Homemade Mexican Crema: The Creamy, Tangy Topping You Need

Mexican Crema is a condiment that can transform your meals from ordinary to extraordinary. Tangy, slightly spicy, and luxuriously creamy, this versatile sauce is a staple in Mexican cuisine and the perfect finishing touch for a wide array of dishes. Move over sour cream – once you taste homemade Mexican crema, you’ll understand why it’s a must-have in your kitchen.

Spoonful of crema over the jar. There is a tortilla covered with beans, onions and pesto in the background

I recently discovered a fantastic Mexican restaurant in a neighboring town that truly understands the magic of Mexican crema. While I was familiar with crema, I had never experienced it quite like this – served as a vibrant “salsa” alongside chips. Dipping a chip into their creamy Mexican crema was a revelation, and I was immediately determined to recreate that experience at home.

After some experimentation, I believe I’ve cracked the code! My homemade Mexican crema recipe captures the authentic taste and texture, perhaps even a bit thicker than the restaurant version. I prefer a slightly thicker crema, especially when drizzling it over warm dishes like quesadillas. As it gently melts with the heat, it reaches the perfect consistency without becoming too runny.

What Exactly is Mexican Crema?

Mexican crema is a cultured cream, similar in use to sour cream or French crème fraîche, but with a distinctively Mexican twist. The key difference lies in its flavor profile: crema boasts a delightful tanginess and a subtle spicy kick that elevates it beyond ordinary dairy toppings. Its thinner consistency compared to American sour cream makes it ideal for drizzling and dolloping.

Why Make Your Own Mexican Crema? It’s Easier Than You Think!

You might be wondering if making Mexican crema from scratch is worth the effort. Trust me, it absolutely is! Like many of the best homemade recipes, this Mexican crema is incredibly simple to prepare. In fact, the hardest part is practicing a little patience as it thickens.

The process is as easy as whisking together a few key ingredients in a bowl. By making it yourself, you control the quality of ingredients and can adjust the spice level to your preference. Plus, homemade always tastes fresher and more vibrant than store-bought alternatives.

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Key Ingredients for Authentic Mexican Crema (and Simple Substitutes)

To make this delicious Mexican crema, you only need a handful of ingredients, many of which you likely already have in your kitchen:

Heavy Cream: Using heavy cream is crucial for achieving the right thick and creamy texture. Light cream will result in a thinner crema, which we’re aiming to avoid.
Sour Cream: Full-fat sour cream is my go-to for richness, but low-fat versions will also work if you’re looking to lighten it up slightly.
Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice is essential for that signature tangy flavor. Avoid bottled lime juice for the best taste.
Chipotle Powder: This is the secret ingredient that adds a wonderful smoky and subtly spicy dimension. Start with ¼ teaspoon, and increase to ½ teaspoon or more if you prefer a spicier crema. If you can’t find chipotle powder, regular chili powder can be used in a pinch, but you’ll miss the distinctive smoky notes.
Salt: Just a pinch of salt balances the flavors and enhances the overall taste.

Expert Tips for Perfect Homemade Mexican Crema

Always Wash Your Limes: It’s important to wash limes before zesting or juicing them. Use a natural, unscented hand soap, lather the limes, and scrub them with a vegetable brush under cold running water. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue before cutting.
Make it Ahead: Mexican crema is a fantastic make-ahead condiment. It will last for up to two weeks (and often even longer) when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This makes it perfect for meal prepping or having on hand for impromptu taco nights.
Adjust the Spice: Not a fan of spice? Start with a smaller amount of chipotle powder and taste as you go. Love the heat? Feel free to add more chipotle powder or even a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
Get Creative with Flavor: While this recipe is for classic Mexican crema, you can easily customize it. Try adding a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, or even a dash of cumin for different flavor variations.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Mexican Crema at Home

Let’s walk through the simple steps to create your own batch of delicious Mexican crema.

