Looking for the perfect lime crema to take your tacos, bowls, or grilled veggies to the next level? This orange and lime crema is a zesty, herby, and creamy twist on the traditional Mexican crema. Made with Greek yogurt, a touch of mayo, fresh lime and orange juice, and fragrant spices. It’s an easy, flavorful sauce you’ll want to drizzle on everything. This recipe has been tested and perfected for smooth texture, balanced flavor, and maximum versatility.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Lime Crema
- Why Trust Me?
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Make Lime Crema
- Variations & Substitutions
- Other Uses for Lime Crema (Not Just for Tacos!)
- How to Store Lime Crema
- Final Thoughts
- Connect With Me
Why You’ll Love This Lime Crema
This isn’t your average cilantro lime crema or sour cream taco topping. This version adds a citrusy upgrade with fresh orange juice, and skips the usual cilantro in favor of fresh parsley, which adds brightness without overpowering other flavors. It’s light, creamy, and keeps well in the fridge, making it one of those easy sauces that can elevate leftovers or add a finishing touch to a weeknight dinner.
Why Trust Me?
As a professional recipe developer and lifestyle expert, I’ve spent years creating food content for home cooks who love big flavor and simple ingredients. I test every recipe until it’s just right and I’ve made this lime crema dozens of times to top roasted veggie tacos, spoon over grilled chicken, or drizzle onto grain bowls. If you love quick, affordable recipes that feel gourmet, you’re in the right place.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (plain, full-fat for creaminess)
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise (adds richness)
- Juice of ½ lime
- Juice of ½ orange
- Pinch of salt and pepper
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp roasted garlic powder (or regular garlic powder)
- ½ cup fresh parsley
Ingredient Tip
You can use sour cream instead of Greek yogurt for a more traditional crema, or do a 50/50 blend.
How to Make Lime Crema
- Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender or food processor.
- Blend until smooth and creamy (about 30 seconds).
- Taste and adjust salt or citrus as needed.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
That’s it! This recipe comes together in under 5 minutes — it’s truly an easy lime crema worth keeping on hand.
Variations & Substitutions
- Cilantro Lime Crema – Swap parsley for cilantro if you want the classic version.
- Add spice – A pinch of cayenne or a dash of hot sauce adds heat.
- Make it vegan – Use dairy-free yogurt and vegan mayo.
- Use lime zest – For extra citrus flavor, add ½ tsp of lime zest.
- Swap garlic powder for fresh garlic – If you love bold garlic, use a small fresh clove.
Other Uses for Lime Crema (Not Just for Tacos!)
This versatile lime crema sauce pairs beautifully with all sorts of dishes. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use it other than roasted cauliflower tacos or black bean tacos.
- Grain Bowls – Drizzle over quinoa or rice bowls with roasted veggies.
- Fish – A great creamy topping for grilled or baked fish.
- Roasted Potatoes – Use as a dip or finishing drizzle.
- Wraps & Sandwiches – Spread it inside pitas or wraps.
- Veggie Dip – Serve as a healthy dip for raw or roasted vegetables.
- Egg Dishes – Spoon onto breakfast burritos or scrambled eggs.
- Grilled Chicken or Shrimp – An easy way to elevate simple proteins.
It’s one of those simple ingredients that works like a gourmet pantry staple, and that’s the kind of pantry hack I love to share.
Expert Tips for the Best Lime Crema
Use fresh citrus – Bottled juice won’t give the same brightness.
Blend well – For the smoothest texture, use a food processor or high-speed blender.
Let it chill – Crema thickens slightly in the fridge and tastes even better cold.
Batch it up – Double the recipe to have leftovers for the week.
How to Store Lime Crema
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container or glass jar for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Not ideal for freezing, as the texture may separate when thawed.
- Shake before using – If it thickens too much, stir in a splash of water or more citrus.
FAQ
Final Thoughts
This lime crema recipe with orange and parsley is one of those tiny upgrades that makes everything taste better. Whether you’re building veggie tacos, prepping for a dinner party, or just want something delicious in your fridge for the week — this easy sauce will become your new favorite.
It’s creamy, citrusy, and endlessly versatile — and the best part? You made it from scratch in under 5 minutes. Now that’s what I call a pantry win.
Connect With Me
Follow me on Instagram for more delicious recipes and food tips. And, join me over on Facebook where I share recipes daily!
Christopher is a food and lifestyle expert, recipe developer and the content creator behind May Eighty Five. With over 6 years of creating recipes for your favourite food brands, he also shares tips, tricks and how to’s that he has learnt over the years. Every week, he shares quick, simple and mostly healthy recipes along with some home and entertaining tips. You will find flavorful cocktails, delicious appetizers, tasty mains and some indulgent desserts.
