Vegan Avocado Crema Sauce

Vegan Avocado Crema, a simple plant-based take on avocado cream sauce using lime juice and cashews for a creamy consistency. Super easy and mega tasty!

a bowl of vegan avocado crema sauce in a white bowl with an avocado and lime

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Love avocado cream sauces but want to make it without the dairy? This plant-based avocado crema is packed with flavor and is the perfect topping for tacos, nachos, or bowls.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Ready to learn how to make a vegan version of avocado cream sauce? Let’s do it!


๐Ÿฅ‘ Ingredients

  • Avocado: a large, ripe avocado provides a soft texture and is the base of this crema sauce
  • Cashews: raw, unsalted cashews are soaked and then blended with the avocado for a creamy consistency
  • Lime juice: either fresh or bottled lime juice is used to add liquid and a burst of citrus flavor
  • Garlic: 2 garlic cloves are added for flavor, but feel free to add more!
  • Salt: a generous pinch of salt is added for flavor
  • Olive oil: adds a smooth liquid consistency and helps the avocado keep for longer so it doesn’t brown
  • Water: hot water is used to soak the cashews, then more is recommended if you want to thin the sauce
  • Recommended tools: mixing bowl, high-powered blender or food processor
avocados, lime juice, cashews, oil, garlic, and salt on a white table for avocado sauce
Ingredients: avocado, cashews, limes, olive oil, garlic, salt

๐Ÿฅฃ How to make (step-by-step photos)

1๏ธโƒฃ Step One: Soak cashews

First, soak the cashews in hot water to hydrate them and make them soft before making the sauce.

To do this, add the cashews to a small bowl and fill it with hot water until the cashews are covered. Then let the cashews soak at least 15 minutes, more for softer cashews.

After the cashews have soaked, drain them and set aside.

a glass mixing bowl with cashews soaking in hot water on a blue table
Soak cashews in hot water

2๏ธโƒฃ Step Two: Blend crema ingredients

After the cashews have soaked, add them to a blender or food processor with the avocado, lime juice, garlic cloves, olive oil, and a generous pinch of salt.

Then blend to combine until the ingredients are well mixed and the crema is soft and uniform.

avocado crema sauce inside a blender after mixing
Blend ingredients

3๏ธโƒฃ Step Three: Adjust crema consistency

Serve the thick crema as a dip or spread, or if you’d like a thinner crema sauce that you can drizzle then add a bit more water or oil until you reach the desired consistency.

a bowl of vegan avocado crema sauce on a white table with an avocado

โ“ Recipe questions + quick tips

How can you make an avocado crema sauce vegan?

Traditional avocado crema sauces are made with sour cream. To make a crema without the dairy, simply use a vegan sour cream or substitute it with soaked cashews and oil for a creamy consistency.

How can you make a vegan avocado crema oil-free?

While this recipe uses oil for a creamy consistency, you can make it oil-free by using water instead of oil. The crema will not last as long as the oil helps to keep the avocado from browning, so an oil-free version is best used when freshly made.

How can you make a vegan avocado crema without nuts?

While this recipe uses cashews to create a creamy consistency, you can make vegan avocado sauce nut-free by using vegan sour cream or by blending it with white beans. Or you can simply make a crema with avocado, lime juice, and water to keep it simple.


๐Ÿ’ก Ideas for serving

  • As a dip. Serve on the side of fajitas or bowls as a dip or thick sauce, like in this Tofu Fajita Bowl.
  • As a spread. Use as a spread in place of avocados on toast, pitas, or sandwiches, like this Arugula Avocado Toast.
  • As a drizzling sauce. Thin out the dip to make it easy to drizzle on top of tacos or nachos, like on this Chili Lime Cauliflower Tacos.

๐ŸงŠ How to store

  1. Refrigerator storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, drizzling a small amount of olive oil on top of the sauce to reduce browning from the avocado.
  2. Freezer storage: I do not recommend freezing this sauce as the consistency will not keep after thawing.
a bowl of green avocado and cashew sauce on a white table

๐Ÿ‘‰ More avocado sauce and dip recipes

Want more recipes with avocado? Try this Vegan Green Goddess Avocado Dip.

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Get my 4-Day Plant-Based Meal Plan to start your journey on the plant path.

a bowl of vegan avocado crema sauce on a white table with an avocado

Vegan Avocado Crema Sauce

Kristina Todini, RDN
Vegan Avocado Crema Sauce, a simple plant-based take on avocado cream sauce using lime juice and cashews for a creamy consistency. Super easy and mega tasty!
5 star (1 rating)
Prep Time 10 minutes
Soaking Time 15 minutes
Course Sauces, Dressings + Dips
Cuisine Gluten Free, Mexican-Inspired, Vegan
Servings 16 servings
Calories 96 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 mixing bowl
  • 1 high powered blender or food processor

Ingredients
  

  • โ…“ cup raw cashews
  • โ…” cup hot water
  • 1 large ripe avocado about 1 cup
  • ¼ cup lime juice from about 3 limes
  • 2 single garlic cloves
  • 1 pinch salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ cup olive oil plus more as need for consistency
  • Optional: additional water or oil to thin sauce, as desired

Instructions
 

  • Soak cashews: First, soak the cashews in hot water to hydrate them and make them soft before making the sauce. To do this, add the cashews to a small bowl and fill it with hot water until the cashews are covered. Then let sit at least 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
    โ…“ cup raw cashews, โ…” cup hot water
  • Blend crema ingredients: After the cashews have soaked, add them to a blender or food processor with the avocado, lime juice, garlic cloves, olive oil, and a generous pinch of salt. Then blend to combine until the ingredients are well mixed and the crema is soft and uniform.
    โ…“ cup raw cashews, 1 large ripe avocado, ¼ cup lime juice, 2 single garlic cloves, 1 pinch salt and pepper, ½ cup olive oil
  • Adjust crema consistency: Serve the thick crema as a dip or spread, or if you’d like a thinner crema sauce that you can drizzle then add a bit more water or oil until you reach the desired consistency.
    Optional: additional water or oil

Notes

  • Make ahead: This crema sauce is best when fresh, but can be store for up to 3-4 days and used later. Freezing is not recommended.
  • Leftovers and storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, drizzling a small amount of olive oil on top of the sauce to reduce browning from the avocado.
  • Nutrition notes: Nutrition information is an estimate and does not include optional ingredients. This recipe uses only plant-based ingredients, which makes it suitable for vegan diets. It is also gluten free.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 96kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 84mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.3gVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 0.3mg
Keyword vegan avocado crema, vegan sauce
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