Thick and creamy with a hint of sweet smokiness best describes this Smoky Red Pepper Crema. It is a flavorful dip that uses so few ingredients you will wonder why you haven’t made it before. It may be even better than the Smoky Red Pepper Crema from HelloFresh. Please try it and decide for yourself!
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This super easy Smoky Red Pepper Crema is so versatile.
You can use it as a dip for tortilla chips, as a condiment for Mexican French Fries or as a drizzle on top of soft tacos.
It doesn’t require many ingredients and if you own a blender, you pretty much have all the recipe equipment you need to make this…
So what are you waiting for?
What Is A Crema?
A crema is a Mexican cream made, typically, of buttermilk and heavy cream that is similar to sour cream.
In general, dips and sauces that are sour-cream based and pair well with Mexican fare – like this smoky red pepper crema – are called ‘cremas‘.
Although this may not be entirely correct in the strict definition of the word, this usage seems to have gained popularity in recent years.
So, I decided to roll with it!
Why You Will Love This Recipe For Smoky Red Pepper Crema
While not an exact copycat recipe of HelloFresh’s Smoky Red Pepper Crema, this recipe uses even fewer ingredients.
That makes it very quick to prepare.
It has a mild taste, combined with a sweet and smoky flavor from the the smoked paprika.
The roasted red peppers only add to the slightly charred flavor of this crema!
Finally, the lime juice contributes a nice, acidic, finishing touch and provides a bit of added Mexican flare, too.
Smoky Red Pepper Crema – The Ingredients
This smoky red pepper crema is made of:
Some recipes add garlic and/or salt, but in keeping with my tradition of using the fewest ingredients possible for my seasonal recipes, I’ve omitted those two ingredients.
I don’t think it affects the taste too much, but if you want salt and/or garlic, you can certainly add these to your version of this recipe!
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Smoky Red Pepper Crema – Recipe Equipment Needed
You can probably make this Smoky Red Pepper Crema Recipe with nothing other than a blender!
But I included a knife to slice open the lime, a spoon to test the consistency and flavor of your crema and a small Pyrex Mixing Bowl really just because you might want a bowl for something.
By the way, I think it might be time for a new blender like this space-aged looking one!
That thing in the photo above is quite an antique – LOL!
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Combining The Ingredients
I’ll give you the exact ingredient measurements I used in the recipe card below, but this recipe only requires you to blend sour cream, roasted red peppers, smoked paprika and lime juice together.
These ingredients look so good together in my blender!
And the great thing is, you DON’T need the most expensive blender in the world to make this recipe.
Tips & Substitutions
Although some online recipes suggest roasting your own peppers, I feel that jarred roasted red peppers work just as well.
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I like to save time wherever I can when I’m cooking and sometimes that includes using pre-made ingredients.
A perfect example of this is when I decided to use canned artichokes in my Copycat Applebee’s Spinach Artichoke Dip, instead of peeling my own artichokes.
Also, you can always make your own Mexican Crema using Kevin’s Recipe from KevinIsCooking.com and use it in place of the sour cream.
Another suggestion is to check the consistency of your crema while it is still in the blender.
That way, if it’s too thin and watery, all you need to do is add a few more dollops of sour cream to thicken it up!
Much easier to do if it’s still in your blender.
And, of course, feel free to add garlic and/or salt if you feel that it will enhance the flavor.
Have fun experimenting!
Enjoy the recipe…
Smoky Red Pepper Crema Recipe
4
servings5
minutes0
minutes58
kcalYou will love the tangy sweetness of this Smoky Red Pepper Crema. This recipe is perfect as a dip for tortilla chips or as a drizzle for soft tacos. It uses so few ingredients which makes it a breeze to prepare and, if you follow my recipe, there is no cooking involved.
Even though this recipe doesn’t use many ingredients, I’ve added Amazon ingredient links to the few ingredients you will need so you can just save time by ordering them online.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups Sour Cream
2 tbsp Smoked Paprika
1/2 Lime (Juiced)
Directions
- Add one-and-a-half cups of sour cream to a blender.
- Add three ounces of roasted red peppers from a jar (you can adjust this amount if you want more or less of a roasted pepper flavor).
- Add two tablespoons of smoked paprika to the sour cream and roasted red pepper mixture.
- Slice a whole lime in half using a sharp kitchen knife like this one.
- Squeeze the juice from half a lime into the sour cream, roasted red pepper, and smoked paprika in the blender.
- Blend all the ingredients together on HIGH until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If there are still solid pieces of red peppers, blend some more until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Pour the crema from the blender into a dip or serving bowl and sprinkle additional smoked paprika on top for an even smokier flavor.
Notes
- If your smoky red pepper crema is still too watery after you blend all of the ingredients, simply add more sour cream and blend together further.
- I didn’t include garlic or salt like some other recipes for this smoky red pepper crema do, but if the final flavor is too mild you may want to add one or both of these ingredients.
- You can always add some organic cayenne pepper to this if you want to spice up your crema a bit.
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What To Serve With This Smoky Red Pepper Crema
This can be served as a dip with tortilla chips.
It can be used as a condiment with chicken or steak fajitas or wraps.
I even use this smoky red pepper crema as a substitute for ketchup and dip my french fries in it.
You can add it to burgers to give them a bit of a Mexican twist…
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The options are endless!
How To Store Your Smoky Red Pepper Crema
The best way to store this is to pour any excess smoky red pepper crema into a glass Mason jar like this one with a lid.
By sealing the lid tightly and refrigerating immediately after use, this will allow your crema to last for up to 14 days.
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Looking For Other Sauces Or Dips On SeasonalCookbook?
If you like enhancing the flavors of the food you eat, as much as I do, by adding sauces or dips then please check out my Quick Gyoza Dipping Sauce Recipe.
It is a very tasty sauce that pairs perfectly with Asian food and uses the fewest ingredients possible!
You may also like my Vietnamese Dipping Fish Sauce – it’s great for dipping Fresh Spring Rolls into.
What Did You Think Of This Smoky Red Pepper Crema Recipe?
Do you like this version of smoky red pepper crema?
If you make it yourself, do you add garlic or salt?
Do you have any other additions you like to add to your own recipe?
I would love to hear your thoughts in the Comments Section below!
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Happy Cooking!
