Make this zesty and delicious Lime Crema with a fantastic blend of lime zest, fresh citrus juice, and sour cream. A pinch of salt makes this lime creme sauce a creamy condiment that will add a burst of fresh flavor to your favorite dishes.
Simple but vibrant, this sauce is perfect to enhance the taste of various meals. It only takes 5 minutes to put together this homemade crema that boasts a refreshing citrus flavor and a smooth consistency!
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💚 About This Recipe
Are you looking for something to take your taco nights to the next level? This creamy and delicious sauce requires only 3 ingredients and is perfect if you already enjoy sour cream as a topping!
Fantastic with fajitas, chicken taco soup, or even a tasty taco skillet, this 5-minute sauce combines a creamy base with a tangy, zesty pop of citrus.
It doesn't get easier than this homemade lime crema, and it will add a new dimension of flavor to all of your favorite Mexican-inspired dishes!
🧂 Ingredients Needed
- sour cream - provides a creamy base with some of that slightly sour, tangy flavor.
- lime - both lime juice and zest add a nice subtle sourness and citrus zing.
- salt - helps bring out the citrus flavor.
🔪 How to Make Crema
- Add sour cream, lime juice, lime zest, and salt to a small bowl.
- Mix until well combined, then serve and enjoy!
❔ FAQs
This Spanish word translates simply to "cream" and typically refers to condiment that's similar to sour cream. It's often made with heavy cream and buttermilk, but sour cream itself can be combined with other ingredients to create a tasty lime crema sauce.
You could use just plain sour cream, or even some Greek yogurt.
Not typically, but you can add jalapeños or hot sauce to make it spicy.
💭 Expert Tips and Tricks
- To give your lime crema a drizzle-able texture, add water - a tiny splash at a time - and mix until you reach the desired consistency.
- This recipe is great to double or triple if you need a larger quantity.
- I recommend using fresh lime juice if possible, but bottled lime juice can also work in a pinch! Check out this post that answers the question Does Lime Juice Go Bad? for some info on how to store lime juice as well.
- You can also substitute lemon juice for a different citrus flavor.
- Make this crema ahead of time and allow it to chill until serving. The flavors will come together nicely if you give it some time to sit.
📌 Pair this lime crema sauce with tacos, burritos, quesadillas, rice and beans, and more! You'll love the punch of lime flavor and the rich, creamy texture of this lime creme fraiche.
💡 Substitutions and Variations
- Substitute plain Greek yogurt for sour cream if you prefer.
- If you don't have fresh lime handy, add a bit more lime juice to replace the zest.
- Be sure to taste your lime crema sauce and adjust the amount of salt and lime to your personal preference.
🥫 Storage
Keep your lime crema sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 or 5 days. I don't recommend freezing, as it will be grainy once thawed.
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
Serve your lime crema sauce as a topping for a Doritos Casserole or these Chipotle Shrimp and Asparagus Tacos, alongside this Vegetarian Mexican Lasagna, or with a bowl of Mexican-Style Mac and Cheese!
✔️ More Condiment Recipes You'll Love
- Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade - Upgrade any chicken dinner with this simple but flavorful homemade marinade!
- Poblano Pepper Sauce - Served with your favorite pasta, this creamy sauce has the perfect kick of heat.
- Creamy Mushroom Sauce with Greek Yogurt - Pair this tangy sauce with tortellini or roasted veggies for a delicious dinner or side dish.
- Homemade Hot Honey - This recipe from The Big Man's World blends the best of sweet and spicy flavors for a versatile condiment!
Homemade Lime Crema Sauce
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📋 Recipe Card
Lime Crema
Ingredients
- 4 ounces sour cream
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- zest of 1 lime
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a small bowl.4 ounces sour cream, 1 teaspoon lime juice, ⅛ teaspoon salt, zest of 1 lime
- Mix thoroughly.
Notes
- You can substitute plan Greek yogurt for the sour cream.
- Fresh lime juice will give you the brightest, most vibrant flavor, but you can absolutely used bottled juice.
- No fresh lime handy? Skip the zest and use some additional lime juice.
- If possible, make this ahead of time and chill until serving. This allows the flavors to really come together.
- Taste and adjust the amount of lime juice or salt as needed.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
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Carrie Robinson says
This sauce would be so perfect to make for taco night! 🙂 It sounds absolutely delicious.
Donalyn says
You have perfect timing - we're having Mexican food tonight, so I mixed up a bowl of this and it is SO good. Chilling in the fridge for a while - can't wait for dinner time!
Vicky says
The combination of tangy lime and sour cream is a perfect complement to so many dishes. This lime crema works great on tacos, salads, and so much more.
Shadi Hasanzade says
I'll be making a large batch of this to keep in the fridge so I can enjoy it with all kinds of food! I'm excited for some grilled chicken topped with this tasty crema!
Angela says
Such a simple and flavorful recipe! Love the fresh lime flavor!