Cilantro Lime Crema
Cilantro Lime Crema is a recipe that I'm obsessed with because it's so useful to have around. I use this creamy sauce as a dip, a topping, and for adding flavor to Mexican meals. You won't believe how quick and easy it is to make!
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Cilantro Lime Crema Recipe
What I love about this recipe is that the lime flavor really shines. Using both lime juice and zest gives it plenty of bright, tangy flavor, while there's just enough cilantro to give the crema its pretty green color without overpowering everything else.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This crema couldn't be easier to make. Everything goes into one jar and gets blended until smooth, which means there's hardly any prep and cleanup is quick.
The short ingredient list keeps things simple. You only need a few basics, and there's no cooking involved, so it's an easy recipe to pull together without much planning.
Ingredients
Sour cream makes up the creamy base of the crema. Plain Greek yogurt is a good substitute if you want something a little tangier.
Lime juice and lime zest give the crema its bright citrus flavor. Fresh lime works best here, but bottled lime juice can work in a pinch.
Fresh cilantro adds a light, fresh flavor without overpowering the lime. If you prefer less cilantro flavor, you can use a little less, or substitute it with flat leaf parsley.
Garlic powder adds a subtle savory flavor and a smooth texture. You can substitute a small amount of fresh minced garlic for a stronger garlic flavor.
Water can be used to thin the crema to your desired consistency.
Salt brings all the flavors together. Start with a small amount, then taste and adjust as needed.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Crema
Scroll down to the recipe card for the full step by step instructions! ⬇️
Jump to Recipe
- Grab a large Mason jar. I like using a wide-mouth one so the immersion blender (affiliate) has plenty of room to move around without splashing everywhere. Measure the sour cream, lime zest, garlic powder, and salt to the jar.
- Squeeze in the fresh lime juice. This is where most of that tangy flavor comes from, and it also helps everything blend together smoothly once you get going.
No immersion blender (affiliate)? No problem. A small blender or food processor will work just as well.
- Toss in the cilantro next. No need to chop it finely, since the immersion blender is going to do all the work for you. Don't stress about it looking messy going in.
- Blend until completely smooth. Give the blender enough time to break down the cilantro so the crema is smooth and creamy. Taste and add more salt or lime juice if needed, then add a little water at a time if you want a thinner consistency for drizzling.
Madison's Tips for Success:
I've tested this recipe and have successfully made it many times. Use these tips to ensure that it turns out perfectly for you, too!
- Zest the lime before juicing it. It's much easier to zest a whole lime than one that's already been squeezed.
- Start with less cilantro if you're unsure. You can always blend in a little more after tasting, but you can't take it back out.
- Use a tall container for blending. This helps keep splatters contained while giving the immersion blender room to work.
Storing and Freezing
Store the cilantro lime crema in a tightly covered jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Give it a good stir before serving again.
I do not recommend freezing crema. The sour cream can separate after thawing, which will change its consistency.
Cilantro Lime Crema FAQs
Crema is a Mexican condiment that's similar to sour cream, but it's generally thinner and milder. This version starts with sour cream and adds lime and cilantro for an easy homemade variation.
The exact shade can vary depending on the cilantro you use. Fresh cilantro will give the crema the best green color, but a little variation is completely normal.
Absolutely. Double all of the ingredients and use a larger jar, blender, or food processor. This is especially helpful when you're making it for a party.
Serving Ideas
This cilantro cream sauce is a great condiment for tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. Try it with ground beef tacos or chicken fajita tacos, either drizzled over the top or served on the side.
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Cilantro Lime Crema
Ingredients
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro roughly chopped
- 1 pinch salt
- splash of water as needed, to thin
Instructions
- Add 1 cup sour cream, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp lime zest, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ cup fresh cilantro and 1 pinch salt to a large mason jar. Blend with an immersion blender until smooth and bright green.
- Taste and adjust salt or lime juice if needed.
- Thin with a splash of water if you want a drizzle consistency.
Notes
- Zest the lime before juicing it. It's much easier to zest a whole lime than one that's already been squeezed.
- Start with less cilantro if you're unsure. You can always blend in a little more after tasting, but you can't take it back out.
- Use a tall container for blending. This helps keep splatters contained while giving the immersion blender room to work.
Nutrition
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