Creamy Cilantro Lime Garlic Sauce for Tacos

AMAZING Cilantro Lime Sauce is fresh, vibrant, full of flavor and delicious in all your Tacos, Chicken, Shrimp or Fish – It is creamy, spicy from jalapeños, tangy, with a hint of garlic and elevates any taco recipe!

Check out other popular dinner ideas for your next taco night like Tacos with Frozen Fish Sticks, Chickpea Tacos, Ground Chicken with taco seasoning, Cauliflower Tacos or Vegetarian Lettuce wraps.

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It is a taco night.

We love taco nights – Chicken tacos, Fish tacos, Shrimp tacos or Potato Tacos -It is a clean plate club (borrowing this from one of my favorite Youtube cooking show – Binging with Babish)

Tacos are delicious, customizable and you get to eat with your hands. How fun! We paired this sauce with our Spicy Chickpea lettuce cups at one of our Holiday party and it was polished off in a matter of minutes —> SO SO GOOD!

Why is this the best?

This recipe has been a reader favorite since it was published. Well, we are not surprised! It is Creamy, Spicy, Tangy, Garlicky and is delicious enjoyed in so many ways. Even if you are not a fan of cilantro, then we humbly request you to give this a try.

It comes together easily in a blender or food processor in just 5 minutes, keeps well in the refrigerator and perfect as a dipping sauce / dressing / taco sauce.

We recommend blending it chunky and not smooth – It adds texture, flavor and maintain a white color with specs of green! However, if you would like it super creamy and green, go ahead and blend it until desired consistency is reached!

Sauce or Dressing?

A dressing is a type of sauce used mainly for salads, typically made with oil and vinegar mixed together with herbs or other flavorings. Whereas a sauce is a thick liquid served usually with savory dishes to add moistness and flavor. This recipe can be served as both a salad dressing and a sauce.

Is this ZHOUG?

Also known as zhug or skhug, it is a type of cilantro sauce originating in Yemen. Zhoug has gained popularity across Middle East, drizzled over falafels. It is made with cilantro, chili peppers, garlic, olive oil and spices.

It does not contain any dairy or mayonnaise, so it does not have that “Creamy factor”. Trader Joe’s carries this sauce in the refrigerate section and it has been one of our favorite Trader Joe’s products.

Cilantro Nutrition

Also known as coriander, it contains vitamins A, C, and K, and the leaves also have folate, potassium, and manganese.

Cilantro Lime Sauce for tacos –

• Fresh
• Spicy
• Sour
• Creamy
• Garlicky
• No cooking
• Tastes amazing

Ingredients:

Sour cream – Full fat or reduced fat is good. If you want to make it touch healthier, then use half plain greek yogurt and half sour cream

Mayonnaise – Essential for a creamy cilantro lime sauce

Cilantro – Fresh, washed and patted dry

Jalapeños – Use as much or as little as you like. You could remove seeds if you like it less spicy.

Garlic – 1 to 3 garlic cloves

Lime juice – Freshly squeezed

Salt – as required

How to make Cilantro Lime Sauce for Tacos?

It is a super easy recipe!

Add all ingredients into a food processor and process until ALMOST finely ground (It is best when you are able to still see the tiny cilantro pieces )

Done and DONE.

This is a basic cilantro lime dressing for tacos without avocado and if you make a lot of Mexican foods like us, then this is gonna be one of your favorite just like the Avocado Jalapeño Crema or pico de gallo.

Expert tips

Spiciness – We used whole jalapeño pepper (along with the seeds and ribs) but, you can remove the seeds for a less spicy cilantro lime dressing.

Cilantro – Use cilantro with stems. It adds nutrition and texture!

Garlic – The flavor of garlic compliments the creamy sauce adding a touch of zing. However, too much garlic will overpower the taste. So, we recommend using not more than 2 large cloves.

Lime juice – Use fresh lime juice and not bottled ones.

Use greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a healthier twist.

How to wash cilantro? Rinse cilantro under running water and place in a colander to drain excess water. Coarsely chop (along with stems) and add into a blender.

When using a food processor, we recommend adding cilantro and chopped jalapeños first before adding mayo and sour cream. This ensures that it doesn’t get stuck and runs smoothly.

How to serve?

The options are endless –

1. Drizzle in your chicken tacos, shrimp tacos and fish tacos.
2. Spread as a dressing on your burgers and top with avocados for a Mexican flare.
3. Great in your burrito bowls.
4. As a dip with spicy chips, carrot sticks and cucumber slices.
5. As a spicy dressing for your salads.
6. In lettuce wraps.
7. Spice up your grill game – Serve with your favorite grilled meats.
8. Drizzled on your main course like chicken, fish or shrimp.

Make a Creamy Cilantro Dip

Finely chop cilantro, garlic and jalapeños using a food processor or by hand then transfer to a bowl. Mix in mayo, sour cream, lime juice and salt with a spoon.

How long does the sauce keep?

Refrigerate in an air tight container for 3 to 4 days.

What do you need to make this sauce?

It can be made using any of the following-

• Regular food processor
• Mini food processor
• Nutri Bullet
• Vitamix
• Any blender

When you are using a mini food processor (like the one shown in our photos), try processing in two batches.

Make without a blender / processor

Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream and lime juice in a bowl. Stir in finely chopped cilantro, jalapeños and grated garlic and mix by hand. The sauce won’t be as smooth, but the flavor is the same!

Substitution ideas

Use vegan free mayo like Just Mayo or Sir Kensington’s Vegan Mayo.

Use greek yogurt or plain thick yogurt instead of sour cream.

Use lemon juice instead of limes.

More no-cook recipes: Almond Butter Bars, Chocolate Almond Butter Overnight Oats, Chickpea Salad, Chocolate Hummus, Rotisserie Chicken Salad Sandwich, Date and Almond Candy, Cashew Mint Chutney and Chicken Taco Seasoning.

More Mexican Food

• Chicken Rice Bowl
• Air Fryer Chicken Tacos
• Cheesy Instant Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice
• Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
• Mexican Spiced Chicken
• Chickpea Burrito Bowl
• Chickpea Lettuce wraps
• Spicy Chicken Ranch Quesadilla

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