Zesty Avocado Lime Crema: Low-Carb & High-Protein
This velvety, nutrient-dense dressing swaps heavy creaminess for protein-packed Greek yogurt, making it a perfect wholesome and macro-balanced addition to taco salads or grilled vegetable platters. The addition of ground cumin provides a subtle earthy warmth that complements the tangy lime and rich avocado perfectly.
- Total Time5 minutes
- Yield4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 medium ripe avocado (pitted and peeled) (approx. 150 g edible portion)
- 1 clove garlic (peeled and smashed) (3 g)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems (packed) (15 g)
- ½ cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt (or low-fat sour cream) (120 g)
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice (about 1 lime) (30 ml)
- 2–4 tbsp cold water (adjusted for consistency) (30–60 ml)
- ¼ tsp ground cumin (0.5 g)
- ¼ tsp salt (or to taste) (1.5 g)
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: Place the ripe avocado flesh, smashed garlic, and fresh cilantro into a food processor or high-speed blender. Pulse a few times just to break up the larger chunks of produce.
- Add Creaminess and Tang: Add the Greek yogurt, lime juice, ground cumin, and salt to the processor.
- Blend Until Smooth: Blend continuously on high for 30–45 seconds until the mixture is uniform and creamy. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure no chunks of garlic or herbs remain unblended.
- Adjust Consistency: With the motor running on low, slowly drizzle in the cold water, one tablespoon at a time. Use less water (about 1–2 tbsp) for a thick, dip-like consistency suitable for raw veggies, or add more (up to 4 tbsp total) for a pourable salad dressing.
- Final Polish: Taste the dressing. If needed, add a squeeze more lime juice for acidity or a pinch more salt. Transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Storage: The acidity from the lime juice helps prevent browning. For best results, press a piece of plastic wrap directly against the surface of the dressing before sealing the container. Best consumed within 24–48 hours.
- Allergy Alert: This recipe contains Dairy (yogurt).
- Substitution: For a dairy-free or vegan version, substitute the Greek yogurt with an unsweetened almond or coconut milk yogurt.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 78 kcal
- Total Fat: 5.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.8 g
- Cholesterol: 1 mg
- Sodium: 155 mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 4.6 g
- Dietary Fiber: 2.5 g
- Sugars: 1.5 g
- Net Carbs: 2.1 g
- Protein: 3.8 g
- Notable Nutrients: Potassium, Vitamin C
Disclaimer: These are approximate estimates based on standard nutritional data. Values may vary based on brands, exact measurements (especially avocado size), and specific ingredients used. For precise calculations, use a nutrition tracking app like MyFitnessPal or consult a reliable database.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Condiment / Dressing
- Cuisine: Mexican-American Fusion