Creamy, herby, tangy, and high in protein - this cilantro lime crema isn't authentic but it's the sauce that makes everything taste better! It's fresh, bright and comes together in 5 minutes with a handful of simple ingredients. You'll be drizzling it on everything from tacos to rice bowls to your daily morning scrambled eggs!
The secret ingredient to making it high protein is cottage cheese and before you roll your eyes and think, not another cottage cheese recipe (I'm looking at you cottage cheese non-believers), you can't even tell! Even the biggest cottage cheese skeptics can't taste it. It blends up smoothly and adds a nice protein boost that doesn't make you feel guilty about eating something so creamy.
So whether you're meal prepping for the week or just need a quick and delicious sauce for taco Tuesday, this high protein cilantro lime crema is going to deliver every time.
What's a crema?
To start off, crema is the Spanish word for cream! Crema is a Mexican condiment, traditionally made from a combination of heavy cream and buttermilk or sour cream. It's similar to crème fraîche but thinner, richer and less tangy. It's the creamy white drizzle you see on top of tacos, enchiladas, and elotes!
This cilantro lime crema swaps the traditional, fattier base for blended cottage cheese and Greek yogurt, which mimics the same smooth, creamy, and pourable crema texture but with more protein! The additional cilantro, lime and garlic elevate the creamy high protein base for one you'll eat on everything.
Why you'll love this cilantro lime crema
- High in protein - Cottage cheese and Greek yogurt makes a sauce you can feel good about eating.
- Ready in 5 minutes - Blends smoothly in a blender!
- Meal prep friendly - Make a batch and drizzle it on all your meals during the week.
- Fresh and bright - Cilantro and lime make for light and bright flavors in this crema!
Jump to:
Ingredients
- Cottage cheese: Low fat or 2% for a macro friendly base.
- Greek yogurt: Use non-fat plain Greek yogurt for an added tang that's macro-friendly.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro is the best!
- Garlic: Adds a little sharp flavor without being overpowering.
- Salt: To taste.
- Lime juice: Use fresh lime juice here for a brighter flavor! None of that pre-juiced nonsense.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make Cilantro lime crema
- Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Adjust salt, lime juice, or cilantro to taste.
Top tip
Make sure your cottage cheese is fully blended! Curds left in your crema is due to not blending until smooth.
Make different variations of crema
- Avocado crema - Add avocado for a cilantro lime avocado crema that closely resembles guacamole.
- Chipotle crema - Remove the cilantro and add 1 teaspoon of chipotle in adobo sauce for a smoky kick.
- Classic high protein crema - Remove the cilantro for a classic and simple crema that goes with everything!
Storage
Store the cilantro lime crema in an air tight container for up to 5 days (unless the cottage cheese or Greek yogurt expire soon). Give it a stir before enjoying as it may separate.
FAQ
Crema is the Spanish word for cream! Crema is a Mexican condiment, traditionally made from a combination of heavy cream and buttermilk or sour cream. It's similar to crème fraîche but thinner, richer and less tangy. It's the creamy white sauce you see on top of Mexican tacos, enchiladas, and elotes!
Depending on your size food pressor, it can break down the cottage cheese but it might not come out as creamy.
The flavor won't be quite the same, but parsley or basil can be substituted in place of cilantro. Lemon in place of lime would pair well with these substitutions as well.
Other recipes to try:
Cilantro Lime Crema (High protein!)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese low fat
- ¼ cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 garlic clove
- ½ teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- Juice of 1 lime
- ½-1 cup Cilantro
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Adjust salt, lime juice, or cilantro to taste.1 cup cottage cheese, ¼ cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt, 1 garlic clove, ½ teaspoon salt, Juice of 1 lime, ½-1 cup Cilantro
Notes
- Blend until smooth and adjust salt, cilantro, or lime juice to your liking!
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