Is Sour Cream Gluten-free?

Find out if sour cream is safe for a gluten-free diet, what it’s made of, and get a list of gluten-free sour cream brands to shop for.

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Do you enjoy adding a dollop of sour cream to your tacos or burritos? Or do you enjoy making dips and sauces with this tangy ingredient? Maybe you have a favorite recipe that calls for sour cream in some baked goods?

If so, you may be wondering where this ingredient falls as it relates to a gluten-free diet. Like most foods you buy premade from the grocery store, you know you need to do your due diligence to ensure that the ingredient contains no gluten.

Gluten can hide in a number of places in processed foods, some obvious like wheat flour and some less so, like glucose or hydrolyzed vegetable protein.

In the case of sour cream, we know that this tangy condiment can be added to a number of recipes, but we need to understand if it contains gluten before adding it into our regular gluten-free diet.

In this post, find out what sour cream is, what it’s made of, and if it is gluten-free. We’ll also answer the questions “is sour cream dairy-free?” and “is sour cream vegan?” The post will wrap up with a list of gluten-free sour cream brands you can shop for at the store.

What is sour cream?

Sour cream is a dairy product that’s made with cream that’s been fermented with bacteria. Over time during fermentation, the cream turns to a sour flavor and thickens the cream.

This product can be used as a condiment, dip, or even used in baking. It provides a rich texture and tangy flavor to whatever dish you add it to.

What is sour cream made of?

Sour cream is made of cultured cream and milk, and enzymes. Some brands may also add additional ingredients, like whey, modified corn starch, guar gum, carrageenan, and preservatives.

The best sour cream options have minimal ingredients, like cultured cream or cultured cream and enzymes. You really don’t need all the “extras.”

What is gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in most wheat products, and acts as the “glue” that helps to hold wheat, barley, kamut, spelt, farro, durum, bulgur, rye, and semolina together to maintain their shape.

You can find gluten in whole grains, but also in many processed foods as well. If you purchase wheat bread, there will be gluten in it, because wheat by nature has gluten.

Many processed foods have hidden gluten in them in the form of gluten or wheat derivatives. These are also in the form of flavorings, binders to keep ingredients together, or other additives.

Most sour cream brands are gluten-free as there aren’t any gluten-containing grains in the products. However, like any other foods, you will want to check the ingredients list for hidden sources of gluten, just in case.

We’ll talk about specific gluten-free sour cream brands farther down in the post.

Is sour cream dairy-free?

No, sour cream contains cream and sometimes milk, making it a dairy product and not an ingredient you’ll want to eat if you follow a dairy-free diet.

If you’re looking for a dairy-free sour cream option, be sure to check out this post: Dairy-free Sour Cream.

Read on: Is sour cream dairy?

Is sour cream vegan?

No, since sour cream is made of cream or milk, it is not a vegan product. A vegan product would be one without any animal or animal products. Dairy is considered an animal product, so it’s not a good choice for a vegan diet.

What brands of sour cream are gluten-free?

There are a number of brands of sour cream that are safe for a gluten-free diet. Check out these options next time you’re at the store.

Cabot

Cabot brand of sour cream is gluten-free. The Cabot website says that most of their products (not just the sour cream) “have been researched and verified to be gluten-free and are produced in a gluten-free environment.”

Clover

The Clover website confirms that their sour cream is gluten-free.

Daisy

Though there isn’t a specific gluten-free statement on the Daisy website, I was able to find a PDF from the Daisy brand that states that this product is gluten-free.

Darigold

The Darigold website confirms that their sour cream options, both the original and Mexican style sour cream, are gluten-free.

Friendship Dairies

According to the Friendship Dairies website, all of their products, including their sour cream, are gluten-free.

Horizon Organic

On the Horizon Organic website, a question is asked in their Ingredients, Health, and Safety section “Are Horizon Organic milk products okay for people with wheat and gluten allergies?”

Their response is as follows:

“We make every effort to ensure that Horizon Organic milk products are free of wheat, wheat gluten, rye, oats, barley and malt. While it is virtually impossible to be certain that each carton is 100% free of all gluten, Horizon Organic milk products are suitable for most people with wheat and gluten allergies. People with severe allergies should consult a doctor before introducing a new food.”

Kemps

Kemps brand of sour cream and their sour cream based dips are gluten-free, according to their website.

Kite Hill

Kite Hill is a dairy-free sour cream option for folks who are following a dairy-free diet. This brand uses almond milk and coconut oil as a base for their sour cream alternative. This brand is also gluten-free, according to their website.

Nancy’s Organic

The Nancy’s Organic website shows that their two sour cream options are both gluten-free.

Organic Valley

Organic Valley lists their sour cream as gluten-free, making this a good option for your gluten-free diet.

Straus Family Creamery

The Straus Family Creamy website makes the following gluten statement for all their products:

“Our organic dairy products, including all flavors of yogurt, ice cream, types of sour cream, butter, and milk are gluten free. Equipment used in our facility is not shared with any products that contain gluten.”

Tillamook

The Tillamook website states that “Our Tillamook Sour Cream does not contain any major allergens other than milk, and is produced in a facility that does not contain any major allergens besides milk.”

You can feel okay enjoying this brand of sour cream on a gluten-free diet.

Tofutti

Tofutti is another brand of dairy-free sour cream that is a good option if you avoid dairy in addition to gluten. This brand uses a base of soy milk to make their sour cream alternative.

Tofutti states on their website:

“All Tofutti cheese and sour cream products are gluten free, including any distilled vinegar used in Tofutti cheese and sour cream products is gluten free.”

I hope if you’ve been looking to find out if sour cream is gluten-free, that this post has helped you get the information you’ve been looking for. Most sour cream brands are gluten-free, but it’s never a bad idea to check ingredients lists and review the packaging for gluten-free labels.

If you also follow a dairy-free diet, be sure to check out some dairy-free sour cream alternatives that are also gluten-free. See more details on this topic here: Dairy-free Sour Cream Brands

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