Out of Cream cheese, one case

Keto cream cheese substitute

5 options, ranked, with the exact amount

Use thisBest of 5 options

Use Mascarpone

Same amount as the cream cheese

Mascarpone is the closest low-carb swap for cream cheese: use the same amount, and add 1 to 2 tsp lemon juice per 8 oz for tang. Most labels show about 1 g of carbohydrate or less per ounce, against 1 to 2 g for cream cheese. Neufchatel and full-fat sour cream are also low in carbohydrate; cashew-based substitutes are not.

Verdict —: Tweak it
The tweak —: Add 1 to 2 tsp lemon juice per 8 oz for tang and mix on low speed only until smooth.
Best for —: keto cheesecake and fat bombs

One casethe full cream cheese card

Every option, one card

Ranked

Cream cheese substitutes compared
#	Substitute	Instead of cream cheese	Verdict
1	Mascarponeketo cheesecake and fat bombs	Same amountTweak it	Tweak it
2	Neufchatel cheeseany recipe written for cream cheese	Same amountWorks	Works
3	Full-fat sour creamdips and dressings	Same amountYou'll taste it	You'll taste it
4	Strained full-fat Greek yogurtdips and spreads	Same amountYou'll taste it	You'll taste it
5	Almond-based dairy-free cream cheesedairy-free keto spreads and dips	Same amountTweak it	Tweak it
Not a swap	Cashew cream	not a swapNot for this	Not for this

What changesWhat changes, option by option5 options

Mascarpone

richer, sweeter and milder

An Italian cream cheese that is higher in fat than cream cheese and has almost no tang. Most labels list about 1 g of carbohydrate or less per ounce.

Best for: keto cheesecake and fat bombs, frosting and sweet fillings, enriching sauces and soups
Prep: Add 1 to 2 tsp lemon juice per 8 oz for tang and mix on low speed only until smooth.
Suits: keto
Contains: dairy
Where it fails: Overbeaten, it turns grainy and can separate. It sets softer than cream cheese, so chill fillings longer.

Neufchatel cheese

the same tang, slightly less rich

Sold in the same block as cream cheese with about a third less fat. Carbohydrate is about the same as cream cheese, 1 to 2 g per ounce on most labels.

Best for: any recipe written for cream cheese, frosting and cheesecake, dips and spreads
Suits: keto
Contains: dairy
Where it fails: It has less fat, which matters if the recipe is counted on for fat. Fillings set a little softer.

Full-fat sour cream

tangier and lighter

Much looser than cream cheese and tangier. About 1 g of carbohydrate per 2 tablespoons on most labels.

Best for: dips and dressings, creamy sauces, added off the heat, casseroles and soups
Prep: Stir it in off the heat at the end; it curdles if it boils.
Suits: keto
Contains: dairy
Where it fails: Frosting, cheesecake, fat bombs and anything that has to hold a shape. Light and fat-free tubs are often thickened with starch, so read the label.

Strained full-fat Greek yogurt

sharper and leaner

Plain whole-milk Greek yogurt, drained overnight until thick. It carries more carbohydrate than cream cheese: roughly 6 to 9 g per cup before draining, depending on the brand.

Best for: dips and spreads, savory sauces, added off the heat
Prep: Use plain, unsweetened yogurt. Drain it in a cloth-lined sieve in the fridge 8 to 12 hours and add ¼ tsp salt per cup.
Contains: dairy
Where it fails: Frosting and no-bake fillings. Flavored and low-fat yogurts carry added sugar or more carbohydrate.

Almond-based dairy-free cream cheese

close, with a faint almond note

The dairy-free option. Carbohydrate varies by brand, and some tubs are thickened with starch, so the label decides whether it fits.

Best for: dairy-free keto spreads and dips, baked fillings
Prep: Keep it cold and mix as little as possible; it loosens when beaten.
Suits: dairy-free, vegan
Contains: tree nuts
Where it fails: Softer than dairy cream cheese in frosting and no-bake cheesecake.

Cashew cream

mild and nutty

The usual homemade vegan cream cheese. It works in ordinary cooking, but cashews are one of the higher-carbohydrate nuts, at about 9 g per ounce.

Best for: non-keto vegan cooking
Suits: dairy-free, vegan
Contains: tree nuts
Where it fails: A cup of cashew cream starts with a cup of cashews, which is far more carbohydrate than the cream cheese it replaces.

How it behaves in this recipe

In this recipeCream cheese

Cream cheese is already low in carbohydrate, about 1 to 2 g per ounce on most labels, so this page is about replacing it without adding carbohydrate. Figures here are typical label values; brands differ, so check the one you buy.

Tips for substituting cream cheese

5 tips

Buy the plain, full-fat version of whatever you use. Flavored, whipped and low-fat tubs often add sugar or starch.
Keto cheesecake: mascarpone 1:1, 1 to 2 tsp lemon juice per 8 oz, mixed on low speed, and chilled overnight before slicing.
Fat bombs and no-bake fillings need a cheese that is firm when cold. Use mascarpone or Neufchatel, not sour cream or yogurt.
Sauces: stir sour cream or yogurt in off the heat. Mascarpone can go in over low heat and melts smooth.
Compare carbohydrate per ounce on the labels, not per serving. Serving sizes differ between cream cheese, mascarpone and yogurt.

Questions

4 questions

Is cream cheese itself keto?

Plain full-fat cream cheese is high in fat and low in carbohydrate, about 1 to 2 g per ounce on most labels, which is why it appears in so many keto recipes. Flavored and sweetened tubs carry more, so read the label.

What can I use in place of cream cheese in keto fat bombs?

Mascarpone, in the same amount. It is firm when chilled and higher in fat than cream cheese. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of lemon juice per 8 ounces if you want the tang back.

Is there a dairy-free keto substitute for cream cheese?

An almond-based dairy-free cream cheese is the usual choice, used 1:1. Carbohydrate varies by brand, so compare labels. Skip cashew-based tubs and homemade cashew cream if you are counting carbohydrate closely: cashews have about 9 g per ounce.

Can I use cottage cheese or ricotta on keto in place of cream cheese?

Both work in cooking when blended smooth, but both are much lower in fat than cream cheese, and their carbohydrate varies by brand. Check the label of the tub you have and count it.