Cilantro Lime Crema
Cilantro Lime Crema is a refreshing and vibrant sauce that combines Greek yogurt, extra-virgin olive oil, plenty of cilantro, lime juice, a pinch of sugar, and seasonings. You’ll want to add this zesty crema to salads, tacos, bowls, and grilled dishes!
Cilantro Lime Crema
It’s always a plus when a dressing doubles as a sauce, right? So while this zesty dressing can be drizzled on taco salads and burrito bowls, it also makes a great dipping sauce for chips, chicken strips, and tacos (or really anything).
Why This Recipe Works:
- SIMPLE – This easy cilantro lime dressing incorporates basic ingredients and is the real thing.
- ZESTY FLAVOR – The lime creates a refreshing and tangy flavor to any dish.
- CUSTOMIZABLE – Cilantro dressing is a great base for customization. You can try various substitution options to suit your taste preferences. For example, if you prefer a creamier texture, you can add some extra yogurt or avocado. If you like it spicier, you can incorporate jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
What you’ll need to make Cilantro Lime Crema:
You’ll need just a handful of ingredients to make this homemade crema.
- Plain Greek Yogurt – This creamy dressing uses either 2% or 5% plain Greek yogurt.
- Olive Oil – Extra-Virgin Olive Oil is used to enhance the creamy base.
- Cilantro – This is the key ingredient so be sure to use plenty of fresh cilantro.
- Garlic – You’ll need one clove of garlic.
- Seasonings – kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Lime – Freshly squeezed lime juice adds tartness and helps to thin the dressing simultaneously.
- Sugar – A pinch of sugar is needed to balance the flavors.
How to make the best Cilantro Lime Dressing:
Step 1
Combine ingredients. Combine all ingredients in a small food processor – Greek yogurt, olive oil, cilantro, garlic, seasonings, sugar, and fresh lime juice.
Step 2
Blend ingredients. Start the food processor and pulse until creamy, about 30 seconds or until everything is very well combined.
You can also place ingredients in a large jar and use an immersion blender instead.
Step 3
Store crema. Pour cilantro lime crema into a small bowl or mason jar and chill until ready to serve. It will stay fresh for about 3–4 days when stored in an airtight container.
NOTE: Add more lime juice or cold water for a thinner sauce.
Other Tex-Mex Dressings:
In addition to this one, we love a variety of other homemade dressings for our taco obsession. Making your own dressings instead of using store-bought dressing will change your life.
Or try our Creamy Grinder Salad Dressing over the best Grinder Salad!
How to use Cilantro Lime Dressing:
This creamy cilantro lime dressing recipe is good for Mexican food of all kinds.
Recipe FAQs:
Cilantro, also known as coriander or Chinese parsley, is a popular herb used in various cuisines around the world. It is known for its distinct flavor and aroma. Cilantro leaves are delicate, bright green, and have a pungent, citrusy, and slightly floral taste.
Cilantro can be a polarizing herb, as some people have a genetic predisposition that makes it taste soapy or unpleasant to them. This preference or aversion to cilantro is believed to be linked to specific genes, and it varies among individuals.
There are many pros to using Greek yogurt in creamy dressings. It’s 1) lower in fat, 2) rich in protein, 3) smooth and creamy, 4) tangy in flavor, 5) contributes to gut health, and 5) a good source of calcium.
Yes, sour cream is more traditional and richer, while Greek yogurt is a lighter, higher-protein option with a slight tang.
Start with the juice of one lime, then adjust to taste depending on how tangy you like it.
Add water, lime juice, or olive oil to thin it out, or use less liquid to keep it thick and scoopable.
Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)
xoxo ~Sue
Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup cilantro – loosely packed
- 1 clove garlic
- a pinch of sugar
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste
- 1 large lime – freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Combine ingredients. Combine all ingredients in a small food processor – Greek yogurt, olive oil, cilantro, garlic, seasonings, sugar, and fresh lime juice.3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 1 cup cilantro, 1 clove garlic, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, a pinch of sugar, 1 large lime
- Blend ingredients. Start the food processor and pulse until creamy, about 30 seconds or until everything is very well combined.You can also place ingredients in a large jar and use an immersion blender instead.
- Store crema. Pour cilantro lime crema into a small bowl or mason jar and chill until ready to serve.
Notes
- This crema will stay fresh for about 3–4 days (or maybe more) when stored in an airtight container.
- Add water, lime juice, or olive oil to thin it out, or use less liquid to keep it thick and scoopable.
Tasty on Tex-Mex bowls!
Yes sir!