Pre-step

Gather your equipment: a mixing bowl and a whisk.

Step one

Assemble all the ingredients: heavy cream, sour cream, lime, chipotle powder, and salt.

Cream, lime, sour cream and chipotle powder for the crema

Step two

Pour one cup of heavy cream into your mixing bowl.

Cream poured in the bowl and a whisk in the background

Step three

Add a heaping tablespoon of sour cream to the bowl.

Sour cream measured out in front of the bowl of cream

Step four

Squeeze a fresh lime and measure out one tablespoon of lime juice.

Lime juice measured out with a whisk, bowl of cream and limes

Step five

Measure ¼ teaspoon of chipotle powder.

Chipotle powder measured out

Step six

Add a pinch of salt to the bowl.

Image: All ingredients – heavy cream, sour cream, lime juice, chipotle powder, and salt – combined in a mixing bowl.

Step seven

Whisk all the ingredients together for about a minute, or until they are fully combined and smooth.

The crema whisked in a clear bowl

Step eight

Now comes the (slightly) hard part: loosely cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest on your kitchen counter for four hours. During this resting time, the crema will naturally thicken to the perfect consistency.

After four hours, transfer your homemade Mexican crema to a jar or airtight container. You can use it immediately or store it in the refrigerator for later.

For a quick and delicious snack, try this: spread some refried beans on a warm tortilla, sprinkle with shredded cheese, and heat until melted. Top with Mexican pickled onions and a dollop of avocado spread.

Crema in a glass jar ready to be used

Finally, generously drizzle your freshly made Mexican crema over the beans and cheese.

Crema on some beans and cheese in a flour tortilla with pesto, onions and a jar of crema in the background

Yum! Enjoy the creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy goodness of your homemade Mexican crema.

Delicious Ways to Use Your Mexican Crema

This versatile Mexican crema is more than just a topping – it’s a flavor enhancer that can be used in countless ways! Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

Tacos and Burritos: The classic pairing! Drizzle generously over your favorite tacos, burritos, and fajitas.
Quesadillas and Enchiladas: Adds a cool and creamy contrast to cheesy, warm quesadillas and enchiladas.
Soups and Chili: A dollop of crema adds richness and tang to tortilla soup, chili, and other hearty soups.
Salads: Use it as a creamy and flavorful dressing for Mexican-inspired salads.
Grilled Meats and Vegetables: Spoon over grilled chicken, steak, fish, or roasted vegetables for added moisture and flavor.
Nachos and Loaded Fries: Take your nachos and loaded fries to the next level with a drizzle of Mexican crema.
Breakfast Dishes: Try it on huevos rancheros, breakfast burritos, or even scrambled eggs for a creamy kick.

And as always, may all your dishes be delish.

If you try this Mexican crema recipe, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below! Let me know what you thought and how you used it. You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for more delicious recipes and food inspiration!

Mexican Crema Recipe

Mexican crema is tangy, spicy, and deliciously creamy. This versatile condiment is the perfect topping to elevate everything from tacos to burgers and even salads!

4.67 from 18 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Condiment
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: crema, Mexican crema

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Resting time: 4 hours hours
Total Time: 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 cup
Calories: 102kcal
Author: Elaine Benoit

Ingredients

1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon sour cream (heaping)
1 tablespoon lime juice (freshly squeezed)
1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder
dash salt

Instructions

Add heavy cream, sour cream, lime juice, chipotle powder and salt to the mixing bowl
Whisk for around a minute or until combined
Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest on the counter for four hours. It will thicken during this time
Dollop on some tacos or a quesadilla
Eat
Enjoy

Equipment

glass bowlglass bowl

whisk

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Nutrition information is automatically calculated and may vary based on exact ingredients used. For accuracy, consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.

Nutrition

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Elaine Benoit

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From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit’s journey is a testament to passion’s transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, “Dishing,” and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it’s for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine’s diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.

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