Creamy Chipotle Lime Crema
A quick and easy creamy sauce blending smoky chipotle peppers with fresh lime juice and sour cream, perfect for tacos, grilled meats, roasted veggies, or as a dip.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: About 1 1/4 cups (serves 8 as a sauce or dip) 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) mayonnaise
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lime juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt to taste (start with 1/4 teaspoon)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave nectar (optional)
Instructions
- Remove 2 chipotle peppers from the can along with 1 tablespoon of the smoky adobo sauce. Chop them roughly to make blending easier.
- In a blender or food processor, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, chopped chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, fresh lime juice, and minced garlic. Blend on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 30 seconds.
- Add salt (start with 1/4 teaspoon), ground cumin (optional), and honey or agave nectar (optional). Pulse briefly to mix. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
- Transfer the crema to a bowl, cover tightly, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Before serving, stir and taste again. Add more salt or lime juice if needed. If too thick, stir in a teaspoon or two of water or milk to loosen.
Notes
Use gloves when handling chipotle peppers if sensitive to spice. Fresh lime juice is essential for brightness. Letting the crema chill for at least 30 minutes deepens the flavor. For dairy-free version, substitute sour cream and mayo with coconut yogurt and vegan mayo. Adjust chipotle quantity for desired heat level.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons (30 ml
- Calories: 70
- Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Protein: 1
Keywords: chipotle, lime, crema, sauce, dip, smoky, creamy, easy, quick, Mexican