Cilantro Lime Crema
Jump to RecipeThis Cilantro Lime Crema is a tangy sauce made from sour cream, greek yogurt, cilantro, spices, and lime. This delicious sauce adds flavor to chicken tacos, chicken lettuce wraps, taco bowls, enchiladas, and taquitos.
😋 Why this recipe works
This crema or sauce is the perfect tangy and creamy condiment for Mexican dishes. It’s thicker than sour cream because we add Greek yogurt to our recipe. In addition, we add cumin powder, which adds a bit more flavor than just tanginess. It gives this crema a robust and rounded flavor.
📔 What is Mexican Crema
Mexican Crema is a creamy and slightly tangy condiment with sour cream and yogurt. It’s thicker, richer in flavor, and used as a finishing touch to Mexican dishes like tacos and enchiladas. It also tones down the heat and spiciness of chiles used in Mexican cuisine.
🌱 Ingredients
This zesty cilantro lime sauce is made with simple ingredients, all of which you can get at any local grocery store.
Here are some of our recommendations/tips with the ingredients for the recipe:
- Use greek yogurt for a thicker and richer flavor. If you have none, omit it and use more sour cream. Both will give you a delicious sauce.
- We prefer full-fat sour cream for that cream flavor, but you can use low-fat if needed. Just note that it won’t be as thick and rich in flavor.
- Use ground cumin or ground whole cumin seeds. Adding cumin will balance the tanginess of the sour cream and add a rounded flavor.
- Use fresh lime juice. For freshness, avoid the pre-lime juice that is sold. Those aren’t fresh and have preservatives added. It’s not fresh.
See the recipe card for full ingredient information and quantities.
🥣 How to Make
This crema sauce is easy to make and lasts several days in the fridge. It also will thicken after being refrigerated.
Blend it up.
Add all ingredients to a blender, food processor, or chopper grinder and blend on low speed for 1 minute or until cilantro is fully chopped and blended in the sauce.
Chill & ready to use.
Once fully blended, transfer to a container to store in the fridge for about 30 minutes or until ready to use. Add to chicken tacos, burritos, taco bowls, etc.
The crema will thicken when refrigerated, which is normal. Just give it a quick stir before using it.
📋 Recipe FAQs
Mexican crema has a higher fat content than sour cream and is thicker in texture. Mexican crema is also a substitute for American sour cream.
Cover homemade crema with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes to thicken the crema. If you use a blender to make the crema, store it in the fridge to thicken up before using.
- Mince the cilantro and green onion if you don’t have a chopper or blender. You can easily make this without a blender or a chopper. First, you will need to mince the cilantro and green onion, and then you can whisk all ingredients together in a bowl.
Related Recipes
Looking for something similar to this recipe? Check out our other recipes before you go.
- Check out our Harissa Cashew Sauce; it adds a great depth of flavor to Mexican dishes.
Pairing Recipes
Looking to pair this recipe with something else? Check out our other recipes before you go.
- These Veggie Tacos and these Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos are perfect with this cilantro crema.
- These Chicken Taco Lettuce Wraps or Pork Tacos go great with this crema.
- This crema makes this red cabbage slaw a mouthwatering appetizer or side for your Mexican dishes.
We hope you all love our recipe. Enjoy! ♡
Did you try our Clianto Lime Crema recipe? Please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I love hearing from you! ♡
Cilantro Lime Crema
- 1 cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 handful cilantro , about 3/4 cup
- 2 green onion , about 1/4-1/3 cup
- 2 tbsp lime juice , plus more to taste
- 1 tsp lime zest , about 1/2 lime
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp cumin powder , plus a pinch more to taste
- ½ tsp salt , plus more to taste
- Blend it up.Add all ingredients to a blender or chopper grinder and blend on low speed for 1/2 minute or until cilantro is thoroughly chopped and blended in the sauce.
- Chill & ready to use.Once fully blended, transfer to a container to store in the fridge for about 30 minutes or until ready to use. Add to tacos, burritos, taco bowls, etc.The crema will thicken when refrigerated, which is normal. Just give it a quick stir before using it.
- Use greek yogurt for a thicker and richer flavor.
- You can easily make this without a blender or a chopper. First, you will need to mince the cilantro and green onion, and then you can whisk all ingredients together in a bowl.
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