This lime crema recipe will have you whisking your way to a brighter, tangier meal in just 5 minutes. Just 4 easy ingredients blend into a smooth, flavorful sauce that’s perfect for dolloping on tacos, quesadillas, swirling into soups, or adding a creamy pop to bowls and salads.
Let me tell you about a little trick I love to keep up my sleeve – my homemade lime crema. It’s like a magic touch that transforms any dish from good to ‘can’t stop eating’.
And guess what? You need just four simple ingredients, probably sitting in your fridge right now! It’s all about that rich sour cream getting zesty with fresh lime, becoming this irresistibly smooth and tangy sauce.
I drizzle it over everything – tacos, soups, you name it. Every time I bring it to the table, it’s like an instant flavor party. So, let’s whip up a batch together, and watch your everyday dishes turn into something extra special. It’s our little secret to making meal times exciting again!
What Is Lime Crema?
The original crema recipe from Mexican cuisine is a thick, creamy sauce similar to sour cream but slightly tangier and thinner. It’s made by fermenting heavy cream with a starter culture or buttermilk until it thickens and develops a slightly sour taste.
This mixture is often seasoned with a touch of salt and occasionally other flavors like garlic or cilantro. The result is a smooth, rich sauce that has a refreshing balance of acidity and creaminess, making it a popular addition to a variety of dishes.
Lime crema is particularly favored for its ability to complement the flavors of Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes such as tacos, burritos, nachos, and salads, offering a burst of zest and a smooth, cooling contrast to spicy elements.
Lime Crema Recipe Ingredients
You will need only 4 ingredients you may already have in your pantry to create this delicious lime crema recipe. Here is a list of everything you will need:
- Sour Cream – This is the base in my lime crema recipe and is used to add a rich, smooth texture and a tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the rest of the ingredients.
- Lime Zest – used to intensify the citrus aroma and provide additional flavor. It
- Lime Juice – use freshly squeezed lime juice for this recipe to give this lime cream a distinct citrus flavor.
- Garlic Cloves – used to enhance the flavor profile and add a savory note to the sauce.
- Salt – to taste; just to enhance all the flavors from this lime crema recipe.
How To Make Lime Crema Recipe
You won’t believe how easy it’s to prepare this lime crema recipe at home in such a short time without needing any cooking skills. Here are the steps that you need to follow:
Wash the lime, then zest it and squeeze the lime juice into a large bowl.
Add the sour cream, salt, and minced garlic over the lime juice and zest.
Whisk until well combined.
Transfer the sauce to an airtight container and store until ready to use.
Storing Ideas
- Fridge: transfer the sauce to an airtight container with a secure lid or glass container and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: If there are any lime crema leftovers that you won’t consume in the next few days, you can store them in the freezer in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. You just need to know that the texture may change slightly once thawed.
How To Serve Lime Crema
As I said at the beginning, this lime crema is a versatile condiment that can be enjoyed in various ways. Here are some ideas to enjoy the flavors of this lime crema:
- Spread this easy lime crema over your quesadillas before serving for an extra burst of flavor.
- You can use it as a dip for tortilla chips alongside salsa or guacamole.
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How To Store
- Fridge: transfer the sauce to an airtight container with a secure lid or glass container and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: If there are any lime crema leftovers that you won’t consume in the next few days, you can store them in the freezer in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. You just need to know that the texture may change slightly once thawed.
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Lime Crema Recipe
Description
Ingredients
- 8 oz sour cream
- 1 lime juiced and zested
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Wash the lime, then zest it and squeeze the lime juice into a large bowl.
- Add the sour cream, salt, and minced garlic.
- Whisk until well combined.
- Transfer the sauce to an airtight container and store until ready to use.
Notes
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.