This Avocado Cilantro Crema Recipe is the smooth, tangy, and utterly irresistible sauce you’ll want to drizzle, dip, and dollop on just about everything. In minutes, you’ll have a vibrant green crema bursting with flavor—perfect for tacos, salads, grain bowls, or even as an addictive chip dip.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Instant Upgrade: This crema transforms simple meals into restaurant-worthy creations with just a swirl.
- Effortlessly Quick: Blend everything in one go—seriously, it takes less than 10 minutes start to finish.
- Customizable Flavor: It’s easy to tweak—make it zippier, creamier, or spicier depending on your cravings or what’s in your fridge.
- Naturally Gorgeous: That vivid green color turns every dish into a feast for the eyes (and the tastebuds).
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Avocado Cilantro Crema Recipe is all about simple, fresh ingredients working overtime. Each component brings flavor, texture, and gorgeous color, so don’t skip—or skimp—on quality!
- Garlic: Fresh cloves add a bold pop that cuts through the richness; you can adjust for more or less bite.
- Kosher salt: Essential for balancing flavors and bringing out the vibrant freshness in every ingredient.
- Sour cream: The lush and tangy backbone, creating that dreamy, creamy consistency you’ll crave.
- Ripe avocado: The star—choose one that yields a little to gentle pressure for the smoothest, silkiest crema.
- Fresh cilantro leaves: They infuse the sauce with that signature herbal zest and glorious green hue.
- Lime juice: Adds brightness and a touch of acidity; it also helps keep the color vibrant.
- Freshly ground black pepper: The finishing touch—just a few grinds round out the flavor.
Variations
This Avocado Cilantro Crema Recipe is endlessly flexible and absolutely welcomes your own twist. Whether you’re working with what you have or catering to a special diet, here are fun ways to customize it.
- Dairy-Free: Swap the sour cream for plant-based yogurt or vegan sour cream for a luscious non-dairy option.
- Spicy Kick: Add a little chopped jalapeño or a dash of hot sauce to amp up the heat for spice lovers.
- Citrus Swap: Try fresh lemon juice in place of lime for a slightly different zing.
- Extra-Garlicky: Love garlic? Toss in another clove for even more punchy flavor.
How to Make Avocado Cilantro Crema Recipe
Step 1: Chop the Garlic with Salt
Start by adding the peeled garlic cloves and kosher salt to your food processor. Give them a quick blitz—this not only chops the garlic finely but also mellows its sharpness so it won’t overpower the finished crema. You’ll want the garlic nice and minced before moving on.
Step 2: Add Remaining Ingredients
Scoop in the sour cream, add the avocado (be sure it’s fully ripe and creamy), toss in the fresh cilantro leaves, and squeeze in your lime juice. Finish with a few generous grinds of black pepper. Let all these brilliant flavors cozy up together in the food processor.
Step 3: Blend Until Velvety Smooth
Blitz everything until you’re left with a silky, vibrant green sauce. Scrape down the sides as needed—there’s nothing worse than a stray chunk hiding at the bottom—and give it one last taste. Now’s the time to adjust the salt or pepper if you feel like it needs a little something more!
Step 4: Serve or Store
Pour your Avocado Cilantro Crema Recipe into a serving dish, or spoon it straight over what you’re eating. If you’re prepping ahead, it keeps beautifully in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days—just give it a stir before you use again.
Pro Tips for Making Avocado Cilantro Crema Recipe
- Choose a Ripe Avocado: For ultra-smooth crema, your avocado should be perfectly ripe—slightly soft to the touch and free of brown spots.
- Use Cilantro Stems: Don’t be afraid to add the tender cilantro stems—they’re packed with flavor and blend right in.
- Customize the Creaminess: If your crema feels too thick, add a splash of water or more lime juice until it’s perfect for drizzling.
- Make It Ahead: To keep your Avocado Cilantro Crema Recipe vibrant, press plastic wrap directly on the surface before sealing to minimize browning.
How to Serve Avocado Cilantro Crema Recipe
Garnishes
For that finishing touch, sprinkle extra chopped cilantro, sliced scallions, or a pinch of fresh cracked pepper right on top. A zest of lime or a swirl of crema right before serving adds extra freshness and makes your Avocado Cilantro Crema Recipe look beyond gorgeous.
Side Dishes
This crema absolutely shines drizzled over tacos, burritos, or grilled veggies. It’s also fantastic with grilled chicken, black bean bowls, crispy fish, or even nestled next to a big pile of homemade tortilla chips.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the Avocado Cilantro Crema Recipe in a small pitcher for easy pouring, or pipe it into pretty swoops on individual plates for a restaurant-style effect. Dollop it into tiny jars for picnic spreads, or offer it as a colorful dip in veggie appetizer trays—the possibilities are endless!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your leftover Avocado Cilantro Crema Recipe at its freshest, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Press a layer of plastic wrap directly against the surface to help lock in that beautiful green color and prevent browning. It will stay delicious for up to three days.
Freezing
This crema is best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze it if you must! Pour it into a freezer-safe container, press wrap to the surface, and freeze for up to one month. Thaw in the fridge before stirring to re-combine—just know the texture may change and become a bit less silky.
Reheating
No reheating is needed for this crema—simply give it a good stir straight from the fridge, and it’s ready to dollop or drizzle. If it thickens after chilling, loosen with a teaspoon of lime juice or water until it’s back to your desired consistency.
FAQs
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Can I make Avocado Cilantro Crema Recipe without a food processor?
Absolutely! A blender works beautifully, and even a mini-chopper or immersion blender will do the job. For a chunkier, rustic texture, you can mash everything by hand, just be sure to mince the garlic and cilantro as finely as possible.
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How do I prevent the crema from turning brown?
Lime juice helps, but pressing plastic wrap directly on the surface before sealing the container is the best trick for keeping your Avocado Cilantro Crema Recipe bright and beautiful for several days.
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Is this recipe spicy?
Nope, the basic recipe is mild and creamy. If you want heat, simply add jalapeño, serrano, or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce for a spicy variation!
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Can I double this Avocado Cilantro Crema Recipe for a party?
Definitely! Just scale up the ingredients and blend in batches if your food processor is on the small side. Homemade crema is always a party hit, and your friends will love it as much as you do!
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried making Avocado Cilantro Crema Recipe at home, trust me—this is the super-simple sauce that will make any meal feel a bit more special. Give it a try and see just how many ways you can use it. I can’t wait for you to fall in love with its bright flavor and creamy charm!
Print
Avocado Cilantro Crema Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Blend
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Creamy and flavorful, this Avocado Cilantro Crema is a versatile topping that adds a fresh twist to your favorite dishes. Made with ripe avocado, cilantro, and a hint of lime, this crema is perfect for tacos, salads, or as a dip for chips.
Ingredients
Crema:
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup (115g) sour cream
- 1 ripe avocado, pitted and peeled (153g)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Crema: In a small food processor, combine garlic and salt, and process until finely chopped. Add sour cream, avocado, cilantro, lime juice, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the crema and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed.
- Storage: Store the crema in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
