Mexican Crema – House of Yumm

A thick, tangy Mexican Crema that is perfect for drizzling on tacos, enchiladas, soups and more! Made with only 4 ingredients, this homemade version adds just the right creamy, richness to your favorite Mexican and Tex Mex dishes.

What is Mexican Crema?

Mexican crema is a very popular Mexican and Tex Mex condiment that is similar to American sour cream. It has a thick creamy consistency and a tangy flavoring.

Use it as a drizzle, for the finishing touch, over the top of nachos, taco, enchiladas and other Mexican meals. It’s also used in soups where it adds a nice rich, creamy consistency.

The cold, creaminess of it tones down spicy foods, and it adds a soothing flavor to all dishes.

Ingredients

• Sour Cream: you can sub this with buttermilk also. We need some kind of cultured cream and I personally have sour cream on hand more often.
• Heavy Cream: this creates a nice, thick cream sauce.
• Lime Juice: adds a nice fresh citrus taste.
• Salt: use a fine ground sea salt.

Find the complete recipe card below with measurements and full instructions.

How to Make Mexican Crema

1. First, pour the heavy cream into a clean jar.
2. Then, stir in the sour cream (or buttermilk) then cover the jar and let sit at room temperature for up to 24 hours until thickened.
3. Finally, add the lime juice and salt. Stir, taste and adjust.
4. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Mexican Crema vs Sour Cream

• Mexican Crema typically has a higher fat content than sour cream. It is less likely to curdle when heated making it a nice addition to soups.
• Crema has a slightly sweeter taste, it’s less sour, but more tangy.
• Crema is thinner and more of a cream sauce than sour cream is. Crema is typically drizzled, while sour cream is added in dollops to top a meal.

Mexican Crema Substitutes

1. Crème fraîche: this French version of cultured cream is similar in its tangy taste. It is a bit thicker, but can be thinned with a splash of lime juice or milk.
2. Sour Cream: thicker and with an exaggerated sour taste, this can be used as is, or stir in some milk to create a thinner cream you can drizzle.
3. Plain Yogurt: while the flavoring is different, it will still provide a creamy, cooling effect.

Recipes that Use Mexican Crema

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Recipe posted April 3, 2023. Updated April 8, 2024.