Vegan Cilantro Lime Crema

This Vegan Cilantro Lime Crema is a creamy, tangy sauce made with cashews, fresh cilantro, and lime juice. Drizzle it over tacos, burrito bowls, or use it as a dip for tortilla chips!

It comes together quickly in a blender and uses simple ingredients you may already have on hand.

Drizzle it over tacos. Spoon it onto burrito bowls. Toss it with salads. Use it as a dip for crunchy veggies.

Honestly, I've been putting it on just about everything!

Ingredients

Cilantro lime crema is a creamy sauce often used on tacos, burrito bowls, and tostadas. This vegan version uses blended cashews instead of dairy.

Cashews: Soak the cashews in hot water for about 10-15 minutes to soften them before blending. This helps create a smooth, creamy sauce.

Lime Juice: Start with the juice of about 1½ limes, then adjust to taste.

Jalapeño: Adds mild heat. Remove the seeds for less spice or leave them in for more heat.

Water: Helps the ingredients blend smoothly and thins the crema to your desired consistency.

See recipe card for quantities.

How to Make This Recipe

Whether you're looking to upgrade your weeknight meals or just want a flavorful sauce on hand to pull everything together, this cilantro lime dressing has you covered.

The full written recipe can be found in the recipe card below.

Step 1: Bring a small pot of water to a boil and add the cashews. Turn off the heat and soak the cashews in hot water for 15 minutes to soften.

Step 2: Drain the cashews and add them to a high-speed blender. Add all remaining ingredients except the cilantro into the blender with the cashews.

Step 3: Blend until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy. No gritty texture should remain.

Step 4: Once smooth, add the fresh cilantro.

Step 5: Pulse a few times until the sauce is well mixed but still has visible flecks of cilantro. Give the sauce a taste and adjust as needed.

Step 6: Enjoy on tacos, burritos, tostadas, salads, and more!

Substitutions & Variations

Nut-Free Option: Replace the cashews with vegan Greek yogurt or vegan sour cream.

Make it Tangier: Add more lime juice or a splash of apple cider vinegar.

Make it Spicier: Leave the jalapeño seeds in or add more jalapeño.

Serving Ideas

This cilantro crema is the kind of sauce you'll want to put on everything.

• On top of tacos: This sauce is perfect on vegan tacos! Try it with these spicy and delicious buffalo cauliflower tacos or classic tacos with tofu ground beef.
• On tostadas or burritos: Try it drizzled over crispy tofu tostadas or in your favorite burrito.
• In salads: Thin in out and use it as salad dressing for taco salads.
• As a dip: Dip tortilla chips in it or fresh or roasted veggies.

Tips & Tricks

The sauce will naturally thicken as it chills in the fridge. If it becomes too thick, simply stir in a splash of water to reach your desired consistency.

Soaking cashews is crucial for a smooth and creamy sauce. It helps ensure they blend completely and you end up with a really smooth cream sauce without any cashew bits.

Storage

Store: This vegan lime crema will keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-6 days.

Freeze: To freeze, transfer the crema to a freezer-safe container and store for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Stir well or re-blend before serving.

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