At first glance, sour cream and mayonnaise look a lot alike — both are creamy, white, and thick. But despite appearances, they’re not the same thing at all. And no, sour cream doesn’t secretly contain mayo. They just happen to show up together in certain recipes, like dips, dressings, and sandwiches.
If you’re trying to eat a little healthier or watch your calorie intake, it’s natural to wonder: between sour cream and mayo, which one is actually better for you?
Let’s break it all down — from nutrition to taste, texture, and the best ways to use them. By the end, you’ll know exactly when to grab sour cream, when mayo works best, and which is the lighter choice for your diet.
Quick Answer: Which One’s Healthier?
If we’re talking purely about calories and fat, sour cream is generally the healthier choice. It has fewer calories and much less fat per serving compared to mayonnaise.
So, if you’re aiming to keep things lighter, sour cream will almost always be the better pick.
What’s the Real Difference Between Sour Cream and Mayo?
We’ve already established that they’re not interchangeable, but let’s look more closely at how they differ in flavor, texture, and typical uses.
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Taste: Sour cream has a tangy, slightly sharp taste that comes from fermentation. Mayo is smoother and milder, with a more neutral flavor that simply adds creaminess without the tang.
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Texture: Both are thick, but mayo is silkier and glossier. Sour cream has a slightly heavier, spoonable consistency.
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Uses: Sour cream shines in dips, baked potatoes, tacos, and recipes that need a cool, tangy contrast. Mayo is a go-to for sandwiches, creamy dressings, potato salad, coleslaw, and any dish where you want richness without acidity.
So while they may sometimes appear in similar recipes, they’re bringing completely different personalities to the table.
Sour Cream vs Mayo: Real Brand Nutrition Comparison
To make things realistic, let’s compare two actual UK products side by side: Tesco British Soured Cream and Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise (Squeezy).
Per 100g:
| Nutrient | Sour Cream | Mayo |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 174 kcal | 725 kcal |
| Fat | 17.0g | 79g |
| Saturated Fat | 11.3g | 6.2g |
| Carbs | 2.7g | 1.4g |
| Sugars | 2.7g | 1.3g |
| Protein | 2.6g | 1.1g |
| Salt | 0.06g | 1.2g |
What does this tell us?
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Calories & Fat: Mayo packs more than four times the calories and fat of sour cream per 100g. If you’re counting calories or reducing fat, sour cream is clearly the lighter option.
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Saturated Fat: Surprisingly, mayo has less saturated fat than sour cream, even though it’s fattier overall. This could matter if you’re watching your saturated fat intake.
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Salt: Mayo is significantly saltier — roughly 20 times more sodium than sour cream.
Calories Per Tablespoon: The Spoon Test
Nutritional labels can feel abstract, so here’s how they compare per tablespoon (about 15g):
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Sour cream: ~26 calories
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Mayonnaise: ~109 calories
That means one spoon of mayo gives you over four times the calories of sour cream. If you’re generous with your servings, those numbers add up fast.
What About Light Versions?
If you want to cut calories even further, you might be tempted to reach for “light” versions. Here’s what to know:
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Light sour cream often has 40–50% fewer calories than regular sour cream. Some brands go as low as ~100 kcal per 100g — about 15 calories per tablespoon. Ingredients tend to stay fairly simple.
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Light mayo varies a lot. Some brands cut calories in half, others only slightly reduce them. It usually falls between 280–450 kcal per 100g. However, light mayo often contains added starches, sugar, or gums to mimic the creamy texture, so it’s not always the most natural option.
If you’re after something lighter but still close to whole food, light sour cream is usually a cleaner choice. Or, for a healthier swap, plain Greek yogurt works well in place of either.
Which One Should You Use?
It really depends on your goal and recipe:
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Choose sour cream if you want something tangy, lighter in calories, and great for topping baked potatoes, mixing into dips, or adding a cool contrast to spicy dishes.
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Choose mayo if you need richness, smoothness, and a mild flavor that won’t overpower your recipe — like in sandwiches, creamy salads, or certain sauces.
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Choose Greek yogurt if you want a healthy, protein-rich option that works in most cases where you’d use sour cream and can sometimes replace mayo in dressings or dips.
Final Thoughts
In the battle of sour cream vs mayo, sour cream wins when it comes to calorie and fat content, making it the better everyday choice if you’re aiming for lighter meals. Mayo still has its place — its creamy texture and mild taste make it perfect for certain dishes — but it’s best used in moderation if you’re watching your intake.
And remember, healthy eating isn’t about banning foods — it’s about knowing your options and making choices that fit your needs. Sometimes that means swapping mayo for sour cream, and other times it means enjoying a little mayo guilt-free because it’s exactly what your recipe calls for.