Is there gluten in sour cream? Plain sour cream is naturally gluten-free, and most major US brands are gluten-free. The ones to read carefully are light, fat-free and flavored versions, which can have added starches or seasonings.
It’s a popular household staple. Whether you’re using it as a dip for tortilla chips or dropping a dollop onto your tacos, its tangy flavor is the perfect addition to many dishes. Let’s take a closer look.
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What Is Sour Cream?
Sour cream is a thick, tangy dairy product. It’s made by souring cream with lactic acid bacteria. The bacteria thicken the cream and give it that tang. In the US, sour cream has to be at least 18% milkfat, and the main ingredient is cultured cream. Some brands add milk, enzymes, or thickeners and stabilizers.
You can add sour cream to almost anything, such as:
- Chili
- Burritos
- Tacos
- Soup
- Nachos
- Baked Goods (Cakes, Cookies)
Learn more about: High Calorie Gluten Free Foods
Is Sour Cream Gluten-Free?
Most sour cream brands don’t contain any gluten ingredients, but it’s still worth checking. Light and fat-free versions sometimes use modified food starch or other thickeners. In North America, modified food starch is usually made from corn or potato, and in the US, wheat has to be named on the label if it’s used. More on that in Is Modified Corn Starch Gluten Free?
Flavored sour cream dips can have seasonings that contain gluten, so read those labels carefully too.
There’s also a chance of cross-contact, depending on how a product is made. Cross-contact is when a gluten-free food comes into contact with gluten, for example on shared equipment.
But the good news is, most leading brands are gluten-free. We’ll look at some of the best below. We’re spoiled for choice!
Is There Gluten In Cream?
Cream is the main ingredient in sour cream. Plain milk and cream are naturally gluten-free. If you’re buying cream from the store, it’s still worth a quick check of the label, but plain cream is just made from milk. You can read more in Is Heavy Whipping Cream Gluten Free?
Sour Cream Gluten-Free Brands
Let’s take a look at some gluten-free brands we can enjoy. Almost all plain sour creams you come across will be gluten-free.
Daisy
Daisy is one of the best-known sour cream brands in the US and easy to find in most grocery stores. It’s made from one ingredient, cultured cream, with no thickeners or stabilizers. Daisy says its sour cream is free from gluten, and you can even get it in a squeeze bottle.
Cabot Sour Cream
Cabot sour cream is made from cultured cream, nonfat milk and enzymes. The label carries a gluten-free mark.
Organic Valley Sour Cream
One of my favorite sour creams is Organic Valley. It really is rich and creamy! The ingredients are organic cultured nonfat milk, organic cream, cultures and enzyme. Organic Valley says it’s gluten-free, and it’s perfect for things like cheesecake.
Nancy’s
Nancy’s organic sour cream is made from organic milk and cream cultured with probiotics, with no thickeners. It has no gluten ingredients. Nancy’s doesn’t make a gluten-free claim that I could find, so check the tub.
Straus Family Creamery Organic
Straus Organic Sour Cream comes in 8 oz and pint sizes. It’s made with just organic milk and cream, cultures and enzymes. Straus says its sour cream is gluten-free and that no equipment is shared with gluten-containing products, though the facility isn’t certified gluten-free.
A Note on Horizon
Horizon Organic used to make a sour cream, but it’s no longer on their product list. Their general gluten statement says they make every effort to keep products free of wheat, barley, rye, oats and malt, but can’t guarantee 100% gluten-free.
Make It Yourself
If you’d like to try making sour cream yourself, it’s easy! You’ll need heavy cream, plain yogurt, a little white wine vinegar and some seasoning. Pop it all in a mason jar, give it a shake, and leave it to thicken. Use plain, unflavored yogurt and check the vinegar and any seasoning blend for gluten (distilled and wine vinegars are gluten-free; malt vinegar is not).
Stick With Sour Cream!
As you can tell, there are plenty of options out there. Most plain store-bought sour creams are gluten-free, but checking the label is the most important thing, especially for light, fat-free and flavored versions. Choose products clearly marked gluten-free when you can.
What’s your favorite sour cream brand? And what’s your favorite dish to add it to? I’m going to be boring and say I love it as a dip with tortilla chips – you can’t beat a classic. Feel free to leave your answers in the comments below. If you like it with ranch seasoning, see Is Dry Ranch Dressing Gluten Free?, and for more sneaky ingredients, our hidden gluten guide.
Read more about: Does Nutella Have Gluten?
Sources: 21 CFR 131.160 (sour cream); Beyond Celiac on modified food starch; Daisy; Cabot; Organic Valley; Nancy’s; Straus FAQ; Horizon FAQ.
Club Gluten Free shares practical, well-researched guides to gluten-free ingredients, products, restaurants and recipes. We check manufacturer statements and celiac organization guidance, and update our guides when products change.