This Avocado Crema is made from blended ripe avocados, sour cream, lime juice, and seasonings, for a rich and tangy flavor. And it only takes 5 minutes to make!
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Why you’ll love this Avocado Crema recipe
You’ll love this recipe for avocado crema because it’s incredibly easy to make, and requires a handful of simple ingredients and minimal effort.
And of course, it pairs wonderfully with other Mexican-inspired dishes, especially if they’re spicy!
More Sauce Recipes To Try
Quesadilla Sauce
Easy Cowboy Butter
Honey Sriracha Sauce
Garlic Sauce
Ranch Sauce (No Buttermilk)
African Peri Peri Sauce
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Avocados: Use ripe avocados for the best flavor and creamy texture.
Sour cream: Sour cream provides a rich and tangy flavor to the sauce. Substitute with Greek yogurt for a healthier alternative without compromising on creaminess.
Lime juice: I recommend using freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavor, bottled lime juice works just as well.
Garlic: Minced garlic adds a nice savory kick to the dip. If you’re not a fan of garlic or want a milder flavor, you can reduce or omit it.
Cilantro (optional): Fresh cilantro adds a bright and herbaceous note to the crema, but feel free to omit it or replace it with fresh parsley or chives for a different herbal twist.
Salt and pepper: You can also use other seasonings like cayenne pepper or chili powder for a hint of spice, or even hot sauce for a fiery kick.
Consistency adjustments: If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it out with a bit more lime juice or sour cream. On the other hand, if it’s too thin, you can add more avocado to thicken it.
Vegan version: To make a vegan avocado crema, replace the sour cream with dairy-free alternatives like coconut yogurt or a vegan sour cream substitute.
How to make Avocado Crema: Step by step
Step 1: Prepare Avocados
Start by preparing the avocados. Cut them in half, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh into a food processor or blender.
Step 2: Add All Remaining Ingredients
Add the minced garlic, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), lime juice, kosher salt, and black pepper to the avocados.
If you’re using cilantro for added flavor, rinse it thoroughly, roughly chop it, and add to the blender.
Step 3: Blend Until Smooth
Blend all the ingredients until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency.
If the mixture seems too thick, you can add a little more lime juice or sour cream to reach your desired consistency.
Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Fresh lime juice: Use freshly squeezed lime juice for the brightest and most vibrant flavor, but store-bought is fine too.
Consistency control: Achieve the perfect consistency by adjusting the amount of lime juice or sour cream. If it’s too thick, add more liquid; if it’s too thin, add more sour cream or avocado.
Covering for storage: When storing leftover avocado crema, place plastic wrap directly on the surface to minimize contact with air and prevent browning. This helps maintain its vibrant green color.
Serve chilled: Avocado crema is best served cold, so refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before using it.
Use quickly: Avocado crema is at its freshest and most vibrant right after making it. While it can be stored for a few days, it’s best enjoyed shortly after preparation.
Storage
Once your avocado crema is well blended and seasoned to your liking, transfer it to a bowl.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, ensuring the plastic wrap is in direct contact with the surface of the avocado crema. This helps prevent browning due to exposure to air.
Refrigerate the avocado crema until you’re ready to serve.
When you’re ready to use it, give the crema a good stir to ensure it’s well mixed, and then serve it.
What to serve with Avocado Crema
This avo crema can be used in much the same way you would serve guacamole.
Apart from the usual dishes that pair well with avocado dips, like tacos, burritos, nachos, and quesadillas, here are a few more ideas to try:
Grilled meats: Use avocado crema as a condiment for grilled meats like steak and chicken.
Salads: Use as a creamy dressing for salads, especially those with a Southwest or Mexican-inspired theme.
Vegetable dip: Serve as a dip for fresh vegetables like carrot sticks, cucumber slices, and bell pepper strips.
Burgers: Use avo crema as a unique and flavorful burger topping instead of traditional burger sauces.
Bowl meals: Add a dollop to grain bowls, Buddha bowls, or poke bowls for extra flavor.
Sandwiches: Spread on sandwiches as a creamy and flavorful alternative to mayonnaise.
Potato dishes: Use as a topping for baked potatoes, sweet potato fries, or potato wedges.
Avocado Crema Variations
I love to customize my homemade sauces, and this is no exception because it’s so easy to experiment with.
Here are some variations you can try:
Spicy: Add diced jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or a few dashes of hot sauce to give your crema a spicy kick.
Mango: Puree ripe mango chunks with the avocados for a sweet and tropical twist.
Chipotle: Mix in chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a smoky and spicy flavor.
Lemon herb: Swap lime juice for lemon juice and incorporate herbs like cilantro and mint for a refreshing twist.
Ranch: Combine the crema with ranch dressing mix for a creamy and herby ranch-flavored dip.
Creamy Avocado Lime Dressing: Thin out the crema with additional lime juice or water to create a salad dressing with a pouring consistency.
Tahini: Blend in some tahini (sesame paste) for a nutty and slightly earthy flavor.
Wasabi: Incorporate wasabi paste for a creamy and spicy condiment, perfect for sushi or sushi bowls.
Smoky: Add smoked paprika or liquid smoke for a unique smoky flavor profile.
Pesto: Mix in homemade or store-bought pesto for a fusion of creamy and herby flavors.
Avocado Crema FAQs
Give this avo crema instead of guacamole a try with your next taco meal, and let me know how you like it!
Avocado Crema
Ingredients
- 2 avocados peeled and pitted
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 clove garlic minced
- Juice of 1 to 1 1/2 limes about 3 tbsp
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro optional
Instructions
- Cut, pit, and scoop the avocados into a blender or food processor.
- Add minced garlic, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), lime juice, salt, and black pepper.
- If using cilantro, chop it and add it to the mixture.
- Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust consistency with more lime juice or sour cream if needed.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired.
- Cover with plastic wrap touching the surface to prevent browning. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
