Easy Cilantro Lime Crema with Cottage Cheese Recipe
Make my easy Cilantro Lime Crema with Cottage Cheese Recipe for a healthier twist on traditional Mexican crema. With simple ingredients like cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, cilantro, and lime juice, this flavorful sauce is perfect for shrimp tacos, chicken enchiladas, or as a creamy dip with tortilla chips.
My Cilantro Lime Crema with Cottage Cheese Recipe is an easy and fresh take on a traditional Mexican crema that elevates any dish. With a handful of simple ingredients like cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, and light olive oil, you can whip up this creamy and flavorful sauce in no time.
It’s perfect for drizzling over shrimp tacos, chicken enchiladas, or burrito bowls, and even works beautifully as a dip for tortilla chips. This recipe is a go-to in my kitchen when I want something that’s quick, versatile, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re preparing a weeknight dinner or hosting friends, this healthier crema adds just the right tangy, zesty kick to any meal.
BYOS: Flavor Without the Fire!
Love bold flavors but not the heat? Spice things up on your own terms with this BYOS recipe bursting with deliciousness. All the ingredients are prepped for easy digestion and a heartburn-free experience. Adjust the spice level to your preference—no more burnt tongues or tears here! Now, everyone can enjoy this recipe regardless of their spice tolerance!
Why You’ll Love This Lime Crema with Cilantro Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Whip it up in minutes with a few simple ingredients for an effortless sauce or dip.
- Versatile Flavor: Pairs perfectly with tacos, enchiladas, burrito bowls, or as a dip for chips.
- High in Protein: Made with cottage cheese and Greek yogurt, giving you a boost of protein in every serving.
- Fresh and Tangy: The combination of cilantro, lime, and garlic adds a bright, zesty flavor to any dish.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make the best-tasting cilantro lime crema with cottage cheese:
Cottage Cheese: You can substitute with an equal amount of ricotta cheese for a similar creamy texture. Silken tofu can be used as a dairy-free alternative. Use the same amount and blend until smooth. You can also blend in some cotija cheese.
Greek Yogurt: This can be replaced with cream cheese, more cottage cheese or plain sour cream for a different tangy flavor. Coconut or almond milk yogurt can be used as a dairy-free option.
Fresh Cilantro: You can omit or replace with fresh parsley or chives for a different herb flavor.
If you prefer a milder taste, use basil or a combination of herbs like dill and parsley.
Light Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil can be used as alternatives for a slightly different taste. To reduce calories, consider using vegetable or chicken broth.
Fresh Lime Juice: Lemon juice can be substituted for lime juice for a different citrus flavor. You can also use store-bought lime juice.
Garlic: Use garlic powder as a substitute for fresh garlic cloves if you prefer a milder flavor.
Onion Powder: Finely minced fresh onions or shallots can be used instead of onion powder for a more pronounced onion flavor. Garlic powder or paprika can also be used.
How to Make My Cottage Cheese Lime Crema Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
Peel and roughly chop the garlic clove and cilantro.
Step 2: Blend the Crema
In a blender, food processor, or chopper cup of an immersion blender, combine the cottage cheese, greek yogurt, olive oil, chopped cilantro, garlic clove, onion powder, and salt. Squeeze the juice from one lime (approximately 2 tablespoons) into the blender.
Blend all the ingredients together until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. Scrape down the sides of the blender if necessary.
Taste the crema and adjust the seasoning if needed. Adjust the consistency if desired by adding more light olive oil to use as a pourable salad dressing.
Enjoy your homemade, creamy cilantro lime sauce! Experiment with different dishes and savor the rich and tangy flavor.
Lighter Cottage Cheese Lime Crema Recipe Notes
Cottage Cheese Texture: Blending the cottage cheese in a high-powered blender will eliminate the curdled texture of the cottage cheese and make a smooth crema.
Consistency Adjustment: This recipe makes a thicker crema, which is perfect as a dipping sauce for tortilla chips or to squirt over tacos or rice bowls. For a thinner consistency, add a bit more olive oil or a splash of water if you want to use it as a zesty salad dressing.
Garlic Intensity: Fresh garlic can be fairly strong. Adjust the amount of garlic based on your preference. You can replace it with garlic powder for a milder flavor.
Chilling Time: While it’s optional, allowing the crema to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes enhances the flavors and gives the ingredients time to meld.
Do you love lighter Mexican-inspired food? Check out more of my easy and delicious recipes:
- Gluten-Free Panera Beef Tortilla Soup
- Cheesecake Factory White Chicken Chili
- Heartburn-Free Gluten-Free Shrimp Tacos w/ Cottage Cheese Lime Crema
- Easy Copycat Costco Cilantro Lime Shrimp
Cilantro Lime Crema with Cottage Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup cilantro (chopped)
- 1/4 cup light olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (1 lime)
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Peel and roughly chop the garlic clove and cilantro.Â
- In a blender, food processor, or chopper cup of an immersion blender, combine the cottage cheese, greek yogurt, olive oil, chopped cilantro, garlic clove, onion powder, and salt. Squeeze the juice from one lime (approximately 2 tablespoons) into the blender.Blend all the ingredients together until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. Scrape down the sides of the blender if necessary.Taste the crema and adjust the seasoning if needed. Adjust the consistency if desired by adding more light olive oil to use as a pourable salad dressing.Enjoy your homemade, creamy cilantro lime sauce! Experiment with different dishes and savor the rich and tangy flavor.
My family loved this!
That makes me so happy 🙂 Thank you for the review!