Chipotle Crema

Looking for a versatile, creamy sauce to add a touch of smoky heat to your favorite Mexican dishes? This easy chipotle crema is the perfect zesty condiment!

Need a quick, flavorful crema for tacos, bowls, and more?

You’ll want to keep a batch of this smoky chipotle crema on hand! It’s an incredibly simple blend of Mexican crema (or sour cream), adobo sauce from canned chipotles, lime juice, and cilantro. Just whisk it together and you’ve got an instantly craveable, south-of-the-border inspired sauce.

The light creaminess gets a major flavor boost from the richly smoky, spicy (but not too spicy) notes of the chipotles, just like in our chipotle aioli. Yet it’s still nice and tangy from the lime juice with a fresh herb kick from cilantro. Use it as a zesty topping for tacos, tostadas, burrito bowls, grilled proteins, and whatever else needs a little pop of spice!

With just 5 minutes of prep, you can have this incredibly flavorful, south-of-the-border inspired crema on hand to elevate all your Mexican faves!

Chipotle Crema Ingredients

• 1/4 cup crema (or Mexican sour cream)
• 1/4 cup sour cream or mayonnaise
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, plus 2 tbsp of the sauce
• ⅛ cup fresh cilantro

Substitutions

• Crema: If Mexican crema is unavailable, use regular sour cream for a similar texture.
• Sour Cream or Mayo: Depending on your preference for creaminess, you may substitute one for the other or use a blend of both.
• Chipotle Peppers: Adjust the number of peppers to increase or decrease the heat level.

How to Make Chipotle Crema

1. Combine Ingredients:
   • Place the crema, sour cream (or mayo), garlic cloves, lime juice, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, and fresh cilantro in a food processor.
2. Blend Until Smooth:
   • Pulse all the ingredients until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides as necessary to ensure even blending.
3. Adjust to Taste:
   • Taste the crema and adjust the seasoning as needed. If it’s too spicy, add more crema or sour cream. If it’s not spicy enough, add a bit more adobo sauce. Repeat until you achieve the desired balance of creaminess and heat.
4. Chill Before Serving:
   • For the best flavor, refrigerate the crema for at least an hour before serving to let the flavors meld together

What to Use Chipotle Crema On

Drizzle Chipotle Crema over tacos, enchiladas, or grilled meats to add a rich, smoky flavor. It’s also great as a dip for chips or fresh veggies.

• Ground Pork Tacos
• Flank Steak Tacos
• Chicken Chilaquiles
• Grilled Shrimp Tacos
• Quesabirria and Birra quesadillas
• Garnachas
• Chicken Tacos
• Chipotle Hash and Chorizo eggs and potatoes or chorizo breakfast bowls
• Bavette Steak Tacoos and simple grilled steak tacos (aka, all the tacos)
• Chicken Tinga Stuffed Peppers
• Stuffed Poblanos
• Elotes or on Grilled Corn Salad
• Fajita Burgers
• Carne Asada Nachos
• Blackened Salmon
• Chicken Enchiladas and Enchiladas Verdes (who are we kidding, it’s great on beef, pork, and seafood enchiladas, too)

More Saucy Condiment Recipes

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Homemade Cilantro Chimichurri

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Chipotle Aioli Recipe

Sauces, Mops, & Condiments

Red Chimichurri

This Chipotle Crema is a must-try for anyone who loves a touch of heat with their meals. It’s quick to prepare and sure to impress with its depth of flavor and creamy texture. Customize the heat to your liking and enjoy this delicious condiment with a variety of dishes.