Move over Daisy, this herby, tangy, creamy garnish is gonna be your new favorite. You probably won’t find Cilantro Lime Crema at the grocery store, but don’t worry this recipe is super easy and takes hardly anytime at all to make. Drizzle it over soups, salads, tacos, grilled meats and veggies, whatever!
Jump to Recipe“The Crema of the crop when it comes to Mexican garnishes”
-Punny quotair
What is Cilantro Lime Crema?
Crema is Mexico’s version of sour cream or France’s crème fraîche. It’s traditionally made with buttermilk and heavy cream, lime juice, and a little salt. But we simplify it a bit and use a combination of high quality mayo and sour cream.
The kick of lime juice and the salty finish makes for a super unique and addicting sauce. Add some fresh cilantro and you’ve got one kick ass topper for anything from fish tacos to salads! Try it once and you’ll be hooked. Enjoy!
CILANTRO LIME CREMA RECIPE
Cilantro Lime Crema Ingredients
Here’s a list of everything you’ll need to make this Cilantro Lime Crema recipe.
- Mayo: We prefer Duke’s Mayo. It’s high quality good stuff, but whatever you got will work.
- Cilantro: For this crema recipe, we roughly chop 1/3 of a bushel of fresh cilantro. Add more if you like. Cilantro IS in the name, so go crazy, use half a bushel!
- Sour Cream: We prefer Tillamook, but if you can’t get it, Daisy is fine.
- Lime Juice: Use the zest and the freshly squeezed juice from one lime for this Crema recipe.
- Salt: Just a pinch or two will do. Kosher is fine, or throw that pinky out and use some flakey sea salt. Like Maldon Sea Salt Flakes.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Crema
Follow these step by step instructions to make this cilantro lime crema recipe.
Step 1: Combine Ingredients
Grab 1/3 of a bushel of cilantro, pick off the leaves, and roughly chop the herbs. Squeeze juice and zest from one lime, and combine it with the mayo, sour cream, salt, and cilantro.
Step 2: Blend Ingredients
Pulse the mixture in a blender until everything is smooth and combined. The Cilantro Lime Crema will have a nice green hue.
It may seem pretty watery at first, but it will solidify a little once it’s been chilled in the refrigerator. However crema is traditionally thinner than sour cream.
Step 3: Adjust for Taste
Taste the mixture and add more lime juice or salt, depending on your preferences. Transfer to an air tight container and store in the fridge.
How to Use Cilantro Lime Crema?
Cilantro Lime Crema can be used as a versatile condiment or topping, drizzled over dishes like tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and soups. It brings a creamy, tangy, delicious element to whatever you decide to throw it onto. Here are some of our favorite recipes to top with this Crema.
Beef Enchiladas with Green Sauce: Gooey goodness galore, these beefy cheesy enchiladas are the perfect vessel to carry a heavy dose of Cilantro Lime Crema.
Cheesy, Crispy, Pulled Pork Tacos: These crispy tacos are packed full of Monterey Jack cheese and juicy pulled pork. We fry them in their own fat, and then top em with the Cilantro Lime Crema. Yup, you just won taco night!
Roasted 5 Pepper & Pork Green Chili Recipe – Chili Verde: juicy fall apart pork shoulder, sautéed onions and tart tomatillos, this pork green chili dances all the way down your belly. Cool it off and add some more tang with the cilantro lime crema.
Storing Cilantro Lime Crema
Store your Cilantro Lime Crema in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator. It’ll be good for up to a week.
Don’t freeze it though. Freezing it will affect the texture and the flavor, especially the creamy components. The sour cream and mayonnaise tend to separate after thawing, and the water and ice crystals that form during freezing can also change the texture of the dressing. Gross
More Sauces
Did you dig this recipe? Want some more fun saucy recipe ideas? We got you covered here at marriedforthemeals. So check out these recipes and let us know what you think. Happy sauce’n!
Need a little more kick to your crema? This creamy, spicy jalapeño & avocado lime crema is the perfect sauce to help flavor blast whatever dish you might be cooking up. It goes great on steak, chicken, or fish. Use it as a marinate, a sauce topper, or even as a dip alongside some salsa.
We love to dip our pizza or chicken nuggets into this Buffalo Ranch Dressing. It is also wonderful on a Cobb or taco salad.
This Dill Pickle Ranch Dressing Sauce has an unrivaled balance of herby creamy goodness and tangy brininess. It’s the perfect accompaniment to any salad, side dish, chicken wing, or shameful midnight finger dip.
This tangy, spicy, smoky Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce packs a punch. It’s a South Carolina staple tweaked to smack your taste buds around and leave them wanting more.
Cilantro Lime Crema FAQ’s
What is cilantro lime crema?
This garnish is a creamy and slightly tangy condiment that resembles sour cream but has a thinner consistency and a herby flavor.
can i make this crema spicy?
Sure! Toss a chopped jalapeño into the blender with the other ingredients.
How do i make This crema?
Simply blend all the ingredients together to make this delicious garnish.
How long will this crema last in the refrigerator?
It is best to consume homemade crema within a week, ensuring that it is stored in a clean, airtight container in the refrigerator.
[…] Cilantro Lime Crema – Mexico’s Crème Fraîche with a Herby Kick! […]