Learn how to make the BEST Avocado Crema! This creamy Avocado Sauce is super quick and easy to make, and the flavor is absolutely mouthwatering ... perfect for tacos, nachos, chips, and so much more!
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I don't know about you, but I am a sauce aficionado! Salsa, pesto, chimichurri ... I love them all. A flavorful sauce makes any dish even more delicious, and if one is available I will definitely be saucing things up.
When it comes to tacos and Mexican food though, homemade Avocado Crema is truly a favorite! This creamy green sauce is simple to prepare, has an amazing taste, and it's the perfect finishing touch for everything from Taquitos to Stuffed Poblanos (and so much more).
You are going to LOVE this scrumptious Avocado Sauce, too! It's rich, tangy, and super tasty. The flavor is similar to a simple guacamole ... you can even use it as a dip, if you want to. Or drizzle it over everything from nachos to burritos, enchiladas, bowls, even breakfast sandwiches.
Best of all though, it's so incredibly easy to make. You need just three ingredients and about five minutes to make this versatile sauce!
Ready to get started? Keep scrolling for the easy recipe!
Ingredients
This delicious crema recipe is made with simple, healthy ingredients! Here's what you'll need:
- Avocado - You'll need an avocado, of course! I recommend using Haas avocados if you can find them, because they have the best flavor. For the creamiest texture, make sure your avocado is perfectly ripe (it should have a little give when you squeeze it gently).
- Sour Cream - Tangy sour cream is another essential ingredient (I like Daisy brand). It makes the sauce extra creamy, adds a little zip, and it helps to stop the avocado from browning. If you want to save a few calories, light sour cream would also work well in this recipe (although I'd avoid fat free).
- Lime Juice - A fresh lime is a must. The tart juice pairs perfectly with the avocado, and it adds an acidic element that brights all the other flavors.
- Salt - You need just a little salt to make the other flavors pop (I recommend using kosher salt).
- Optional - This recipe is delicious, but fairly basic. It's super easy to customize though by adding other ingredients, like cilantro, garlic, spices, and more. You'll find lots of easy ideas in the Variations section below!
This recipe is naturally vegetarian, gluten-free, and nut free. You can easily make it vegan and dairy free too, by using plant based sour cream.
You'll Also Need
This recipe works best with a food processor, however a high powered blender may also be used. You'll also need a sharp knife to cut the avocado and lime.
How to Make Avocado Crema
This Avocado and Sour Cream Sauce couldn't be easier to make! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:
- Combine ingredients in food processor. Start by adding the avocado, sour cream, lime juice, and salt to your food processor. Tip: If you cut the avocado into chunks, it will blend faster.
- Blend until smooth. After you've added everything to your food processor, simply process all the ingredients until the sauce is totally smooth. Once the sauce is done, give it a taste, then season with additional salt and / or lime juice, if needed. Tip: Make sure to stop a couple times to scrape down the bowl's sides. That way, you won't miss any big chunks.
And that's all there is to it ... time to enjoy your homemade Avocado Crema! You are going to love this flavorful sauce's tangy taste and creamy texture.
Variations
This basic Avocado Sauce is fun and easy to customize! Here are some ideas to try:
- Thicker / Thinner - You can easily make this sauce thicker (add more sour cream) or thinner (stir in a little water or milk, one teaspoon at a time), depending on how you'd like to use it.
- Garlic - This sauce tastes even better when you add garlic! To use fresh garlic, mince up a clove in your food processor before adding the avocado. To use garlic powder, add ½ teaspoon (or to taste) along with the other ingredients.
- Cilantro - Blending in a small handful of fresh cilantro will add a wonderful herbaceous flavor that goes great with the other ingredients.
- Spicy - Like your sauces with a little kick? Try adding a jalapeño or other spicy peppers (mince them in your food processor before adding the other ingredients), a few dashes of ground cayenne, hatch chili powder, or a little hot sauce. This Secret Aardvark Habanero Hot Sauce is a favorite of mine!
- Sour Cream Substitute - Out of sour cream? Feel free to substitute Crema Mexicana or greek yogurt.
- Vegan - To make this recipe vegan + dairy free, simply use a plant based sour cream.
- Spices - Add another layer of flavor, by stirring in some cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, or cayenne.
- Salsa - Stir in a little salsa verde or pico de gallo (well drained) for a chunkier sauce.
- Ranch - If you're a ranch lover, try mixing a few teaspoons (to taste) dry ranch powder. Hold off on adding additional salt until after you've added the powder, because many mixes are already pretty salty.
How to Use
There are so many creative ways to use this flavor-packed sauce! Here are a few to try:
- Tacos - Of course, this vibrant Green Crema is absolutely perfect for tacos! Try it on these Crispy Black Bean Tacos, easy Tofu Tacos, Portobello Poblano Tacos, or check out this roundup with 25 Veggie Taco Recipes for even more inspiration.
