Sour Cream vs Butter
Compared on one consistent basis: per 100 g, from USDA data behind each food page.
Cream (Sour) vs Butter (Stick): nutrition per 100 g
| Per 100 g | Cream (Sour) | Butter (Stick) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 196 kcal | 717 kcal |
| Protein | 3.1 g | 0.9 g |
| Carbohydrate | 5.6 g | 0.1 g |
| Fat | 18 g | 81.5 g |
| Fibre | 0 g | 0 g |
| Allergens | Milk | Milk |
Vitamins and minerals per 100 g
| Nutrient | Cream (Sour) | Butter (Stick) |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium, Ca | 107.2 mg | 14 mg |
| Choline, total | 19.2 mg | 18.8 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Folate, DFE | 6 ug | 3 ug |
| Folate, food | 6 ug | 3 ug |
| Folate, total | 6 ug | 3 ug |
| Iron, Fe | 0 mg | 0.03 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 10.11 mg | 1.6 mg |
| Niacin | 0.1 mg | 0.04 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.47 mg | 0.11 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 102 mg | 19 mg |
| Potassium, K | 153.8 mg | 19 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.17 mg | 0.03 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 3.7 ug | 1 ug |
| Sodium, Na | 50.04 mg | 10 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.04 mg | 0.01 mg |
| Vitamin A, IU | 447 iu | 2499 iu |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 124 ug | 684 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.06 ug | 0.17 ug |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.04 mg | 0 mg |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.9 mg | 0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.39 mg | 0.07 mg |
Cream (Sour) is higher in protein and carbohydrate, and the leaner, lower-calorie choice. Butter (Stick) is higher in fat. That makes Cream (Sour) more relevant when you want protein for fullness or recovery, and Butter (Stick) when you want a richer, higher-fat option.
Full nutrition facts: Cream (Sour) · Butter (Stick)
Bottom line
Per 100 g, Sour Cream provides 196 kcal, 3.1 g protein, 5.6 g carbohydrate, 18 g fat and 0 g fiber; Butter provides 717 kcal, 0.9 g protein, 0.1 g carbohydrate, 81.5 g fat and 0 g fiber.
Looking beyond the macronutrients, Sour Cream is the better source of potassium, calcium, while Butter is the better source of vitamin A (see the vitamins and minerals table below).
Butter is almost pure fat — nearly four times the calories of sour cream. Sour cream keeps some protein, calcium and potassium from the milk.
In short: for weight loss or a bigger portion at the same calories, Sour Cream; for protein and muscle, Sour Cream. If none of those goals applies, pick by taste, price and what the recipe needs.
Want a different pair? Use the food comparison tool to compare any two foods from the same category.
Values are per 100 g from the USDA FoodData Central records behind each food page and are rounded; brands and preparation change the numbers. This comparison is educational, not medical advice.