This Avocado Lime Crema is perfect if you're looking for something other than guacamole to serve with Mexican food or even Asian-inspired dishes. It has a fresh, slighty tangy, zesty flavor and it's so creamy. All you need is a handful of ingredients, a blender or food processor, and about 5 minutes!
As a dietitian, I'm a big fan of homemade sauces! And the best part about this homemade avocado crema is that it's made with fresh 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 provide antioxidants important for overall health. It's a great option for people who aren't a fan of guacamole.
This creamy Avocado Sauce is the perfect topping to take your taco night to next level! Serve it in the summertime with things like Shrimp Tacos, Fish Tacos, Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos or a Southwest Chicken Bowl. In the colder months, it works great added to soups, a Turkey Taco Stuffed Sweet Potato or Healthy Turkey Chili.
Jump to:
Video of How to Make Avocado Lime Crema
Here's a video of how to make Avocado Lime Crema that I hope is helpful! Don't forget to check out the recipe card below for the full recipe.
Key Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
This Avocado Lime Crema Recipe is made with simple ingredients. Be sure to check the printable recipe card at the bottom for ingredient measurements.
- Avocado - this is one of the main ingredients so be sure to use a perfectly ripe avocado for best results.
- Greek Yogurt - traditional crema uses heavy cream. To reduce the amount of saturated fats, 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.
- Limes - fresh lime juice adds brightness and a tangy flavor. You can substitute with lemon juice if you prefer.
- Fresh Cilantro - cilantro (also known as Chinese parsley) adds zest and amps up the citrusy vibes. If you're one of those people for whom cilantro tastes like soap, just take it out or replace it with fresh parsley.
- Garlic Cloves - you’ll be using raw fresh garlic so a little bit adds lots of flavor. Garlic is an antimicrobial and it also contains antioxidants. If you don't have fresh garlic, you can substitute with garlic powder.
- Kosher Salt - a pinch of salt to tie everything together.
- Optional: Water or Avocado Oil - to thin it out if desired.
How to Make Avocado Lime Crema
Below are the instructions for how to make Creamy Avocado Crema with some process shots that I hope are helpful visuals!
Step 1 - Cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. Remove the avocado flesh from the skin and give it a rough chop. Add all the ingredients (except the water) including lime juice, avocado, Greek yogurt, cilantro, garlic, and salt to a high-speed blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and add more salt to taste.
Step 2 - if you want a thinner consistency, 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 1-2 tablespoon of avocado oil.
Hint: I like a thinner crema so I add about ¼ c of water.
Dietitian Tip
While traditional crema is made with heavy cream, this recipe uses a combination of avocado & Greek yogurt to mimic the flavor while adding nutrients including dietary fiber for a healthy gut, Omega-3 fatty acids for brain health and hormone health, and protein to keep you full for longer. Not only that, but by replacing the heavy cream, you also cut down on the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol.
Variations
One of the best parts about 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 bit of smokiness by tossing in smoked paprika or chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
- Tangy - use a combo of lime juice and lemon juice for more citrus if you like a zesty sauce.
Ideas for Serving
Once you have a batch of this creamy avocado lime crema, you can serve the creamy condiment in so many ways! Below are some ideas, but feel free to get creative with this versatile condiment.
- Add it to Tacos - add a drizzle to your favorite Mexican dishes. It goes great with chicken, shrimp, or fish tacos. It also pairs well with shredded tofu tacos for a plant-based option on your next Taco Tuesday.
- As a Topper - add this avocado crema on top of a Sweet Potato Turkey Skillet, Turkey Taco Skillet, or Turkey Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes. It 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 avocado shine!
- In Burrito Bowls - amp up the flavor on a burrito bowl like a Southwest Chicken & Rice Bowl with a spoonful of this perfect dip!
- As a Salad Dressing - top your favorite Mexican-style salad with this tangy condiment.
- Make it a Slaw - add fresh flavors to a creamy coleslaw and 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.
Equipment
You need a blender or food processor for this recipe. I use either my Ninja Blender or KitchenAid food processor.
If you don't have a blender or food processor, try mashing the avocado with a potato masher, finely chopping the cilantro and garlic, and mixing it all! It won't be as creamy, but the flavor will still be there.
Storage
- Refrigerator - store leftover avocado lime crema in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- A great way to avoid the oxidation process and prevent the avocado from browning is to add a small amount of water, tangy lime juice, or avocado oil to the top before storing it. Drain the liquid off before serving.
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.
- Once it's made, put the avocado crema in a squeeze bottle for easy serving.
FAQ
While healthy means something different to everyone, this is a nutrient-rich option. While traditional crema is made with heavy cream, this recipe uses avocado and Greek yogurt to mimic the flavor and creamy consistency while adding nutrients. Avocados contain dietary fiber for a healthy gut, Omega-3 fatty acids for brain health and hormone health, and vitamins E and B6. Greek yogurt contains protein, vitamin B12, and calcium. Fresh lime provides vitamin C and cilantro adds antioxidants. By replacing the heavy cream, you also cut down on the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol.
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.
The short answer is that it depends on the type of avocado and where it comes from, but you can always find avocados that are in season!
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.
Some people are genetically sensitive to the soapy-flavored aldehydes in cilantro. If that's you or someone you're serving this recipe to, replace cilantro with parsley or skip it and add an extra dash of lime juice!
Related
Here are some similar dietitian recipes you may enjoy:
Perfect for Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Avocado Lime Crema:
Want to Learn About Nutrition?
Here are some of my educational posts you may enjoy:
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. I would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please leave me a review below or tag me in a photo or story on Instagram….I LOVE knowing there’s people out there trying out my recipes! 🙂 IG: @mallorythedietitian.
📖 Recipe
5 Minute Avocado Lime Crema Sauce Recipe with Yogurt
Equipment
- 1 blender or food processor
Ingredients
- 1 avocado
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (or yogurt of choice)
- ½ cup fresh cilantro (or parsley)
- 3 tablespoon fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 1 clove fresh garlic (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (more to taste)
- up to ¼ cup water (add 1 tablespoon at a time) to thin it out
Instructions
- Cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. Remove the avocado flesh from the skin and give it a rough chop.
- Add all the ingredients except the water including lime juice, avocado, Greek yogurt, cilantro, garlic, and salt to a high-speed blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and add more salt to taste.
- if you want a thinner consistency, 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 1-2 tablespoon of avocado oil. I like a thinner crema so I add about ¼ c of water.
Video
Notes
- Use a ripe avocado for maximum creaminess. According to the Hass Avocado Board (HAB), choose an avocado by giving it a gentle squeeze. If it is slightly soft, it is ready to use! Ripe avocados will have a darker color but HAB recommends to go more by the feel AND color than the color alone.
- Some people are genetically sensitive to the soapy-flavored aldehydes in cilantro. If that's you or someone you're serving this recipe to, replace cilantro with parsley or skip it.
- 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.
- Refrigerator - store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- An easy way to avoid the oxidation process and prevent the avocado from browning is to add a small amount of water, tangy lime juice, or avocado oil to the top before storing it. Drain the liquid off before serving.
Comments
No Comments