Skip Sour Cream: Make Chili With This Protein-Packed Dairy Instead

Sour cream is the perfect topping for chili, and real evidence that opposites do attract. I, for one, never have a bowl without a dollop of the stuff — until I discovered its high-protein doppelgänger, Greek yogurt.

It has all the zip and tang of sour cream since they're both fermented, but whole milk Greek yogurt has a higher protein content (about 2 grams, sometimes more, per 2 tablespoons compared to a little less than 1 gram per 2 tablespoons of sour cream). It also has a lower fat content, with 3 grams per 2 tablespoons as opposed to 5.6 grams per 2 tablespoons of sour cream. This is great for anyone hoping to amp up their protein intake or decrease fat intake.

Sour cream does still have a richer flavor, but I find that adding a pinch of salt and a bit of lime juice to Greek yogurt makes it a touch more similar. Also, since Greek yogurt has a lower fat content than sour cream, it's more likely to separate or curdle when added to hot liquids (such as chili). Low-fat Greek yogurt is even more likely to curdle. If you're planning on emulsifying your yogurt into your chili, temper it first to help prevent separation. Simply add a small amount of chili to your yogurt, stir, then add into your bowl and serve.

If you're not using Greek yogurt as an ingredient within your batch of chili, but as a topping, feel free to simply scoop your yogurt straight from the container into your bowl. The tempering method is best used for chilis such as white chicken and navy bean chili or a noodle-filled bowl of Hoosier chili, which include an element of creaminess.

Greek yogurt can also be the start of a lot of flavor exploration. Just as with sour cream, Greek yogurt can be combined with seasonings to make delicious dips. Adding a packet of ranch, for example, is a great way to add a whole heap of flavor — and also makes for a much more flavorful chili topping. You could turn things even more topsy-turvy by using Greek yogurt as a base to make a lighter take on a chili dip. Serve with tortilla chips for a creamy, fresh, protein-packed dish. If you want an even richer yogurt base, or something similar to a layered dip, strain your yogurt to make labneh (or buy it, if available), a super-thick yogurt dish often used as the base for delicious dips.