This Cilantro Lime Sauce is unbelievably addicting! Made in under 5 minutes it is creamy, spicy, tangy with a subtle bite from garlic, full of flavor and elevates any Mexican dish!
A 5 minute cilantro lime sauce that has become the essential sauce of this blog. Loaded with cilantro, garlic, jalapeño, lime juice, sour cream, mayo and salt, it might be my favorite sauce, dressing, dip -> you name it.
It is compatible with almost everything from tacos, salads, burrito bowls, grilled chicken, steak or a dipping sauce for your veggies.
We loved this cilantro lime sauce on chickpea tacos and then repurposed into chickpea lettuce wraps, but its also amazing drizzled into the Mexican shrimp tacos. So awesome!
Is it 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 like this garlic yogurt sauce. This recipe can be served as both a salad dressing and a sauce.
If you are familiar with zhoug, a type of cilantro sauce originating in Yemen and has gained popularity across Middle East, does not contain any dairy or mayonnaise, so it's missing the creamy factor.
Also known as zhug or skhug, it is made using cilantro, chili peppers, garlic, olive oil and spices. Trader Joe's carries this in the refrigerate section and it has been one of our favorite Trader Joe's products.
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Why you'll love this sauce?
Featured comments
"I’ve been making this for years I call it “magic green sauce” it’s magic because it’s delicious on ANYTHING!!" - Teri
"We made it and 🤤 we used it as a dipping sauce for our sirloin! Thanks so much!!! Definitely will be keeping this recipe for the books" - Pina
It is got the kick from the jalapeño, tangy from sour cream and lime, thick enough yet perfect to be drizzled and the fresh cilantro shining all the way through.
Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
- Cilantro - Wash fresh cilantro and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel so there is no additional water that might thin down the cilantro lime sauce.
- Jalapeño - I'll let you be the judge here! We used 1 whole large jalapeño pepper. Go ahead and scrape out the seeds if you want to tone down the heat.
- Sour cream - We went all in with full fat sour cream for the ultimate creaminess. Few readers use plain greek yogurt and find it just as delicious.
- Mayonnaise - For subtle sweet flavor and bring home the thick creamy amazingness.
- Garlic - No you won't taste the raw garlic.
- Lime juice - Use freshly squeezed and not from a bottle.
Substitution & Variations
- Make into a cilantro dip - Chop cilantro, garlic and jalapeños very fine using a food processor or by hand and then transfer to a bowl. Mix in mayo, sour cream, lime juice and salt with a spoon.
- Make it vegan - Use vegan free mayo like Just Mayo or Sir Kensington’s Vegan Mayo and plant based sour cream.
- Like it healthier? Use plain greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- Add some ripe avocado for added color and flavor.
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Love Cilantro? Check out more cilantro recipes like instant pot cilantro lime rice or Mexican chickpeas.
How to make?
You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
Tip: Don't blend very smooth! You want to see green specks of cilantro running through the cilantro lime sauce.
How to store?
- In the refrigerator - In an air tight container for 3 to 4 days.
- In the freezer - This cilantro lime sauce can be frozen too! We like to store in single serve portions in freezer safe bags or sealed containers for up to a month. Leave at room temperature for about 30 minutes or up to an hour or thawed.
Serving suggestions?
Your possibilities are endless!
- Drizzle this cilantro lime sauce on your favorite taco recipes. We like it especially in our air fryer chicken tacos or potato tacos.
- Great in your ground chicken burrito bowl.
- Perfect to add freshness and zing with your grilled chicken, steak or veggies this summer.
- As a dip for your game day snack along with some tortilla chips or cucumber slices.
- As a spicy cilantro dressing for your lunch salad recipes.
Helpful tips
- Spiciness - We used whole jalapeño pepper (along with the seeds and ribs) but, you can remove the seeds for a less spicy dressing.
- Cilantro - Use coriander with stems. It adds nutrition and texture!
- Garlic - It compliments by adding a bite. However, too much garlic will overpower the taste. So, we recommend using not more than 1 or 2 large cloves.
- Lime juice - Use fresh lime juice and not bottled ones.
Recipe FAQs
Rinse under running water and place in a colander to drain excess water. Coarsely chop (along with stems) and add into a blender or food processor.
Sure can! 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. It won’t be as smooth, but the flavor is just as delish.
Use whatever you have access to. Regular size or mini food processor (process in two batches), Nutri Bullet, Vitamix or any other blender.
More sauce recipes
Cilantro Lime Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups cilantro lightly packed
- 1 cup Sour cream
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 jalapeno pepper, remove seeds if you'd like less spicy
- 1 large garlic clove
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a small food processor or blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Tip: Don't blend very smooth! You want to see green specks of cilantro running through the cilantro lime sauce.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
Did you make this recipe? I’d love your feedback! Please let me know by leaving a comment, a star rating or review below.
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Jayt
Great sauce! I used powdered garlic and omitted sour cream. It was delicious!
Maria Doss
Happy to hear that, Maria
Jo
Is it possible to can this sauce?
Maria Doss
Hmm... unfortunately, I don't think it would work for canning - Maria
Sophia
My whole family loved this !!! This will definitely become a staple sauce in my home. Thank you Maria !
Maria Doss
Glad you liked it hun, Maria
Pina
We made it and 🤤 we used it as a dipping sauce for our sirloin! Thanks so much!!! Definently will be keeping this recipe for the books
Maria Doss
Glad to hear hun, have a wonderful weekend - Maria
Sophia
It was a hit in my household ! My family loved it !! This is the third time I’ve made it. Thank you so much for the ingredients to create this delicious sauce ! 🤤
Renee
Hi Maria!
I am going to make this for a variety of dishes! So versatile! So fresh!
I suppose I can substitute the mayo and the sour cream with something else . . . But won’t because I love the recipe as written - dairy and all!
Thank you for sharing!
Maria Doss
Sounds good, have a great day - Maria
Dean
Great recipe! I have made this a dozen times and is a must to have in my fridge at all times. I do add a large Avocado and more peppers as I do like it hot.
Pamela Theiss
Yummy! I substituted Greek yogurt for the sour cream . I added 1/4 cup feta cheese instead of salt. I might try adding avocado next time with more jalapeño, as I like it spicy.
Thanks for the great recipe!
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear! So glad you love it hun – Maria ♡
Terrence Beneventi
Love the simplicity of the recipe. Felt like it needed some onion powder, but other than that, wifey loves it, and that's all I need!
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear! So glad you love it – Maria ♡
Janine Fowlds
Seriously, the BEST! Flavorful and creamy…we LOVE it. New favorite!
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear! So glad you love it – Maria ♡
Jessica
Hi! Made this recipe tonight. Very good! Will make it again, maybe with two jalapeños to spice it up more.
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear, so glad you loved it - Maria ♡
Fraser
Incredible!!! My husband and I crave this stuff and we base meals around it, which is easy as it’s amazing on everything. I especially love it on my huevos rancheros.
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear, so glad you loved it - Maria ♡
Tammi Boyer
I made this and added feta cheese. It is awesome!
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear, so glad you loved it - Maria ♡
Wanda Pucci
I don't usually comment on recipes, but I have to say, in a house full of picky granddaughters and a picky husband they all went crazy over this sauce and they want me to make it for lots of dishes that I make. Thank you so much for this amazing recipe.
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear - Maria ♡