- Fajitas - It's also delish on fajitas! You'll love it on my Easy Veggie Fajitas, or for something different, drizzle it over these Halloumi Fajitas.
- Tostadas - Top your tostadas with a spoonful. Use it these Bean and Cheese Tostadas or these Mini Tostadas.
- Quesadillas - Make your next quesadilla even better! It would make a super tasty dip for these Veggie Quesadillas or these Mushroom Spinach Quesadillas.
- Burritos - Add it to any burrito, like these yummy Potato and Egg Breakfast Burritos, (which made a great dinner or morning meal)!
- Enchiladas - Drizzle the sauce over your favorite enchiladas, like these hearty Black Bean and Butternut Squash Enchiladas, fresh Harvest Veggie Enchiladas, or these creamy Black Bean and Cream Cheese Enchiladas.
- Nachos - Adding a dollop of this tasty sauce to your fave nachos is sure to make them even better. Try it on my Texas Nachos or these unique Bell Pepper Nachos.
- Topping - This creamy sauce makes an awesome topping for any Mexican-inspired meal! Try it on these Vegetarian Chiles Rellenos, Mexican Stuffed Peppers (Slow Cooker), Tex Mex Sweet Potatoes, Veggie Taco Casserole, or this irresistible Mexican Lasagna.
- Veggies - Use it to make a plate of Roasted Vegetables or Grilled Veggies even tastier!
- Dip - It makes a mouthwatering dip, too! Pair it with these easy Black Bean Taquitos, or serve it alongside some Homemade Pita Chips, Homemade Herb Crackers, or Sweet Potato Fries.
- Bowls - Make any bowl meal more exciting! Add a dollop to your next burrito bowl or try a scoop in this Roasted Vegetable Bowl.
- Chili - Homemade chili is all about the toppings, and this is a great one! Add a spoonful to the BEST Vegetarian Chili, this Easy Black Bean Chili, of this Crock Pot 3 Bean Chili. Got leftover chili? Make this Frito Pie, then top it off with this creamy sauce!
- Salads - You can drizzle the sauce over any salad (like this Mexican Kale Salad), or you can thin it with a little water (or milk) to turn it onto a salad dressing!
- Sandwiches + Wraps - Add a schmear to your next sandwich or wrap. Try it on these Mushroom Tortas, Black Bean Avocado Wrap, Green Burgers, Black Bean Edamame Burgers, or these Southwest Black Bean Burgers.
- Breakfast - Don't forget about breakfast! Serve it over eggs (or a tofu scramble) or use it in other breakfast dishes, like these Egg and Black Bean Tacos, Mexican Baked Eggs, Breakfast Enchiladas, Breakfast Tostadas, or even these Egg and Cheese Sandwiches.
Tip: To get neat lines when drizzling the sauce over tacos and other dishes, transfer the sauce to a squeeze bottle before using.
Storage
Store any leftover Avocado Lime Crema in an airtight container in your refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for about three to four days. After a day or two, you might notice some minimal browning. If you stir the sauce well before serving though, you probably won't notice a big change in color. You can also prevent browning by pressing a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the sauce before storing.
Related Recipes
If you enjoyed this delicious Avocado Sauce, you'll love these recipes featuring fresh avocados, too:
- Homemade Guacamole
- Avocado and Tomato Sandwich
- Kale Superfood Salad
- Tropical Rice Salad
- Baked Black Bean Dip
- Creamy Kale Salad
- Black Bean Avocado Wraps
Looking for more dip recipes? Don't miss this Black Bean Hummus, Watermelon Salsa, Corn and Black Bean Salsa, of this Chipotle Hummus!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Avocado Crema is a creamy sauce made with avocado, sour cream, and lime juice, along with optional ingredients, like garlic, cilantro, spices, and jalapeños.
You can keep Avocado Crema from turning brown by pressing a piece of plastic wrap directly on its surface before store. To serve, remove the plastic wrap, then stir. The sour cream is the sauce also helps to stop it from browning.
You can tell if an avocado is ripe by gently squeezing it. Ripe avocados should have a little give when squeezed (similar to a peach), while unripe avocados will be quite firm. You can also check the stem, if it's still intact. Pull off the stem ... if the area underneath is light green, that's another good sign that your avocado is ripe.
Mexican crema (or crema Mexicana) and sour cream are both cultured dairy products, but Mexican crema is typically thinner (which makes it perfect for drizzling). Crema also has a higher fat content than sour cream, and its flavor is milder than sour cream, which is usually quite tangy.
Avocado Crema
Ingredients
- 1 large avocado
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Equipment
Instructions
- Cut avocado into chunks, then add to food processor, along with sour cream, lime, juice, and salt.
- Puree ingredients until sauce is totally smooth.
- Taste, then season with additional salt and / or lime juice, if desired.
- Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container in your refrigerator. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
