My sour cream sauce recipe is smokey, creamy, and oh-so-delicious. It requires just a few ingredients, which you probably already have!
We all need an arsenal of quick and easy sauces, and my sour cream sauce recipe is the most popular among my friends and family.
The base for this sauce was made by a complete accident. I ran out of mayonnaise, and all I had was sour cream. Years later, equal parts mayonnaise and sour cream are the base for many of my sauces and dressings! If you’re like me and don’t love mayonnaise, the sour cream lightens it up while adding a bit of tanginess and richness to the sauce.
The best part about this recipe, aside from how easy and delicious it is, is that it’s easily customizable. Adding salsa turns it into a quick southwest-style sauce, and you can change the flavor profile by using different flavored salsa. Adding fresh herbs like cilantro and parsley will add a fresh, herb-y flavor. Seasonings like smoked paprika or roasted cumin will add depth of flavor. A little lemon or lime juice will brighten the sauce, and the acid helps balance the richness. This is a very versatile sauce!
Sour Cream Sauce Recipe
- Minutes to make. With just five ingredients, two of which are optional, this takes no time.
- Easy ingredients. The base is equal parts sour cream, mayonnaise, and salsa. That’s it!
- Versatile. It’s the perfect cool, creamy, flavorful sauce for tacos, burritos, bowls, and more.
- Jazz it up. It’s delicious on its own, but you can add seasonings, herbs, or hot sauce to jazz it up.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The recipe only requires three ingredients, and I almost always make it that way – but it’s fun to jazz it up!
- Mayonnaise adds richness and flavor. I use Duke’s.
- Sour cream adds tang and creaminess and mellows out the mayonnaise flavor.
- Salsa. I use fire-roasted salsa for extra flavor, but use what you like.
- Optional: scallions, crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper
Pro tip. The calories in one cup of sauce are approximately 665, and the majority of those calories come from the mayonnaise. Mayonnaise is a fat, and it averages about 100 calories per tablespoon. Sour cream, however, is very low in calories, averaging about 15 calories per tablespoon. You can play around with the mayonnaise and sour cream ratios to lower the calorie count.
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How To Make Sour Cream Sauce
This is so easy that I can hardly even call it a recipe, but be sure to read the tips at the bottom of the post.
- Add the sour cream, mayonnaise, and salsa to a bowl.
- Stir well to ensure everything is well combined.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
Pro tip. Three ingredients are all you need, and I often make it with only those three. Add salt, pepper, herbs, and seasonings to taste.
Serving Suggestions
This versatile sauce can be used as a sauce, dip, or dressing. Here are some of my favorites.
- Drizzle it over protein bowls like my high-protein southwest chicken bowls.
- Serve as a dip with quesadillas or burritos.
- Stir into a southwest pasta salad with black beans, corn, tomatoes, and bell peppers.
- It’s also a great dipping sauce for chicken strips, chips, or taquitos.
Helpful Tips + Variations + Storage
Once you make the base, the variations are endless.
- Use full-fat mayonnaise and sour cream for better flavor and a creamier consistency.
- Add some of the salsa liquid or a little lime juice if it’s too thick.
- I recommend letting this hang out in the fridge for 30 to 60 minutes before serving for better flavor.
- Add your favorite hot sauce, chipotle in adobo, or cayenne for some heat.
- Cumin, smoked paprika, cilantro, lime, or jalapenos are all delicious add-ins.
- The salsa you use can completely change the flavor. I’ve made this with salsa verde in white chicken enchiladas. It was amazing!
Check out our vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, and low-carb recipes if you have food sensitivities! |
Serve This With
- Nashville Hot Chicken Tacos
- Gluten-Free Sausage Balls
- Easy Shrimp & Avocado Salad
- High-Protein Chicken Protein Bowls
- Foolproof Butter Lemon Baked Rice
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Sour Cream Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup fire-roasted salsa
- Optional: scallion for garnish, crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Add the sour cream, mayonnaise, and salsa to a bowl.
- Stir well to ensure everything is well combined.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
Notes
- If it’s too thick, add some of the liquid from the salsa – or a little lime juice.
- I recommend refrigerating for 30 to 60 minutes before serving.
- For some heat, add your favorite hot sauce, chipotle in adobo, or cayenne.
- Cumin, smoked paprika, cilantro, lime, or jalapenos are all delicious add-ins.
Nutrition
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