Sour Cream — Cups to Grams

1 cup of sour cream = 230 grams

1 cup of sour cream weighs approximately 230 grams. Use the converter below for custom amounts, or check the full conversion table.

Sour Cream Converter

Amount

Result

230 g

Why Does Sour Cream Weigh 230g Per Cup?

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Sour cream is almost the same density as water — at 230g per cup versus water's 237g, it's about 97% as dense. The thick, creamy texture might suggest it's heavier, but the fat content actually makes it slightly lighter than water. Full-fat and light sour cream have similar densities.

A cup of sour cream (230g) weighs almost the same as a cup of Greek yoghurt (245g) and slightly less than a cup of cream cheese (232g). It's similar to other cultured dairy products. Compared to heavy cream (240g per cup), sour cream is slightly lighter despite being thicker, because culturing changes the structure.

When Does Precision Matter for Sour Cream?

Sour cream precision matters most in baking, where it affects moisture, tenderness, and leavening. In cakes and muffins, being off by more than 15% noticeably changes texture. In cheesecakes, the sour cream layer ratio affects tanginess and creaminess. For dips, dressings, and toppings, precision doesn't matter — adjust to taste and desired consistency. When substituting for other dairy, precision matters more.

How to Measure Sour Cream Correctly

Sour cream should be measured by spooning it into the measuring cup and levelling it off — don't pack it. For accuracy, especially in baking, use a kitchen scale. Sour cream's thick consistency can trap air pockets, making volume measurements less reliable. Stir before measuring if it has separated. Bring to room temperature before adding to batters to prevent curdling.

Understanding Sour Cream Measurements

Sour cream is cream that's been fermented with lactic acid bacteria, giving it a thick texture and tangy flavour. One cup of sour cream weighs approximately 230 grams. Regular sour cream contains 18-20% fat; light versions have 10-12% fat. The acidity (similar to buttermilk) makes it valuable in baking, where it tenderizes gluten and reacts with baking soda for leavening.

Common Uses in Baking & Cooking

Sour cream adds moisture and tenderness to baked goods — it's the secret to exceptionally moist cakes and muffins. It's essential in Eastern European cuisine (stroganoff, pierogies, borscht). As a topping, it cools spicy dishes like chilli and tacos. It's the base for dips (French onion, ranch) and enriches mashed potatoes. In cheesecakes, it creates a creamy, tangy layer. If you need a substitute, see our Sour Cream substitution guide.

Storage and Handling Tips

Store sour cream in the refrigerator and use within 2-3 weeks of opening. Some liquid separation is normal — stir it back in. Never leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If it develops pink or green mould, an off smell, or tastes bitter, discard it. Don't freeze sour cream — it separates irreversibly and becomes grainy.

Need to convert sour cream to other units? Try our cups to grams converter or tablespoons to grams converter.

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Sour Cream Conversion Table

Amount	Grams	Ounces
1 teaspoon	4.79g	0.17 oz
1 tablespoon	14.4g	0.51 oz
¼ cup	57.5g	2.03 oz
⅓ cup	76.7g	2.7 oz
½ cup	115g	4.06 oz
⅔ cup	153g	5.41 oz
¾ cup	173g	6.08 oz
1 cup	230g	8.11 oz
1½ cups	345g	12.2 oz
2 cups	460g	16.2 oz

Sour Cream — US, Metric & UK Cup Conversions

Cup sizes vary by country. This table shows how much sour cream weighs when measured with US cups (most online recipes), metric cups (Australia, NZ, Canada), or UK/Imperial cups.

Amount	US Cup(236.6 ml)	Metric Cup(250 ml)	UK Cup(284 ml)
¼ cup	57.5g	60.8g	69.1g
⅓ cup	76.7g	81g	92.1g
½ cup	115g	122g	138g
⅔ cup	153g	162g	184g
¾ cup	173g	182g	207g
1 cup	230g	243g	276g
1½ cups	345g	365g	414g
2 cups	460g	486g	552g

Note: US cups (236.6 ml) are standard in most online recipes. Metric cups (250 ml, used in Australia, NZ, Canada) hold 5.7% more. UK/Imperial cups (284 ml) hold 20% more than US cups.

Need a Substitute?

Out of sour cream? We've got 2 tested alternatives with exact ratios.

Greek Yoghurt(1:1)

Crème Fraîche(1:1)

See all alternatives for Sour Cream →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I substitute Greek yoghurt for sour cream?▼

Yes, Greek yoghurt is the best substitute — use equal amounts. Full-fat Greek yoghurt is closest in richness and texture. The result will be slightly tangier and less rich. For baking, this substitution works well. For dips and toppings, the difference is minimal. Low-fat yoghurt works but produces less rich results.

Why did my sour cream curdle when I added it to hot food?▼

Sour cream curdles when added to high heat because the proteins coagulate. To prevent this: temper the sour cream by stirring a small amount of hot liquid into it first, then add to the pot. Or add sour cream at the end of cooking, off the heat. Stirring in a little flour or cornstarch before adding also helps stabilize it.

What's the difference between sour cream and crème fraîche?▼

Both are cultured cream, but crème fraîche has higher fat content (30-40% vs 18-20%) and is less tangy. Crème fraîche is more stable when heated and won't curdle as easily. It's also thicker and richer. They can often be substituted for each other, but crème fraîche is better for hot sauces and sour cream is tangier for dips and toppings.

How many grams in 1 cup of sour cream?▼

One US cup of sour cream weighs approximately 230 grams. In a metric cup (250ml), it's about 243g. In a UK Imperial cup (284ml), it's about 276g. Light and full-fat sour cream have similar weights.

Can I make sour cream at home?▼

Yes. Mix 1 cup heavy cream with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar, or with 2 tablespoons buttermilk. Let sit at room temperature for 24 hours (for buttermilk method) or 10 minutes (for acid method), then refrigerate. The buttermilk method produces authentic cultured sour cream; the acid method is quicker but less complex in flavour.

More Dairy

Butter227g/cup Whole Milk244g/cup Double Cream240g/cup Cream Cheese232g/cup Greek Yoghurt245g/cup Single Cream240g/cup Buttermilk245g/cup Condensed Milk306g/cup Evaporated Milk252g/cup Mascarpone227g/cup Ricotta246g/cup Cottage Cheese226g/cup Whipping Cream238g/cup Milk Powder128g/cup

Related Converters

Cups to Grams Cups to Ounces Tablespoons to Grams Teaspoons to Grams

Values are approximate and can vary depending on how the ingredient is measured. For precision baking, we recommend using a digital kitchen scale.