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If you’re looking for a Creme Fraiche Substitute due to dietary reasons, personal preferences or simply because you don’t have any on hand, here’s a list of some of the best substitutes for creme fraiche you can use. 

A container filled with creme fraiche. A spoon sits next to the container.

If you’re making a recipe that calls for creme fraiche and you don’t have any on hand, there’s a few substitutes for creme fraiche that you can use to replace it, like sour cream, Greek yogurt, mascarpone cheese and cream cheese.

Three containers filled with creme fraiche. A spoon rests inside one of the containers.

What Is Creme Fraiche?

Creme Fraiche, pronounced krem fresh (is French for “fresh cream”) is a creamy cultured cream that is slightly richer and thicker and less tangy than sour cream. 

What Is Creme Fraiche Used For? 

Creme fraiche is often used to add a depth of flavor and creaminess to both sweet and savory dishes. It can be used to add moisture to cakes, muffins and breads. It’s used to thicken sauces, soups and stews, and it adds a creaminess to salad dressings. It also makes an elegant finishing touch to dollop over baked fruit, pies and cobblers, or grilled chicken and fish.

What Does Creme Fraiche Taste Like?

The taste of Crème Fraîche is similar to sour cream. Sour cream and crème fraîche are both cultured dairy products, but crème fraîche has a richer flavor with less of a tangy sour taste.

Two containers filled with creme fraiche. A spoon rests in one of the containers.

Substitutes For Creme Fraiche

Some Creme Fraiche substitutes are better used as a condiment served with sweet and savory dishes, while others are better used to add moisture and richness to cakes, muffins, cupcakes and breads, to thicken sauces and soups, or to use as a base for dips and dressings.

1. Sour Cream

Sour cream is a thick cultured cream with a flavor profile and consistency similar to creme fraiche. Even though the consistency of sour cream is a little thinner and the taste a little more sour tasting, it makes an excellent creme fraiche substitute. Use the same amount of sour cream as you would use for creme fraiche in any recipe. (1:1 ratio)

2. Greek Yogurt

Full fat plain unsweetened Greek yogurt has a creamy consistency similar to creme fraiche. Even though the flavor of Greek yogurt is a little more sour tasting, it still makes a good substitute for creme fraiche. Use the same amount of Greek yogurt as you would use for creme fraiche in any recipe. (1:1 ratio)

3. Mascarpone Cheese

Mascarpone cheese has a thick creamy consistency with a slightly sweet flavor. Because the consistency of mascarpone cheese is thicker than creme fraiche, you’ll want to add a splash of milk to achieve a thinner consistency similar to creme fraiche. After thinning with milk, use the same amount of Mascarpone cheese as you would use for creme fraiche in any recipe. (1:1 ratio)

4. Cream Cheese

Cream cheese has a thick creamy consistency with a slightly sweet flavor. Because the consistency of mascarpone cheese is thicker than creme fraiche, you’ll want to add a splash of milk to achieve a thinner consistency similar to creme fraiche. After thinning with milk, use the same amount of Mascarpone cheese as you would use for creme fraiche in any recipe. (1:1 ratio)

5. Crema Mexicana

Crema Mexicana has a thinner consistency than creme fraiche , but it can still be used as a substitute for creme fraiche. Use the same amount of Crema Mexicana as you would use for creme fraiche to add to dressings and sauces. With its thinner consistency, it’s not a great substitute to use for baking or making dips. (1:1 ratio)

6. Mayonnaise

Real mayonnaise has a creamy consistency like creme fraiche, though it is a little thinner and has a bit of tangy taste. It can still be used as a substitute for creme fraiche. Use the same amount of mayonnaise as you would use for crème fraîche in dips, dressings and even in some baking recipes.  (1:1 ratio)

Can You Freeze Creme Fraiche?

Creme fraiche can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. After it has thawed, the texture may be a little grainy rather than creamy like fresh creme fraiche, so it will be more suitable to use for baking with.

How To Freeze Creme Fraiche

There’s a couple of different ways you can freeze creme fraiche. For one, just simply place the container of creme fraiche, with the lid sealed tightly, directly into the freezer (marking the date on the container), or fill an ice cube tray  by the spoonfuls with creme fraiche and place it in the freezer. After the cubes are frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer bag (marking the date on the freezer bag). To thaw frozen creme fraiche, transfer the container or freezer bag directly to the refrigerator to allow it to gradually thaw over several hours.

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Two containers filled with creme fraiche. A spoon rests in one of the containers.

Creme Fraiche Substitute

If you’re looking for a Crème Fraîche Substitute due to dietary reasons, personal preferences or simply because you don’t have any on hand, here’s a list of some of the best substitutes for Crème Fraîche you can use. 

Ingredients

  • Sour Cream
  • Greek Yogurt
  • Mascarpone Cheese
  • Cream Cheese
  • Crema Mexicana
  • Mayonnaise

Instructions

  1. Sour cream. Use the same amount of sour cream as you would use for crème fraîche in any recipe. (1:1 ratio)
  2. Greek yogurt. Use the same amount of Greek yogurt as you would use for crème fraîche in any recipe. (1:1 ratio)
  3. Mascarpone Cheese. Because the consistency of mascarpone cheese is thicker than creme fraiche, you'll want to add a splash of milk to achieve a thinner consistency similar to creme fraiche. After thinning with milk, use the same amount of Mascarpone cheese as you would use for crème fraîche in any recipe. (1:1 ratio)
  4. Cream Cheese.  Because the consistency of cream cheese is thicker than creme fraiche, you'll want to add a splash of milk to achieve a thinner consistency similar to creme fraiche. After thinning with milk, use the same amount of cream cheese as you would use for crème fraîche in any recipe. (1:1 ratio)
  5. Crema Mexican. Use the same amount of Crema Mexicana as you would use for crème fraîche to add to dressings and sauces. With its thinner consistency, it’s not a great substitute to use for baking or making dips. (1:1 ratio)
  6. Mayonnaise. Real mayonnaise makes a good substitute for crème fraîche to use for dips, dressings and even in some baking recipes. Use the same amount of mayonnaise as you would use for crème fraîche in recipe. (1:1 ratio)

Notes

How To Freeze Creme Fraiche

There's a few ways to freeze creme fraiche. You can simply place the container of creme fraiche, with the lid sealed tightly, directly into the freezer (marking the date on the container), or fill an ice cube tray  by the spoonfuls with creme fraiche and place it in the freezer. After the cubes are frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer bag (marking the date on the freezer bag). To thaw frozen creme fraiche, transfer the container or freezer bag directly to the refrigerator to allow it to gradually thaw over several hours.

© The Harvest kitchen
Category: Substitutions