Creamy Avocado Lime Crema
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on Dec 18, 2023
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My Avocado Lime Crema adds a pop of flavor and color to a variety of dishes. Made with just 6 ingredients in only 5 minutes, this creamy avocado sauce recipe is going to be your go-to topping and dip.
Table of Contents
The base of sour cream or plain yogurt adds a creamy texture and tang, while the ripe avocado, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice give this avocado crema its vibrant appeal. As if that weren’t enough to love, it’s totally customizable. Whether you’re a fan of spicy or prefer a milder taste, the recipe for avocado cream sauce can be adjusted to suit your palate.
Why You’ll Love This Avocado Crema Recipe
This avocado sauce is bright, zingy, creamy, and rich — all food adjectives that I love! Aside from being the perfect pairing to some of my favorite meals, this simple condiment also boasts:
- Rich & Creamy Texture: The combination of sour cream or thick Greek yogurt with ripe avocado results in a luxuriously creamy consistency that’s totally swoon-worthy.
- Fresh & Vibrant Flavor Profile: The addition of cilantro and fresh lime juice brings a zesty and herbaceous note to the sauce, creating a well-balanced flavor that compliments a variety of cuisines.
- Customizable Heat Level: The jalapeño adds a great kick. Feel free to adjust the heat up or down by adding more or less chile.
- Quick & Easy Preparation: With minimal ingredients and a few minutes in a food processor or blender, this avocado lime sauce is a snap to whip up.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Making avocado cream requires just a handful of ingredients. Here’s what to grab:
- Sour Cream or Plain Yogurt – This acts as the base of your avocado cilantro crema, providing a lovely creaminess and hint of tanginess. I typically reach for full-fat plain or Greek yogurt for the added probiotic and protein boost.
- Avocado – Make sure they’re ripe enough to indent with gentle pressure from your thumb. You can also flick off the nub on top of the fruit — if it comes off easily and reveals a bright green underside, you’re good to go.
- Cilantro – Apologies cilantro haters, this recipe may not be your cup of tea. The cilantro adds a herbaceous flavor and enhances the beautiful green hue.
- Jalapeño – In my house, tongue-tingling heat is much appreciated. While using just one jalapeño adds a bit of spice, I don’t find it overpowering.
- Lime or Lemon Juice – When it comes to citrus juice, fresh is the only way to go. To get the most juice from your fruit, remember to roll it firmly on the counter for 10-15 seconds before slicing it open.
- Salt – A touch of seasoning helps to wake up all the other vibrant flavors of this avocado dipping sauce. I suggest using fine sea salt or flaky kosher salt rather than iodized table salt, which can leave a slightly bitter aftertaste.
How To Make Creamy Avocado Sauce
Making this lime-cilantro-avocado creamy sauce is as simple as 1-2-3! Here’s how it’s done:
Step 1: Combine all the ingredients in a food processor or blender.
Step 2: Blend until smooth.
Step 3: Enjoy! Use as a dip for taquitos, drizzle it on tacos, or make a salad with it. No matter how you serve it, this creamy avocado lime sauce is sure to be a hit!
Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptations
While I think this avocado yogurt sauce is practically perfect in every way, there’s still room for you to make it your own. Here are a few variations worth considering:
- Dairy-Free – Feel free to swap in the dairy-free plain yogurt or sour cream of your choice to make this avocado taco sauce vegan-friendly.
- Extra Spicy – Feel free to amp up the spice by adding an extra jalapeño, or by swapping in slightly spicier serranos.
- Less Spicy – Cut back on the heat by carefully removing the seeds and membranes from the chiles before adding to the blender. You can dial it back even further by adding less of the de-seeded, membrane-free chile than called for.
Expert Tips
- Change the viscosity. If made as prepared, this recipe will yield a deliciously thick and creamy avocado dip. For a more drizzle-able avocado topping that can act as a salad dressing or taco sauce, simply add more liquid in the form of citrus juice.
- Use fresh citrus juice. Bottled lime or lemon juice can’t hold a candle to the real thing. Do yourself a favor and buy fresh fruit!
