Cilantro Lime Crema

Cilantro lime crema is one of those sauces that instantly takes your favorite meals to the next level. It’s creamy, slightly tangy, packed with bright flavor, and made with a handful of simple ingredients you can grab at most grocery stores.

Whether you’re spooning it over fish tacos, drizzling it on burrito bowls, or dunking tortilla chips straight into the bowl, you'll want to keep a jar of this in your fridge at all times.

My inspiration for this creamy crema came from chasing that real thing flavor you get from great Mexican cuisine. I’ve tried everything from store-bought options like Don Pancho cilantro lime crema to traditional crema mexicana at taco shops, and while they’re good, nothing beats a homemade version made with fresh ingredients. This version has that smooth texture, slightly tangy flavor, and fresh cilantro punch that works on everything from chicken street tacos to taco salad and even french fries.

Ingredients

All these ingredients are easy to find at any grocery store. Read below to see what substitutions you can make.

• Sour cream – the base of the sauce for that classic creamy texture; can be swapped with plain Greek yogurt or vegan sour cream
• Mayonnaise – adds richness and helps create a smooth, emulsified sauce
• Fresh cilantro – the star of the show; use enough cilantro for bold flavor
• Fresh garlic – adds depth and savory balance
• Onion powder – subtle onion flavor without harshness
• Cumin – brings warmth and complements Mexican cuisine
• Chili oil – adds gentle heat and a tangy twist; substitute fresh jalapeño if preferred
• Fresh lime juice – essential for that bright, zesty flavor
• Salt & pepper – balances the rest of the ingredients

What makes this crema SO GOOD

The base of this crema starts with sour cream and mayonnaise. American sour cream is easy to find and gives that classic creamy texture, while mayo adds richness and helps emulsify everything in the food processor. You can absolutely swap in plain Greek yogurt or even vegan sour cream if that’s what you have on hand. Traditional Mexican crema, french crème fraîche, or even a splash of heavy cream or a little milk can be used next time if you want to experiment with the texture of the crema.

Fresh cilantro is the star here, and you want enough cilantro to really bring that fresh flavor forward. I always look for bright green bunches with no wilting. Fresh garlic adds depth, while onion powder and cumin give subtle warmth without overpowering the sauce.

Chili oil brings a gentle heat, but you can swap in fresh jalapeño if you like a bit more bite. Fresh lime juice is essential—use real fresh limes, not bottled juice—and a little lime zest will boost that bright flavor even more. Salt and pepper pull the rest of the ingredients together, and a drizzle of olive oil helps everything blend into a smooth, creamy sauce.

How to make the crema

This cilantro lime sauce comes together in the best way possible: toss everything into a food processor and blend until smooth. That’s it. You’re looking for a creamy texture that’s pourable but still thick enough to sit beautifully on top of tacos. If it feels too thick, add a splash of milk or cream at room temperature until it reaches your desired consistency.

Once blended, this zesty cilantro lime crema works with so many Mexican dishes and beyond. It’s perfect on salmon tacos, shrimp tacos, and fish tacos, but it also shines as a salad dressing for taco salad with black beans, drizzled over burrito bowls, or served alongside taco kits on busy weeknights. I’ve even used it as a creamy condiment for dipping french fries or spooning over roasted vegetables. It’s one of those mexican recipes that becomes part of your regular rotation because it goes with everything.

Store your creamy crema in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Because it’s made with dairy and fresh herbs, always check the expiration date of your sour cream and mayo and use the earliest date as your guide. Thanks to lactic acid bacteria in sour cream, it usually keeps well for several days when properly stored, but always trust your senses.

If you’re into avocado crema, this recipe is also a great base—just add ripe avocado and a little red wine vinegar or extra lime juice for balance. It’s one of my favorite ways to remix this sauce, depending on what mexican dishes I’m serving that week.

This cilantro crema has quickly become one of my favorite meal add-ons, and once you try it, you’ll see why it’s such a perfect sauce. Fresh, creamy, tangy, and endlessly versatile, it’s the kind of recipe you’ll come back to again and again.

This creamy cilantro lime crema is proof that a few common ingredients can create something truly next-level. Save it, pin it, and make it once—then make it again next time you need a perfect sauce for your favorite Mexican recipes.

Recipe