that makes this dish rich and heavy. But the thing with sour cream is its milk and high-fat content that might not be appealing to health-conscious individuals.
Milk is not good for those with lactose intolerance and allergies. Also, it is high in calories, and with every 100 grams of sour cream, it already has around 193 calories.
Some also do not like the tangy taste of sour cream. Having the different preferences of consumers, we can have alternatives that will fit their liking.
Substitute for Sour Cream in Stroganoff
Mayo
Can you use mayo instead of sour cream in stroganoff?
Yes, you can use mayonnaise instead of sour cream in your beef stroganoff recipe. Mayonnaise is similar to sour cream, except that it has less fat and salt. The best way to prepare this dish is to cook the beef and vegetables first, then mix them together with the sauce. Furthermore, you can add crushed garlic or any other spices that you want. To make sure that the flavors stay intact, try adding only half of the amount of mayonnaise compared to the amount of sour cream used.
Crème Fraiche
Crème Fraiche is very similar to sour cream but has a less tangy taste and a nuttier flavor. It also has a higher calorie content because it is thicker and heavier than sour cream. If you are not counting any calories, then this is a good option. Crème Fraiche can easily be bought in any grocery and this can also be made at home with just a simple heavy cream and buttermilk as ingredients. If used as a replacement in the stroganoff recipe, this will add a creamier and thicker to an already heavy sauce.
Greek Yogurt
A healthier substitute for sour cream is Greek yogurt since it has lesser fat and calorie content as well as is rich in protein. It is packed with nutritional benefits such as it contains vitamin B12, phosphorus, and zinc. It also promotes bone health because of its calcium content and supports the balance of the digestive system due to the presence of probiotics. To achieve the taste of sour cream, just add a tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Better to use full-fat Greek yogurt, especially for the stroganoff dish to have that richer texture in the sauce.
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is made from cow’s milk and is also known as curds and whey. It is produced out of the milk leftovers in cheese making. It has a mild flavor since it is consumed fresh and not aged compared to other cheeses. Similar to sour cream, cottage cheese has a soft, white, and creamy texture. It also has high nutritional values such as it contains fewer calories, less fat, and is high in protein. With just 4 tablespoons of milk and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and a cup of cottage cheese, this combination can replace sour cream in any recipe.
Cream Cheese
While not a perfect substitute you can use cream cheese as an alternative to sour cream if you are really stuck. Only use about half the amount and stir it in little by little so that it doesn’t kirtle. You’re also better to use cream cheese towards the end of the recipe rather than at the beginning. When using cream cheese as a substitute not only for sour cream but other thickening agents you are advised to make it a little bit runnier. The easy way to do that is to take a little bit of the source that you are using, or you can use a little bit of soymilk or other liquid and gently stir that into the cream cheese in a small pan on a very low heat. This will make it just a little bit thinner and easier then to put into your final recipe, in this case, beef stroganoff. It also makes it easier to freeze stroganoff.
NonDairy Alternatives
Coconut Milk
This is a known vegan ingredient that is also good for those with milk allergies and lactose intolerant. Coconut milk comes from the freshly grated coconut, squeezed and strained. To make thinner milk, grating and straining will already do the trick. But using this sauce you need to make it thicker by boiling or simmering it in water. Adding a tablespoon of lemon juice for every cup of coconut milk can duplicate the sour taste of sour cream.
Soy
Soy milk cream can be easily bought in stores as well as it has simple ingredients that can also be made at home. Base ingredients for soy cream are silken tofu blended with apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Texture-wise it is the same but just more grainy than sour cream. Soy is very beneficial to one’s health as it can lower the risk of diseases, stroke, and cancer. It can also help lower blood pressure and improve brain health.
Cashews
Cashews are delicious as they are but they can also replicate sour cream in any recipe. Its nutty flavor adds another dimension to its taste but the mix of vinegar and lemon juice gives it a tangy taste similar to sour cream. It is also high in fat content making it creamy and rich. Cashews are packed with protein and magnesium that are good for the health. It just needs to be soaked for hours until softened and blended to achieve a smooth and creamy texture.