Mexican avocado cream [5 Minute]

Silky smooth, creamy, flavorful, slightly hot, this 5 Minute Avocado Cream is the perfect avocado topping, dip or sauce for all your favorite Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes. Our Vegan Avocado Cream is also Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Paleo, Keto, and Whole30!

This avocado crema recipe is like the light, fluffy, and silky smooth cousin of traditional chunky guacamole, and we love it! This versatile condiment is prepared in minutes with just a handful of simple, inexpensive ingredients and a food processor. Even better, it’s a truly universal avocado sauce for tacos, burritos, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and more!

What is Avocado Cream?

Let’s start with the crema first. Traditional Mexican crema is a spicy, creamy condiment, similar to sour cream (but thicker and richer—often with buttermilk and whipped cream) served with spicy Mexican dishes to help tame the heat.

Avocado crema adds avocados to the mix (often mixed with sour cream rather than crema) for a thicker, creamier flavor. However, for this vegan avocado crema recipe, we created a version that is 100% dairy-free and can be made with or without (for a cheaper option) non-dairy sour cream/yogurt.

With ingredients like garlic, cilantro, lemon juice, and optional jalapeño, the result is a creamy, slightly tangy condiment that’s similar to guacamole but super smooth, juicy, and fluffy, perfect for dollops or drizzles… well, anything!

And if you love that Avocado Cilantro Cream, you might also like our Tomatillo Avocado Salsa Verde, Creamy Avocado Sauce, Green Goddess Dressing, or Avocado Pesto!

The ingredients

Rely on 6 easy and inexpensive ingredients to make this flavorful Mexican Avocado Cream Sauce.

• Avocado: Whenever possible, use good quality ripe Hass avocados. When squeezing, the avocado should give slightly without feeling mushy.
• Onion: (optional but highly recommended) Use red or yellow onions for spiciness.
• Garlic: Adjust the amount to taste and use garlic powder in a pinch.
• Lemon or Lime Juice: For the best flavor, use fresh lemon (or lime) juice. You can also add a little of the zest for a more “savory” flavored avocado-lime crema.
• Coriander: Use fresh cilantro and adjust the amount to taste.
• Salt: Use kosher salt/sea salt. Season this Mexican Avocado Sauce to taste.
• jalapeno: (optional – Serrano also works) For a tangy avocado crema sauce, stir in some finely chopped chili (deseeded for a milder spiciness). Alternatively, add heat with cayenne pepper or some red pepper flakes.

For a smokier taste in the avocado jalapeño crema, broil or grill the jalapeños until slightly charred at first.

What else could I add?

• Vegan Sour Cream or Yogurt: To add spice to a traditional avocado crema recipe. Add about ¼ cup, increasing to taste.
• Smoked chipotle powder/smoked paprika: Just a pinch for smoky depth of flavor.
• Cumin: Just a little adds an earthy, savory flavor to this avocado sauce.

How do you make vegan avocado crema?

• 1) First prepare the ingredients by peeling the garlic and onion (and coarsely chopping the latter and deseeding and removing the stem of the jalapeño (if using)), then place these 3 ingredients in a food processor to finely process and crumbly to process.

• 2) Slice the avocados, remove the stone and place the flesh in the food processor along with all the remaining ingredients (we recommend a range of amounts for each ingredient – like cilantro, garlic and salt – use the smaller amount). Process until the avocado cream is super smooth and creamy.

• 3) Taste the avocado lime cream and adjust the flavors (cilantro, garlic, lemon, salt, jalapeno) to your liking. Then let it marinate for at least 20 minutes and enjoy!

frequently asked Questions

recipe notes

• Avoid avocados with brown spots: These can have a more bitter taste, so trim away any large brown bits before processing the pulp.
• To dilute the vegan crema: Add a little plant-based milk (or water), a spoonful at a time, mixing or stirring in between until you reach the desired consistency.
• Let it marinate: Letting the avocado-lime crema sit for at least 15 minutes (or even longer) will allow the flavors to meld better.
• taste: Due to the simplicity of this avocado cream recipe, many ingredients are added “to taste”. Although we have recommended a range of amounts, always start with the lower amount, then taste and adjust.

Storage Instructions

As with any avocado-based recipe, the biggest problem with this vegan avocado cream is that the avocados will brown prematurely. However, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator 2-3 Days.

To get the most out of durability, add an extra layer of either lPour emone/lime juice or water/olive oil over the avocado cream (or press a piece plastic wrap over it above) before storage.

You can also freeze it up 3 monthsalthough you may need to add some ingredients when defrosting as the flavor may soften.

How do I use Avocado Lime Cream?

Like guacamole, this Avocado Cilantro Lime Cream makes a versatile avocado topping (for dabs, drizzles, or as a sauce) for virtually any Mexican or Tex-Mex/Southwestern dish. However, it also makes a perfect addition to your next potluck or game day!

• It’s the best avocado cream for vegan tacos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, tostadas, etc.
• For dipping – raw vegetables, pita/tortilla chips, sweet potato fries, roasted vegetables, etc.
• In a vegan burrito bowl, rice bowl, or Mexican salad (like Texas caviar)
• With a spicy bean burger and other vegan burgers and sandwiches
• Dabbed on a baked potato
• Stuffed peppers or zucchini boats
• Black bean chili
• With pasta salads and potato salads
• Scrambled eggs with tofu

More vegan dip recipes

Photos by Alfonso Revilla