This Creamy Cilantro Crema came together one day when I started mixing a few ingredients I already had in the refrigerator. A little tasting and adjusting later, it turned into the perfect finishing touch for our Chicken Fajitas.

It's creamy, fresh, and has just the right amount of heat from the Cholula, balanced with bright lemon juice and fresh cilantro. I love how quickly it comes together and how it adds an extra layer of flavor without overpowering the meal.

While I created it for fajitas, it's also delicious on tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and burrito bowls. It's one of those simple recipes that's easy to keep in the refrigerator whenever you're making Mexican-inspired meals.

Fresh, creamy, and ready in just 5 minutes, this Creamy Cilantro Crema is an easy homemade topping that brings the perfect finishing touch to your favorite Mexican-inspired dishes. ♥

Creamy Cilantro Crema

Prep Time: 2 minutes | Make Time: 3 minutes | Total Time: 5 minutes | Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp sour cream
• 1 tbsp taco sauce, or more to taste
• 4–5 dashes Cholula Original Hot Sauce, or to taste
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, taco sauce, Cholula, lemon juice, cilantro, salt, and black pepper to a small bowl.
2. Stir until smooth and well combined.
3. Taste and adjust the seasoning, hot sauce, or lemon juice if desired.
4. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to use. For the best flavor, let the crema rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving, although it's delicious served immediately, too.

Jesse's Kitchen Tip

Letting the crema chill for about 30 minutes gives the flavors time to blend, but if you're short on time, it's just as delicious served right away.

Serving Suggestions

♥ Chicken Fajitas (see recipe)
♥ Tacos or burritos
♥ Quesadillas
♥ Nachos
♥ Burrito bowls

Storage

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Freezer: Not recommended, as the texture may separate after thawing.

Reheating

No reheating needed. Serve chilled, or let the crema sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving if it has been refrigerated.

Variations

♥ Add extra Cholula for more heat.
♥ Use fresh lime juice instead of lemon.
♥ Blend until smooth for a creamier consistency.
♥ Add a clove of garlic for extra flavor.
♥ Stir in a pinch of smoked paprika for a smoky twist.

Baby Friendly?

Suitable for 12+ months

• Omit the hot sauce for baby's portion.
• Reduce the added salt.
• Serve as a dip for soft vegetables or shredded chicken.

RDH Tip

Spicy foods can temporarily irritate sensitive gums or mouth sores. If that happens, make a milder version of this crema by reducing or omitting the hot sauce until your mouth has healed.

- A few simple ingredients, five minutes, and plenty of fresh flavor—that's sometimes all it takes to make a meal even better. I hope you enjoy this Creamy Cilantro Crema as much as we do. ♥