How to Make Smoky Red Pepper Crema

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Smoky red pepper crema pairs well with a wide range of foods and has a rich, smokey flavor. You can use it as a topping for mashed potatoes, a spread on sandwiches, a pasta sauce, or even a dip for your tacos, dip tortilla chips. This incredibly versatile condiment will become your new favorite dipping sauce!

Quick Meal Facts About Smoky Red Pepper Crema

Prep Time

20 minutes

Cooking Time

40 minutes

Cooling Time

15 minutes

Total Time

1 hour 15 minutes

Ease of Cooking

The recipe is easy to follow, and you don’t need any kitchen experience to prepare it.

Servings

16 tablespoons

Course

Condiment

Cuisine

American/ Mexican

Ingredients

To make this delicious smoky roasted red pepper crema, you only need to blend together simple ingredients you can find at your local grocery store. This dish’s standout ingredient is red bell pepper, which adds some sweetness to the sauce. You can also adjust how spicy your cream is based on your preference to create an irresistible final product.

These ingredients for this crema recipe are available in most grocery stores:

2 red bell peppers
½ cup sour cream

¼ cup mayo
1 tbsp smoked paprika
½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp salt
Lemon juice/lime juice (optional for extra flavor)
1 tbsp olive oil

Equipment Needed

Mixing bowls
Baking sheet
Blender or food processor

Cooking Method

Preheat your oven to 375°F
Place the bell peppers on a baking sheet, coat them in oil, and roast for 40 minutes
Turn the bell peppers for even cooking

Take the roasted red peppers out of the oven, put them in a bowl while they’re still hot, and then cover the bowl with plastic wrap
Let the roasted red bell peppers 10-15 minutes to cool
Remove the seeds, stems, and skin from the bell peppers and cut them into slices with a sharp knife

Dry the roasted peppers with kitchen paper
Blend the red peppers with the remaining ingredients into a food processor until they’re completely smooth or reach your desired consistency
Adjust the seasoning based on your preference

Serving Suggestions

This smoky red pepper crema makes a great accompaniment to fish, chicken breast, steaks, or any other main dish. It also works well as a smoky red pepper pasta sauce. It’s also a fantastic way to give simple dishes like beans or rice an extra kick of flavor.

You can add this versatile sauce and condiment to carnitas, fajitas, tacos, and various Mexican or American dishes. It is so adaptable that it pairs well with everything, from french fries to pasta dishes, roasted potatoes, or other vegetables.

How to Store Smoky Sed Pepper Crema

It is generally suggested to consume the smoked red pepper crema within 5 days as it’s made with fresh ingredients, so it won’t last long. Put your smoky red pepper crema in an airtight jar or container, as air will make it spoil faster. Store the sauce in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Unfortunately, the dairy component of this crema prevents it from freezing successfully, as its flavor and texture will be affected.

Nutritional Information

1 tablespoon (15g) of smoky red pepper crema made by following this easy recipe has approximately 45 kcal.

How Can I Tweak the Smoky Red Pepper Crema?

Even though you can find a canned smoky red pepper crema in the Mexican section of your grocery store, fresh tastes always taste better! It’s not that it’s only healthier, but you can adjust your sauce to suit your preference for smokiness, sweetness, or spiciness by experimenting with herbs, spices, and seasonings that you like.

For example, if you want to make the smoky red pepper crema spicier, just add white pepper, cayenne pepper, chili powder, or hot sauce.

You can also adjust the consistency of your smoky red pepper crema depending on the dish you’re using it for. For instance, a pasta sauce or dressing could have a slightly thinner consistency than a dip. If the consistency is too thick, you can add either vegetable stock or a splash of water to thin out the crema and make it a smooth, creamy sauce.

Health Benefits

Making this smoky red pepper crema recipe at home is definitely a healthier option than purchasing a store-bought product. Also, you can adjust the spiciness in case you have any sensitivity to spicy food. Red bell peppers are known for boosting the immune system, reducing inflammation in the body, and improving digestion.

This sauce can add a lot of flavor by mixing only simple and fresh ingredients.

FAQs

Can the smoked red pepper crema be made vegan?

Yes it is possible to make the smoky red pepper crema vegan by substituting the sour cream and mayonnaise with vegan ones.

Is this the smoky red pepper crema sauce gluten-free?

Yes this recipe is gluten-free.

Is it possible to make the smoky red pepper crema with fewer calories?

Of course it is, just use light mayo and fat free sour cream for this recipe.

Conclusion

This easy-to-make smoky red pepper crema recipe can transform any dish, it just makes it amazing! This healthy, packed with flavor, yet budget friendly recipe can elevate any dish. It will be your favorite recipe of your friends & family!