Quick Cilantro Lime Crema
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My cilantro lime crema is made from scratch with simple ingredients in only 2 minutes! We absolutely love it on ground beef and chorizo tacos. It’s the perfect way to freshen up any heavy dish. I hope you love it as much as we do!
What is Crema?
Traditional crema is a rich, creamy dairy sauce that is fermented. My quick sour cream lime cilantro crema is similar, just without the fermentation.
Inspiration Behind My Cilantro Lime Crema Recipe
My husband and I tried crema last year at a taco place and absolutely loved it, so I decided to make my own one night. We used it on some homemade chorizo tacos, and it really lightened them up.
Fast-forward a few months and I realized every time we use crema, we add cilantro to the food. This got me thinking: why not combine the two into one? So I put them together! Ever since, we haven’t looked back. It’s so fresh and delicious!
Why We Love This Crema (And Think You Will Too!)
- Only takes 2 minutes: From start to finish, you can whip it up in only a few minutes!
- Perfect for heavy dishes: This crema refreshes and brightens heavy beef and pork dishes.
- Wholesome ingredients: There are only a few simple ingredients, no added sugar or nasty additives. Just real, whole foods!
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Cilantro Lime Crema
Note: Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post for measurements
- fresh cilantro leaves: I like to use organic
- sour cream: I use Daisy for minimal ingredients
- lime juice: fresh is best
- sea salt: this is my favorite wholesome salt
Substitutions and Variations
- You can swap the fresh lime juice for pure bottled lime juice.
- Instead of lime, use lemon juice for a different flavor.
Helpful Kitchen Tools to Make this Recipe
This section contains affiliate links to items I use and love for this recipe. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
My Tips for Making Quick Homemade Crema
- Read the entire recipe before you get started so you know what to expect.
- Follow the recipe exactly how I’ve written it the first time you make it. I’ve developed and tested it many times to ensure it’s successful.
- Chop the fresh cilantro into small pieces so they aren’t too big for mixing.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Crema
Note: Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post for the full written recipe.
Finely chop cilantro leaves with a knife into small pieces.
Add to mixing bowl with sour cream, lime juice, and sea salt. Mix to evenly combine.
Can I make this recipe in a blender?
Yes, you’re more than welcome to add everything into a blender and pulse to combine.
How can I make this crema thinner?
For a thinner crema, just add an extra tablespoon or two of lime juice. It’ll thin it out.
My Favorite Way to Use Cilantro Lime Crema
My husband, Tyler, and I love using this creamy cilantro sauce for tacos! It’s our favorite for ground beef and chorizo tacos because it freshens them up.
You could also use it on sandwiches as a spread or drizzle it over nachos. Here are a few recipe ideas you can try it with:
- Sheet Pan Chipotle Chicken Peach Tacos
- Sheet Pan Chipotle Pineapple Chicken Tacos
- Baked Mexican Chicken Skewers
- Simple Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
Storage Instructions
Store homemade crema in a glass, airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Enjoy!
More Homemade Sauces To Try
If you’re looking for more homemade sauce recipes, try a few of these:
- Alabama White BBQ Sauce
- Homemade Buffalo Sauce
- Homemade Honey Mustard
- Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
If you made this recipe, give it a 5-star rating below and share a photo on your social media stories! Be sure to tag me @plumbranchhome. You can find our community on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest (all @plumbranchhome)
Recipe
Quick Cilantro Lime Crema
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/3 cup sour cream (I use Daisy for minimal ingredients)
- 1 Tbsp lime juice (use more if you want it thinner)
- 1/8 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Finely chop cilantro leaves with a knife into small pieces.
- Add to mixing bowl with sour cream, lime juice, and sea salt. Mix to evenly combine.
- Use right away or store in a glass, airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Enjoy!