This Avocado Crema with Greek Yogurt and lime is a simple way to elevate things like tacos or burrito bowls with a little something special! It's one of my go-tos when I have a ripe avocado and want something easier than guacamole. What I love is that it only takes me around 5 minutes to make and it has a creamy (almost silky) consistency because of the healthy fats from the avocado. Using a Greek yogurt based dressing instead of the typical sour cream is an easy way to lighten it up and add some protein.
As a dietitian, I'm a big fan of homemade sauces and dips because it's one of the best ways to turn a basic meal into something you'll look forward to making and eating with minimal effort. And the best part about this homemade avocado crema is that it's made with fresh simple ingredients so it adds nutrition while adding a ton of flavor.
Avocado provides heart-healthy fatty acids, dietary fiber for gut health, and vitamin C. Greek yogurt provides protein and calcium, and fresh lime and cilantro contain antioxidants important for overall health.
This creamy avocado sauce is so versatile which is why it's become a staple in my kitchen! My personal favorite way to serve it is on taco night when I make fish or shrimp tacos with chili lime shrimp or shrimp tacos with mango salsa. I make an avocado coleslaw with half of it and serve the rest on the side. It makes the perfect topping and takes them to the next level every time! Some other things I've served it with are my Chicken Taco Skillet, Sheet Pan Fajitas with Chicken, Street Corn Sweet Potato Ground Beef Bowls or Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos. In the colder months, it works great added to soups or chilis (especially a turkey sweet potato chili or 3 bean pumpkin chili) or a Turkey Taco Stuffed Sweet Potato.
If you like this recipe, you may also enjoy my Lime Cilantro Yogurt Sauce, Avocado Mash with Lemon.
Jump to:
- Key Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- How to Make Avocado Crema with Greek Yogurt
- Dietitian Tip
- Video of How to Make Avocado Crema with Greek Yogurt
- Variations for Greek Yogurt Avocado Crema
- Ideas for Serving Avocado Lime Crema
- Equipment
- Storage for Avocado Lime Crema
- Expert Tips
- FAQ
- Related
- Perfect for Pairing
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Key Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
This avocado lime crema recipe is made with a handful of ingredients. Check the recipe card at the bottom of this post for measurements.
- Avocado - this is one of the main ingredients so be sure to use a perfectly ripe avocado for best results. I use a jumbo avocado which is the same in weight as 2 medium avocados so either works. Even though you'll be blending the avocado. I do suggest giving it a rough chop to make the blending process go faster.
- Greek Yogurt - traditional crema uses sour cream. To lighten it up and add extra protein, I use plain Greek yogurt which gives this avocado crema such a creamy texture. If you don't like the flavor of plain Greek yogurt, feel free to substitute it with sour cream or cottage cheese, not regular yogurt that won't be as thick. I use non-fat yogurt because it's what I normally have in my kitchen and the avocado will provide healthy fats and creaminess but a full fat Greek yogurt works too.
- Mayonnaise - a small amount of mayonnaise goes a long way so you don't need much! I like to use a mayo made with avocado oil or extra-virgin olive oil for a lighter option with better quality fats but you can use regular mayo.
- Limes - fresh lime juice adds brightness and a tangy flavor. You can substitute with lemon juice if you prefer. Lime juice also acts as a natural preservative which slows the oxidation process that makes avocados brown.
- Fresh Cilantro - cilantro adds tons of flavor and antioxidants. It also contributes to the gorgeous bright green color. If you hate cilantro, you can leave it out.
- Garlic Powder - since garlic cloves can vary so much in size, I suggest using garlic powder for this recipe. That said, you can totally use fresh garlic if you want. I would start with one small clove and add more to taste.
- Kosher Salt - a pinch of salt is necessary to liven up the flavors and balance out the tang from the lime and yogurt.
- Ground Cumin - I've made this avocado crema both with and without cumin, and I think the cumin adds so much flavor it's totally worth one more ingredient!
- Water - you'll need a little water to thin it out, especially if you want it to be pourable.
How to Make Avocado Crema with Greek Yogurt
Below are the instructions for how to make this easy avocado crema recipe with some photos that I hope are helpful visuals!
