What can I substitute for crème fraîche?

Running low on crème fraîche? Here are the best verified substitutes, including how to adjust your measurements.

crème fraîche — ingredient substitution guide — Photo by basunga visual on Pexels

About crème fraîche

Crème fraîche is a thick, cultured cream with a rich, slightly tangy flavour and a fat content typically around 30–40%. It is widely used in both sweet and savoury cooking, valued for its ability to be stirred into hot dishes without curdling. Its velvety texture and mild acidity make it a versatile ingredient in sauces, dressings, soups, and desserts.

Best substitute

sour cream

Sour cream is the closest widely available substitute, sharing a similar tangy, cultured flavour. It has a slightly lower fat content (around 20%) and may be a touch more acidic, so it can curdle more readily at very high heat.

Use 1 cup for every 1 cup of crème fraîche — avoid boiling when using in hot sauces

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Alternative

full-fat Greek yoghurt

Full-fat Greek yoghurt provides a similar tangy creaminess and thick consistency, making it a good substitute especially in cold applications. It has lower fat and higher protein, so it is more prone to splitting when heated.

Use 1 cup for every 1 cup of crème fraîche — best used in cold or warm (not boiling) dishes

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What is crème fraîche called in other countries?

Country	Name
Australia	crème fraîche
FR	crème fraîche
United Kingdom	crème fraîche
United States	crème fraîche

Common names for crème fraîche

cultured creamFrench soured creamfresh cream

Related ingredients

buttermilk

3 substitutes available

cream cheese

2 substitutes available

heavy cream

3 substitutes available

sour cream

2 substitutes available

whole milk

3 substitutes available

yogurt

2 substitutes available

whipping

Alternative

heavy cream and sour cream blend

Combining equal parts thickened cream and sour cream replicates the high fat content and tangy flavour of crème fraîche quite accurately. This blend is more stable under heat than sour cream alone.

Use ½ cup thickened cream plus ½ cup sour cream to replace every 1 cup of crème fraîche

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Alternative

mascarpone

Mascarpone is a very rich, thick Italian cream cheese with a mild flavour. It lacks the characteristic tang of crème fraîche but provides a similar luxurious, creamy texture. A small squeeze of lemon juice can help approximate the acidity.

Use ¾ cup for every 1 cup of crème fraîche — add a small squeeze of lemon juice to mimic tanginess

dessertspasta saucesdipsdressingshigh-heat cooking

Alternative

coconut cream

Full-fat coconut cream is a dairy-free alternative that offers a similarly thick, rich consistency. It imparts a mild coconut flavour that can complement some recipes but will alter the overall taste profile noticeably.

Use 1 cup for every 1 cup of crème fraîche — best in recipes where a slight coconut flavour is acceptable

dairy-free cookingdessertssoupscurriesneutral-flavoured sauceswhipping