Crema Mexicana (Mexican-Style Sour Cream)

With a pourable consistency and a creamy, slightly tangy flavor, Crema Mexicana is a staple in our household. Similar to American sour cream or French crème fraîche, this delectable condiment is perfect for drizzling onto any number of Mexican dishes for a bit of added richness.

Made with just three ingredients and a few minutes of prep, it’s also completely attainable for any home cook!

What is Mexican Crema?

Crema Mexicana is a slightly thickened cream-based condiment that is used like sour cream. Since it is thinner than typical sour cream, you can either dollop or drizzle it onto any number of dishes like crispy pork tinga flautas, crunchy brisket nachos, or Mexican taco recipes.

Ingredients in Mexican Crema

Made with just heavy cream, sour cream, a drizzle of fresh lime juice, and a sprinkle of salt, crema Mexicana is quite easy to make.

• Heavy cream – This forms the base of Mexican crema, giving it a rich and slightly sweet taste with a thinner consistency than sour cream. Its pourable texture makes it perfect for drizzling over dishes.
• Sour cream (or buttermilk) – Sour cream adds a touch of tanginess and acidity, balancing out the richness of the heavy cream. Alternatively, buttermilk can be used instead of sour cream to achieve a similar tangy flavor while maintaining a smooth consistency. Traditional Mexican crema is often made by fermenting cream with a bacterial culture, and buttermilk helps replicate this process.
• Lime juice – Fresh lime juice is added at the end to enhance the flavor, providing a subtle citrusy brightness that complements the crema’s creamy texture.
• Salt – A pinch of salt ties all the flavors together. Fine salt is best, as it dissolves quickly and evenly, unlike coarser salts like kosher or sea salt.

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Optional Variations

Just like with sour cream, crema Mexicana is perfect for turning into a rich, flavorful sauce. Here are some of my favorite ways to spice up this traditional Mexican condiment:

• Baja Style Chipotle Sauce: Blend it with chipotles in adobo for a spicy, smoky, creamy delight.
• Creamy Avocado Salsa: Add some avocado for extra creaminess and a delightful green hue.

Have you come up with a delicious way to flavor your crema? Let me know in the comments below!

Serving & Topping Suggestions 

There are literally dozens of ways to use this delicious crema Mexicana. Here are some of my favorite applications:

• Use it just like sour cream—dollop it over Mexican tacos, Mexican enchiladas, bowls of Mexican Chili Beans, or sizzling Chicken Fajitas.
• Stir it into Espagueti Verde (Green Spaghetti with Poblano Cream Sauce) or dollop on Chicken Pozole Verde.

Substitutes For Crema

If you can’t find crema Mexicana at the store, or you’re not interested in making your own, don’t fret! You can still get pretty darn close with these easy substitutes:

• American Sour Cream. While it’s tangier and thicker than crema, you can easily thin it out with a bit of heavy cream and a big squeeze of lime.
• French Crème Fraîche. Crema actually starts out as crème fraîche, which is then flavored with lime juice and salt. Easy peasy!
• Greek Yogurt. If you’re watching your calories, use Greek yogurt as your base. Thin it out with some lime juice and add a dash of salt.
• Plain Yogurt. Plain yogurt has a consistency that’s pretty close to Mexican crema. Add some lime and salt, and you’re pretty much there!

Recipes that are better With Crema

Easy Homemade Carne Asada Nachos

Chicken Fajitas

Brisket Flautas Banderas

Camarones en Salsa de Crema Picante (Spicy Shrimp in Cream Sauce)

Did you try my recipe for homemade Crema Mexicana? If so, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!