Step 1: Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and peel it. To make the blending process easier, give the avocado a rough chop. Add all the ingredients except the water to a high-speed blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
Step 2: Add a tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches the consistency you desire. If you go beyond 4 tablespoon (¼ c) of water and still want it to be thinner, I suggest adding extra lime juice so it doesn't become watered down or diluted. Once it's the consistency you want, give it a taste and add more salt or lime juice as needed. Give it another quick stir before you serve it.
Hint: I like a thinner consistency when I serve it with tacos so I add about ¼ cup of water. If I'm serving it as a dip with chips or crudite.
Dietitian Tip
While traditional Mexican crema is made with sour cream, this recipe uses a combination of avocado, Greek yogurt, and a small bit of mayonnaise to mimic the flavor and texture while adding nutrition! The avocado adds dietary fiber for a healthy gut, and healthy fats that support brain health and hormone health. Greek yogurt adds protein and using a mayonnaise made with extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil is an easy way to get in higher quality fats than regular mayonnaise.
Video of How to Make Avocado Crema with Greek Yogurt
Here's a video of how to make this recipe that I hope is helpful!
Variations for Greek Yogurt Avocado Crema
One of the best parts about this avocado cream sauce is that you can easily customize it with different flavors to your taste! Below are a few ideas.
- Spicy - add half a jalapeno or a teaspoon of chili pepper flakes to give it a kick.
- Sweet - add a bit of honey or fresh orange juice to sweeten it up a bit.
- Smoky - add a smoky flavor by tossing in smoked paprika or chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
Ideas for Serving Avocado Lime Crema
This is such a versatile condiment and you can serve it in so many ways! Below are some ideas and some of my favorite ways!
- Serve with Tacos - add a drizzle or dollop on top of tacos! It goes best with shrimp tacos or fish tacos. I love to use half of it to make an avocado coleslaw and serve the rest on the side. It also goes great with chicken tacos, steak tacos or plant-based black bean, tofu, or chickpea tacos.
- In a Salmon Bowl - serve it with smoked paprika salmon, diced sweet potatoes or cilantro lime rice, and romaine lettuce or shredded cabbage in a salmon bowl. If you want a sweeter option, do a salmon bowl with smoked paprika salmon, romaine, cilantro lime rice, and mango pico de gallo.
- A Shrimp Taco Bowl - make a shrimp taco bowl with cilantro lime rice, honey chili lime shrimp, and avocado coleslaw topped with this avocado crema.
- As a Topper for One-Pan Skillet Dinners - I'm a sucker for a good one-pan dinner and often while it simmers, I'll make a sauce to pair with it. This avocado crema goes great with a Sweet Potato Turkey Skillet, Turkey Taco Skillet, Chicken Taco Skillet, or Unstuffed Peppers.
- In Burrito Bowls - it's the perfect complement for a burrito bowl like a Southwest Chicken & Rice Bowl or Street Corn Ground Beef Bowl.
- As a Salad Dressing - top your favorite Mexican-style salad with this tangy condiment. I suggest using chopped romaine, ground taco beef or shredded crockpot chicken, salsa, and a black bean corn mixture.
- Make it a Slaw - use it as a dressing for coleslaw by shredding a combo of purple and green cabbage and mixing it with this avocado yogurt crema. Serve it with fish tacos or Honey Lime Shrimp Tacos.
- On Soups or Chilis - swirl a dollop of it into Mexican-inspired soups and chilis in the fall and winter. It pairs great with a Turkey Veggie Chili or Pumpkin Chili with Beans.
- Dipping Sauce - this cilantro lime crema makes a great dip so get creative and dip tortilla chips, crispy raw veggies, or jicama into it.
- On Nachos - this works great on tostadas or a plate of nachos, too. This tasty sauce is the best way to add tons of flavor and let the fresh ingredients shine!
Equipment
To make this recipe you'll need either a food processor or a high-speed blender. I use either my Beast Blender, Ninja Blender, or KitchenAid Food Processor.
