Vegan Cilantro-Lime Creme

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This Vegan Cilantro Lime Crema is a delicious and creamy addition to your favorite Mexican dishes. It’s made with cashews for a thick and creamy texture and is spiced with cilantro, lime, and nutritional yeast for a flavorful kick. Perfect for topping your nachos, tacos, tostadas, burrito bowls and more.

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Key Takeaways:

Vegan and Creamy: This Vegan Cilantro Lime Crema is made with cashews for a rich, creamy texture without dairy.
Flavorful Kick: The crema is spiced with fresh cilantro, lime, and nutritional yeast, offering a tangy and savory flavor.
Versatile Use: Perfect for topping nachos, tacos, burrito bowls, tostadas, and more.
Nutrient-Rich: Cilantro, a key ingredient, has potential medicinal properties that may help reduce seizure activity due to its potassium channel-activating compounds.
Quick Tip: If you’re short on time, skip the overnight soaking of cashews by blending them with water in a high-speed blender.
Easy to Make: With just a few ingredients, this crema is quick and simple to prepare, making it a go-to addition for any Mexican dish.

Overview

If you’re craving a bold, creamy topping to elevate your favorite Mexican dishes—without the dairy—this Vegan Cilantro Lime Crema is your new go-to. Made with raw cashews, fresh cilantro, tangy lime juice, and a dash of nutritional yeast, this plant-based sauce blends together into a luxuriously smooth crema that packs both flavor and nutrients. Whether you’re topping tacos, drizzling over burrito bowls, or layering onto nachos, it’s a versatile addition that transforms every bite. Not only is it easy to whip up with minimal ingredients, but it also includes an exciting Neuro Nutrition Nugget—research shows cilantro may have natural anticonvulsant properties due to its effect on potassium channels in the brain. That means you’re not just adding taste, you’re adding potential health benefits too. With quick tips for busy days and optional spicy add-ins like Sriracha, this recipe is as flexible as it is flavorful.

SIS: Simple Is Smart Tip:

If you don’t have time to soak the cashews overnight, blend them with 1/2 cup of water in a powerful blender like a Vita-mix or Blend-Tec. Then add the rest of the ingredients and blend them in.

Neuro Nutrition Nugget:

“We discovered that cilantro, which has been used as a traditional anticonvulsant medicine, activates a class of potassium channels in the brain to reduce seizure activity.” says Geoffrey Abbot, Ph.D., Professor of Physiology and Biophysics.

This is exciting news for cilantro lovers! Recent research has shown that cilantro, a popular herb used in many dishes, has the potential to be used as an anti-convulsant. The researchers found that a component of cilantro called dodecenal has the ability to bind to a specific part of the potassium channels, which in turn opens them and reduces cellular excitability.

This discovery may lead to the development of safer and more effective anticonvulsant drugs. The fact that cilantro could have medicinal properties is truly remarkable. For years, cilantro has been known for its culinary uses, but this new research takes it to a whole new level.

The ability of dodecenal to reduce cellular excitability is a significant discovery in the treatment of seizures and other neurological disorders. The fact that this discovery could lead to the development of more effective anticonvulsant drugs is exciting news for those who suffer from these conditions.

Ingredients for Vegan Cilantro Lime Creme:

Cashews: Use raw unsalted cashews
Nutritional Yeast: Nutritional yeast is an inactivated version of the yeast you use to make bread. It has an earthy, umami flavor to it.
Lime: Squeeze a fresh lime.
Cilantro: You will need two generous handfuls of Fresh Cilantro. Cut the stems off at the point where the leaves start. Use the rest of the stalk.
Water: Freshwater, either tap or bottled.
Siracha or Green Dragon Sauce: optional but adds a delicious zing to this sauce.

Step by Step Instructions for Vegan Cilantro Lime Creme:

Cover the cashews with water and soak them overnight.
Drain the water off of the cashews and add them to the blender jar of a Vitamix, Blendtec, or Ninja.
Add all of the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth.
Serve with your favorite Mexican foods like Quinoa Taco’s or Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos.

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FAQ:

Can I use any kind of cashews for this recipe?

It’s best to use raw, unsalted cashews for this recipe to achieve the creamy texture and avoid any added flavors that could interfere with the crema’s taste.

Do I have to soak the cashews overnight?

Soaking the cashews overnight helps soften them for a smoother texture, but if you’re in a hurry, you can blend them with water in a high-powered blender like a Vitamix or Blendtec to achieve the same effect.

What is nutritional yeast and why is it used in this recipe?

Nutritional yeast is an inactivated yeast with a savory, umami flavor, often used in vegan cooking to add depth and a cheesy taste without dairy.

Can I make this crema without cilantro?

While cilantro is a key ingredient for flavor, you could experiment with other herbs like parsley or basil for a different taste. However, the signature flavor of cilantro will be missing.

Is the Siracha or Green Dragon sauce necessary?

The Siracha or Green Dragon sauce adds a spicy kick, but it’s optional. Feel free to omit or adjust the amount to suit your spice preference.

What are the health benefits of cilantro in this recipe?

Cilantro contains a compound called dodecenal, which has been shown to potentially activate potassium channels in the brain, reducing seizure activity and offering promise for the development of anticonvulsant medications.

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