- Cilantro stems are a-okay. While some herb stems are tough, woody, and have a bitter flavor, cilantro stems are typically tender and full of delicious cilantro flavor. I suggest cutting off the bottom couple of inches of the stems, then toss the rest directly into your blender.
Serving Suggestions: How to Use Creamy Avocado Sauce
This lime avocado crema is delectable on dozens of my favorite dishes. Here are some creative and tasty ways to put it to use:
- Taco Topping: Generously spoon the avocado lime crema over your favorite tacos. Whether they’re filled with grilled chicken, shrimp, or vegetables, the creamy texture and zesty flavor will be a welcome addition.
- Burrito Booster: Amp up the flavor of your burritos by adding a dollop of the avocado sour cream sauce. Its richness pairs well with the fillings, providing a cool and creamy contrast.
- Dip for Chips and Flautas: Use avocado sour cream dip for tortilla chips or flautas. The creamy avocado goodness adds a delightful twist to your standard chip and dip routine.
- Bowl Enhancer: Drizzle the yogurt avocado dressing over burrito bowls to add a burst of flavor. Its creamy consistency pairs well with grains, greens, and proteins, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.
- Sandwiches: Elevate your tortas or burgers by spreading a layer of Creamy Avocado Sauce on the buns for a creamy and spicy flavor profile.
- Seafood Companion: You couldn’t ask for a better avocado sauce for fish. Pair it with these flavorful tuna patties or yummy salmon tacos!
- Grilled Veggie Drizzle: Use the avocado dip as a partner for grilled vegetables. Its creamy texture adds depth to the smoky flavors of grilled veggies.
Remember, the beauty of this avocado yogurt dip lies in its adaptability. Feel free to get creative and explore different ways to incorporate this dreamy sauce into your meals!
Frequently Asked Questions
While there is some ingredient crossover between the two, they are quite different. For starters, guacamole is typically at least a little bit chunky, whereas avocado crema is puréed until perfectly smooth.
Second, guacamole generally doesn’t have any dairy in it; all the creaminess comes from the avocados themselves. For avocado cream sauce, yogurt or sour cream plays as big of a role as the avocados.
Finally, guacamole is typically served as a dip or as an accompaniment to Mexican or Tex-Mex dishes, whereas my avocado lime crema plays triple-duty as a dip, taco sauce, and salad dressing depending on how thick or thin you make it.
Avocados turn brown because of a process called oxidation, which is what happens when it’s exposed to the air. While the acidity from the lime juice and the yogurt or sour cream will help, the avocado can still oxidize if exposed to air for long periods.
As such, it’s best to keep any leftovers in an airtight container. Make sure to press a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface before sealing the lid, or you’ll have to scoop some brown parts off next time you go to use it.
It should keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just make sure to press a piece of plastic wrap on top of the crema to prevent oxidization.
More Homemade Sauces & Condiments
- Parsley-Cilantro Chimichurri Sauce
- Baja Style Chipotle Sauce
- Authentic Red Sauce for Enchiladas
- Salsa Macha Recipe
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #muybuenocooking.
Creamy Avocado Lime Crema
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
- 1 avocado
- 1 jalapeño, chopped
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- 1 tablespoon lime or lemon juice
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
- For a thinner sauce, add more lime juice.
Notes
- Storage: It should keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just make sure to press a piece of plastic wrap on top of the crema to prevent oxidization.
- Change the viscosity. If made as prepared, this recipe will yield a deliciously thick and creamy avocado dip. For a more drizzle-able avocado topping that can act as a salad dressing or taco sauce, simply add more liquid in the form of citrus juice.
- Use fresh citrus juice. Bottled lime or lemon juice can’t hold a candle to the real thing. Do yourself a favor and buy fresh fruit!
- Cilantro stems are a-okay. While some herb stems are tough, woody, and have a bitter flavor, cilantro stems are typically tender and full of delicious cilantro flavor. I suggest cutting off the bottom couple of inches of the stems, then toss the rest directly into your blender.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photography by Jenna Sparks