Storage for Avocado Lime Crema
- Refrigerator - store leftover avocado lime crema in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Add an extra squeeze of lime and a layer of plastic wrap on top before storing to make it last longer.
Expert Tips
- Use a ripe avocado for maximum creaminess. Check out the FAQs below for how to choose the right avocado.
- I suggest using fresh limes for this recipe instead of lime juice from a bottle. The freshness goes a long way in terms of flavor.
- If you're using it as a dressing, you can put the avocado crema in a squeeze bottle for easy serving.
- Add 1 tablespoon of water at a time to thin it out to your desired consistency. It should be thick but pourable.
- Give it a taste and add more salt as needed. This will help balance out the acidity of the lime and tang of the Greek yogurt.
FAQ
While healthy means something different to everyone, this is a nutrient-rich option. While traditional crema is made with sour cream, this recipe uses avocado and Greek yogurt to mimic the flavor and creamy consistency while adding nutrients. Avocados contain dietary fiber, potassium, and healthy fats. Greek yogurt provides protein and calcium. Fresh lime provides vitamin C and cilantro adds antioxidants.
Choose a great avocado using these simple tips from Hass Avocado Board (HAB). Give it a gentle squeeze and if it is slightly soft, it is ready to use! You don't want it to be mushy and not hard, either. Ripe avocados will have a darker color but HAB recommends to go more by the feel AND color than the color alone.
Absolutely! If you like cilantro, I highly recommend adding it but for some people, cilantro tastes like soap. If that's you or someone you're serving this to, just skip the cilantro. You can even try using different fresh herbs. My suggestion would be parsley.
Absolutely! You can use Skyr (Icelandic yogurt) or sour cream instead. I like Siggi's or Icelandic Provisions brand. If you are vegan, use your favorite vegan yogurt. Plain coconut yogurt, cashew yogurt, or almond milk yogurt are all options.
Avocados tend to brown quickly once exposed to air. This is because of a process called oxidation. A great way to prolong the oxidation process and prevent the avocado from browning as quickly is to add a small amount of water, lime juice, or avocado oil to the top of the crema before storing it. Then, cover it with a piece of plastic wrap and be sure to use an airtight container with a lid for storing.
To thin it out, add water up to 4 Tbsp. If you still want it thinner, add more lime juice. If you want it thicker, add more avocado or Greek yogurt.
Related
Here are some similar dietitian recipes you may enjoy:
Perfect for Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Avocado Crema with Greek Yogurt:
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📖 Recipe
Avocado Crema with Greek Yogurt
Equipment
- 1 blender (or food processor)
Ingredients
- 1 jumbo avocado (or 2 medium avocados)
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (I use mayo made with extra-virgin olive oil)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
- 1 lime, juiced (about 2 tablespoon lime juice)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (more to taste)
- 1-4 tablespoon water (add 1 tablespoon at a time to thin it out, I usually add 2 Tbsp)
Instructions
- Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and peel it. To make the blending process easier, give the avocado a rough chop. Add all the ingredients except the water to a high-speed blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
- Add a tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches the consistency you desire. If you go beyond 4 tablespoon (¼ c) of water and still want it to be thinner, I suggest adding extra lime juice so it doesn't become watered down or diluted. Once it's the consistency you want, give it a taste and add more salt or lime juice as needed. Give it another quick stir before you serve it.
- Hint: I like a thinner consistency when I serve it with tacos so I add about ¼ cup of water. If I'm serving it as a dip with chips or crudite.
Video
Notes
- Use a ripe avocado for maximum creaminess. Check out the FAQs below for how to choose the right avocado.
- I suggest using fresh limes for this recipe instead of lime juice from a bottle. The freshness goes a long way in terms of flavor.
- If you're using it as a dressing, you can put the avocado crema in a squeeze bottle for easy serving.
- Add 1 tablespoon of water at a time to thin it out to your desired consistency. It should be thick but pourable.
- Give it a taste and add more salt as needed. This will help balance out the acidity of the lime and tang of the Greek yogurt.
- Refrigerator - store leftover avocado lime crema in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Add an extra squeeze of lime and a layer of plastic wrap on top before storing to make it last longer.
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