Ready to up the flavor on some of your favorite meals? (Tacos. I’m talking about tacos!) This zesty cilantro lime crema recipe is ready in minutes.
Feeling like a little south of the border fare? Check out this collection of recipes inspired by Mexico!
Ironically, the first time I tasted a flavorful lime cream sauce was not in Mexico, but at a little Mexican restaurant on Kauai. It was served on the best fish tacos I’ve ever had. I tell you, I could have eaten those tacos three meals a day.
Homemade Lime Crema Recipe
Happily, once discovered, it was easy to replicate at home for adding flavor to my favorite versions of Mexican recipes.
Ingredients
Sour cream: Use 1 cup sour cream for this recipe. I use full-fat sour cream, but you could certainly opt for a low-fat version if that’s your preference. Greek yogurt can stand in for the sour cream, but will add even more tanginess to the recipe.
Mayonnaise: Use your favorite brand to give this sauce a smoother mouth feel. Miracle Whip is not a suitable substitute.
Fresh cilantro: This herb is one that people either love or hate. I love it, and this wouldn’t be a cilantro crema without it. (If cilantro doesn’t work for you, culantro might, but I admit, I haven’t tried this.)
Lime juice and lime zest: Another critical ingredient for making this sauce sing, use both the juice and zest of a lime. Zesting a lime is done just as you would zest a lemon.
Garlic: Use fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor. They’ll give this sauce a slight bit of spiciness without overpowering.
Making this Cilantro Lime Dressing
This is so easy. Simply assemble the ingredients and measure them into the bowl of a food processor or a blender. Blend until smooth.
Serve this sauce alongside your favorite meals. If you like, funnel it into a squeeze bottle for easy application.
Using this Crema Sauce
Serve this delicious topping with your favorite Mexican-style meals. Some of my favorites:
- Instant Pot Shredded Beef for Tacos
- Avocado Quesadillas
- Shredded Beef Quesadillas
- Pork Carnitas
- And it’s a must for any Quesadilla Bar
Storage
Refrigerate the sauce for up to a week. Shake or stir before serving, as separation may occur.
More Mexican Recipes
I love to cook and eat, and am particularly fond of meals inspired by Mexico. I make no claim that any of the recipes on this site are authentically Mexican (though they are delicious!). I encourage you to visit the sites below for truly authentic meals from Mexico.
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Ingredients
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup cilantro
- ½ teaspoon lime zest
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Measure all of the ingredients into a blender or food processor; blend until smooth.
- Serve immediately, or funnel into a squeeze bottle for easy application.
- Refrigerate for up to a week.
