Avocado Lime Crema
This zesty Avocado Lime Crema is smooth, creamy and bursting with fresh flavor! It’s the perfect dip for tortilla chips and is also an excellent topping for tacos, burritos and nachos!
Rich, creamy and slightly tangy, this easy Avocado Lime Crema recipe is our new go-to when we’re looking to liven up dinner. It calls for just a handful of ingredients, can be made in five minutes and adds a bit of brightness to anything it touches!
Recipe ingredients and variations
- Avocados: You’ll need two ripe avocados for this avocado lime crema. Choose avocados that are darker in color. When you press the avocado, it should be soft but not mushy.
- Sour cream: Sour cream adds creaminess and a slight tanginess to our crema.
- Garlic: Two cloves… or three or four — it’s up to you!
- Cilantro: I use half a bunch of cilantro, but this can be left out if you’re not a cilantro lover.
- Lime juice: Use freshly squeezed lime juice for best results.
- Salt: Salt balances the avocado dip. If your crema is tasting a bit flat, add a bit more salt.
- Olive oil: Olive oil helps blend the ingredients together and contributes to the rich, smooth texture.
Substitutions
- You can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream if you want a lighter option. You can also use Mexican crema for a delicious alternative — keep in mind that the consistency will be a bit thinner, but perfect for drizzling!
- Add a bit of lime zest to up the citrus flavor.
- No fresh garlic? You can use 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
Step by step instructions
This avocado lime crema with cilantro is incredibly easy to make. All you need is a food processor and about five minutes!
Step 1: Combine all ingredients in your food processor and pulse until smooth.
Step 2: Transfer to a bowl and serve as a dip or use as a condiment for your favorite tacos, quesadillas, burritos and more!
Storage
Avocado lime crema can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
How to keep avocado lime crema from turning brown: Avocados turn brown when exposed to air. While the lime juice will help somewhat with discoloration, the best way to keep your crema green comes down to storage. Place the crema in an airtight container and cover with plastic wrap. Push the plastic wrap directly into the crema so that there are no air pockets. Stir well before serving.
What to serve with avocado lime crema
This avocado lime crema can be used as dip for tortilla chips or as a condiment:
- Drizzle your crema over tacos with juicy Barbacoa or Carnitas
- Replace the guacamole with avocado lime crema in our BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos
- Serve Seared Scallops over a plate of avocado crema for a summer date night dinner
- Use it as a topping for Pupusas, Salbutes, Chicken Empanadas or Jackfruit Quesadillas
Expert tips and tricks
- Use very ripe avocados. The avocados are the star of the show so you need to make sure they’re perfectly ripe for the best flavor.
- Adjust the lime juice and salt to taste. The recipe notes the beginning amount of salt and lime juice I recommend, but more can and should be added until you get the best flavor.
- Customize the flavor. Want a little spice? Try adding a jalapeno to the mix. Or add a pinch of cumin for extra depth of flavor.
FAQs
Mexican crema is a rich dairy product with a mild flavor and pourable consistency. It is commonly used in Latin American cuisines as a topping for things like tacos and enchiladas.
Crema is less tangy than sour cream and has a thinner consistency. It also has a higher fat content, making it deliciously rich and creamy. You can use either sour cream or Mexican crema for this recipe.
To make the crema without a food processor, mash the avocado flesh until smooth. Finely chop the garlic and cilantro and add to the avocado with the remaining ingredients. It might be a bit chunkier, but it will still be delicious!
Transfer the crema to a small container and cover with a layer of plastic wrap. Press the plastic wrap directly into the dip, leaving no air pockets. Store in the refrigerator.
More dips
Loving this avocado lime crema recipe? Here are a few more salsas and dips we think you’ll enjoy:
Print
Avocado Lime Crema Recipe
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 6
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No bake
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
- 2Â ripe avocados
- ¼ cup (60 grams)Â sour cream
- 2 cloves garlic
- ¼ bunch (15 grams)Â cilantro, leaves and thin stems
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Pulse until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Adjust the salt and lime juice to taste and enjoy!
Notes
Storage:Â Avocado lime crema can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. To prevent discoloration, transfer to an airtight container and cover with plastic wrap. Press the plastic wrap directly into the crema. Stir well before serving.
Sour cream substitutes: You can use Greek yogurt or Mexican crema in place of sour cream. If using Mexican crema, please note that the consistency will be thinner – perfect for drizzling on tacos!
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