3-Ingredient Chipotle Crema
My super simple and delicious 3-Ingredient Chipotle Crema is the perfect sauce for your favorite Vegetable Breakfast Hash with Sweet Potatoes or Spicy Shrimp Tacos. It comes together super fast without much fuss!
This Mexican-style sauce perfectly accompanies anything from burritos to bowls to french fries. It’s delicious, with just the right amount of heat that complements the tartness of sour cream. Lime gives it a little brightness and is an ideal complement. If you like it extra hot, add more chipotle chile peppers until you hit the right amount of heat!
How to buy Chipotle chile peppers
The ideal type for this recipe is Chipotle chiles in adobo. These can be found in the Latin area of the grocery store or Latin markets. They can be purchased jarred or canned. I use the canned variety because they are widely available in Los Angeles. Once opened, they keep in the fridge for up to two weeks and in the freezer for up to six months. (Note that freezing the peppers intensifies their heat.)
Smoky Chipotle chiles are available in adobo, dried, whole, and chile powder forms. For this recipe, I highly recommend using canned chiles in adobo.
I often use Chipotle chile peppers in my cooking. I love Mexican Salpicón de Res with a Spicy Chipotle Honey dressing (shredded beef salad—perfect for Summer!) and this mouthwatering Chipotle in Adobo Macaroni and Cheese!
How to make Chipotle Crema
You need three ingredients, not including salt and pepper:
- 1 cup of sour cream
- Juice of 1/2 fresh, ripe lime.
- 1 Chipotle chile pepper with the adobo sauce.
- 1 teaspoon of Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black ground pepper.
Now for the easy part! Add all of the ingredients to a blender or food processor bowl. Blend for about 20 seconds or until completely smooth. Adjust salt if needed. Do you like it hot? Feel free to add more Chipotle chile peppers. I’d add one at a time until you get the desired heat.
NOTE: Many recipes call for mayonnaise for Chipotle Crema. I find the sauce becomes very thick, and I also don’t like the added flavor of mayonnaise. I want to keep this sauce pure to enhance the flavors of your food and not overpower it.
Top your favorite breakfast, lunch, or dinner with this mouthwatering Chipotle Crema…you will love it!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Store up to 3 days in a container with a tight-fitting lid in the fridge.
Yes, use one teaspoon of chipotle powder per whole chipotle chile in adobo. However, it will not have the same flavor due to the lack of Adobo flavor.
Absolutely! Use plain, full-fat, or low-fat Greek-style yogurt.
Yes. Finely mince the chipotle chile pepper and whisk into the sour cream mixture. Just make sure that the chile is finely minced.
Yes, you can add a little honey or agave syrup if you prefer some sweetness to the sauce.
3 Ingredient Chipotle Crema
March 30, 2025
Equipment
- 1 small blender or food processor
Ingredients
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 lime juiced
- 1 whole Chipotle chile pepper with the adobo sauce
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black ground pepper.
Instructions
How to make Chipotle Crema
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender or food processor bowl.
- Blend for about 20 seconds or until completely smooth.
- Adjust salt if needed.
- Do you like it hot? Feel free to add more Chipotle chile peppers. Add one at a time until you get the desired heat.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is calculated online and should be used as a guide.
All content and photographs ©Claudia’s Table and claudiastable.com
This crema recipe was so simple to make and versatile to add to any dish, love it!
So yummy right? I’ve been using it as a dip also!