Quick Garlic Lime Crema

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This easy garlic lime crema is creamy, tangy, and full of garlic and lime flavor. It takes just minutes to make and is perfect for drizzling over tacos, grilled corn, shrimp, chicken, roasted vegetables, and grain bowls.

What is garlic lime crema?

Garlic lime crema is a cool, creamy sauce with fresh lime and garlic. Traditional Mexican crema is a cultured cream, but this quick homemade version uses plain Greek yogurt for a similar creamy texture with a little more tang.

I like using Greek yogurt because it’s easy for me to find in my local grocery stores, I always have it on hand, and it makes a thick sauce that holds up well on tacos. A little fresh lime juice loosens it enough to drizzle, and fresh grated garlic gives it a kick.

This is one of those sauces that’s easy to remember and easy to make. You can make it while dinner is cooking, and it works with much more than tacos.

Ingredients

See the recipe card for exact amounts.

• Plain Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt makes up the creamy base. I use plain Greek yogurt because I like its thick texture and slightly tangy flavor.
• Lime juice: Fresh lime juice adds acidity and brightens the sauce. Start with the amount in the recipe, then add more to taste.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic gives the crema its savory flavor. I recommend finely grating the garlic with a microplane rather than chopping it. This distributes the garlic throughout the sauce and prevents getting a big piece of raw garlic in one bite.
• Salt: A small amount of salt brings the flavors together. Add it to taste.

Tips for making garlic lime crema

• Grate the garlic: For a smooth sauce, grate the garlic directly into the bowl with a microplane. This makes the garlic bolder and more pungent than any other method, but it creates a very fine garlic paste that mixes evenly into the yogurt. Add less garlic to start if you’re not a fan. And let it sit to mingle and mellow.
• Taste before adding more lime: Greek yogurt varies in acidity, so the amount of lime you need can vary too. Start with a tablespoon, stir, and taste before adding more. I use plain Greek yogurt by Skotidakis.
• Thin it for drizzling: If you’re using the crema on tacos or in a bowl, you may want it slightly thinner. Add water about a teaspoon at a time, stirring after each addition, until you can easily drizzle it from a spoon.
• Let it sit for a few minutes: You can use the crema immediately, but letting it sit for about 10 minutes gives the garlic time to flavor the yogurt.

Instructions

1. Add the Greek yogurt, fresh lime juice, grated garlic, and salt to a small bowl.

1. Stir everything together until smooth and creamy.
2. Taste the crema and adjust the lime juice or salt if needed. If it’s thicker than you’d like, stir in a small amount of water until it reaches a good drizzling consistency.

Storage

Store homemade garlic lime crema in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

What to Use Lime Crema With

This crema is great with anything that could use a cool, tangy topping, especially spicy dishes.

Try it with:

• Crispy Shrimp Tacos
• Chicken tacos
• Mexican street corn
• Quesadillas
• Nachos
• Taco bowls
• Rice and grain bowls
• Roasted potatoes
• Roasted vegetables
• Grilled chicken or shrimp

Try it with my Hot Honey Cajun Shrimp Tacos for a combination of spicy, sweet, tangy, and creamy flavors.

Can I make garlic lime crema ahead of time?

Yes. Garlic lime crema is a good make-ahead sauce.

Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Stir it before serving. If it thickens in the refrigerator, stir in a small amount of water or lime juice to loosen it.

Is lime crema the same as Mexican crema?

Not exactly. Mexican crema is a cultured dairy product, while lime crema is generally a prepared sauce made by adding lime and other seasonings to a creamy base. This homemade version uses Greek yogurt as the base.

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