Is there lactose in sour cream?
Moderate — small amounts often fine.
Sour cream contains lactose — it's a cultured cream — though the cultures break down a little of it. A dollop is often tolerated, but larger amounts can add up.
Sour cream lands in the middle. It’s cream that’s been cultured, so the fermentation trims the lactose slightly, and its cream base keeps it lower than milk. A spoon on your tacos is usually fine; a whole tub through a dip or bake is where it adds up.
The sweet spot: like most cultured dairy, a modest dollop is where it sits comfortably. If you love it heavily, a lactose-free sour cream swaps in without anyone noticing.
How much lactose is in sour cream?
Sour cream carries about 2–4 g of lactose per 100 g — roughly 0.6–1.2 g in a 30 g dollop, lower than milk and trimmed a little by the cultures.
| Food | Lactose per 100 g | Per typical serve |
|---|---|---|
| Sour cream | 2–4 g | ~0.6–1.2 g (30 g) |
| Regular milk | 4.8 g | ~12 g (250 mL) |
| Lactose-free sour cream | <0.1 g | ~0 g |
Figures compiled from food-composition databases — see the full lactose chart & sources.
When to take a little care
Cream-based dips, loaded baked potatoes and sour-cream-heavy bakes stack it up. A lactose-free version is a seamless swap.
If sour cream isn't handy, reach for…
Common questions
Can lactose-intolerant people eat sour cream?
Is there lactose-free sour cream?
Is Greek yoghurt a good swap for sour cream?
Want the full picture? Grab our free Living Lactose-Free in Australia cheat sheet — it sorts 60+ foods like this one so you never have to guess at the supermarket again.