Lime Crema

This easy lime crema recipe comes together in less than 5 minutes. With just 4 simple ingredients, you’ll have a zesty, tangy, creamy sauce to take your taco night to the next level!

Everyone in my family LOVES tacos. Whether it’s Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos, Easy Spicy Salmon Tacos, or Black Bean and Corn Salsa Tacos, we simply cannot get enough!

What I’ve noticed though, is that most taco shops make their tacos with some sort of creamy sauce on top, which really kicks the flavor up a notch!

I did some research and recipe testing and found that this lime crema is the PERFECT sauce for tacos, and it will literally steal the show at the dinner table!

Let’s talk about this amazing tangy sauce…

WHAT IS CREMA? LIME CREMA VS. MEXICAN CREMA

Lime crema is a sour cream-based sauce. Add a pinch of lime, garlic, and salt and let it sit while preparing the rest of the meal, and in less than 15 minutes, you have a super flavorful sauce that will taste amazing on any Mexican dish…tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, and even soups!

I call this a “cheater” version of Mexican crema because it has similar ingredients and is used in the same way. The biggest difference is that Mexican crema doesn’t use sour cream. It uses heavy cream and buttermilk, and it has to sit for 24 hours, which makes it a bit less convenient when you’re trying to get dinner done quickly.

Both are a yummy addition to taco night, but my lime crema recipe is ready fast!

LIME CREMA RECIPE INGREDIENTS

It’s crazy to think that something so good can come from just four simple ingredients, but that’s all you need to make this lime crema recipe!

• Sour Cream: I usually use full-fat, but you can use low-fat or fat-free if that’s what you prefer. A lower-fat sour cream will make a slightly thinner lime crema. You could also substitute crème fraîche or plain Greek Yogurt if you’re in a pinch.
• Limes: For zesting and juicing. I use the medium holes in my old-school cheese grater to zest the lime.
• Granulated Garlic: You need just a tiny bit, and fresh garlic clove is a bit too overpowering in my opinion.
• Kosher Salt: Salt helps the other flavors pop. But not all salts are made the same! I love Ava Jane’s Kitchen because it doesn’t have microplastics (gross, right?) and it’s SO GOOD! Plus, you can get a free 8oz. bag of sea salt (just pay shipping and handling!).

HOW TO MAKE LIME CREMA

Follow these easy instructions for the best lime crema!

Step 1. Combine the sour cream, lime zest, fresh lime juice, garlic, and salt in a small bowl.

Tip: Keep the sour cream container and reuse it for leftover lime crema! Just be sure to label the container so you don’t mistake it for plain sour cream later.

Step 2: Whisk to combine the ingredients well. Other than the zest, you don’t want any clumps in the sauce.

Step 3: Refrigerate the lime crema until it’s time to serve, at least 15 minutes. This will give the flavors time to develop.

Store any extra lime crema in the refrigerator inside an airtight container for up to one week.

VARIATIONS FOR LIME CREMA

AVOCADO CREMA

Make the lime crema recipe with this change: Reduce the sour cream by half and add one ripe avocado, mashed well. You may want to combine the ingredients in a food processor if you want a super smooth avocado lime crema. Add additional lime juice, garlic powder, and salt as desired.

CILANTRO LIME CREMA RECIPE

Make the lime crema recipe as written, adding 2 Tablespoons of mayonnaise and ¼ cup of chopped fresh cilantro. A blender or food processor will help give you a silky-smooth cilantro lime crema recipe if you prefer, or simply whisk the ingredients together.

Tip: If you don’t have mayonnaise, here’s my Failproof Homemade Mayo recipe. You only need four ingredients and it’s ready in two minutes!

JALAPEÑO LIME CREMA

Make the lime crema recipe as written, adding ½ to 1 whole ripe jalapeño. Add additional lime juice, garlic powder, and salt as desired. If you have it, a tablespoon or two of chopped cilantro is really good in this version of crema sauce too!

Use a food processor for a smooth jalapeño lime crema sauce, or finely chop the jalapeño before whisking the ingredients together.

Tip: The more brown “wrinkles” a jalapeno has, the hotter it will be. Choose your peppers wisely!

HOW TO USE LIME CREMA SAUCE

Lime crema sauce has become a staple in our home, and I almost always have some in the fridge. If you have leftovers after taco night, here are some ways you can use it up:

• More tacos: Fish Tacos, Shrimp Tacos, Ground Beef Taco Meat
• Nachos: traditional or Buffalo Chicken Potato Nachos
• Burritos
• Carnitas
• Quesadillas
• Enchiladas: Spinach and Chicken Enchiladas, Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas
• Stuffed Baked Potatoes
• Soups: Chicken Tortilla Soup, Mexican Potato Soup
• Grilled Chicken or Carne Asada
• Use it in a homemade salad dressing: Cilantro Lime Salad Dressing, Ranch Dressing
• Dip for Fish Sticks
• Chicken Wings

EASY LIME CREAM SAUCE FAQS

MORE EASY SAUCE RECIPES

Adding a flavorful sauce can take a meal from just okay to a family favorite! Drizzle one of these easy homemade sauces into your meal plan.

• Homemade Salsa Verde
• Failproof Homemade Mayo
• Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing
• Magic Thai Peanut Sauce
• Creamy Cauliflower Sauce
• Sweet and Sour Sauce

WATCH HOW TO MAKE LIME CREMA