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Creamy Smoky Chipotle Crema Recipe Easy Homemade Sauce for Tacos and Bowls

Creamy Smoky Chipotle Crema - featured image

A quick and easy creamy sauce with smoky chipotle heat, perfect for tacos, bowls, and more. This versatile crema balances smoky heat with creamy coolness and bright lime zing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, finely chopped
  • 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt to taste
  • 23 tablespoons (3045 ml) water or milk
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. Remove 2 chipotle peppers from the adobo sauce jar and finely chop them.
  2. In a blender or food processor, combine 1 cup sour cream, chopped chipotle peppers, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and a pinch of salt.
  3. Pulse the mixture for 30 seconds to 1 minute until creamy and smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
  4. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons water or milk to thin the sauce to desired consistency and blend briefly again.
  5. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, lime juice, smoked paprika, or an extra chipotle pepper if desired.
  6. Stir in 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro if using.
  7. Chill the crema in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.

Notes

Use gloves when handling chipotle peppers if sensitive to spice. Adjust heat by adding more or fewer chipotle peppers. For dairy-free version, substitute sour cream with cashew cream or coconut yogurt and add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Chill crema before serving for best flavor and texture. If too thick after chilling, whisk in a splash of water or lime juice.

Nutrition

Keywords: chipotle crema, smoky sauce, taco sauce, creamy chipotle, homemade crema, easy sauce, taco night, bowl sauce