This easy, creamy, and vibrant Jalapeño Cilantro Garlic Sauce is a total game changer in the kitchen. Made with just five ingredients, it’s a deliciously versatile condiment that can be used as a dip, a topping, or a dressing for nearly any dish. Whether you’re serving it on grilled meats, tacos, or even fries, you’ll find that this sauce is the perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and tangy—one batch, and you’ll be hooked!
Why You’ll Love This Jalapeño Cilantro Sauce:
- Quick and Easy: With just five ingredients and about five minutes, this recipe comes together effortlessly.
- Crave-Worthy: Once you try it, you’ll find yourself drizzling it on everything. From eggs to burgers, and tacos to veggies, it’s a flavor enhancer you won’t want to live without.
- Customizable: Adjust the heat level or make it vegan or paleo-friendly with simple substitutions.
- Versatile: Perfect for fish tacos, grilled meats, pizza, and even as a salad dressing or chip dip!
Ingredients:
- 1 bunch cilantro (stems and all)
- 1-2 limes, juiced
- 1-2 jalapeños, stemmed
- 5-10 cloves garlic
- 2 cups mayonnaise (Hellman’s or Duke’s preferred)
How To Make Jalapeño Cilantro Garlic Sauce:
- Combine Ingredients: Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender or food processor.
- Blend Until Smooth: Blend until the mixture is silky and creamy. Adjust the thickness with extra lime juice if needed.
- Serve and Enjoy: Pour the sauce into a squeeze bottle or a jar and serve it on everything!
Expert Tips:
- Blender vs. Food Processor: A high-speed blender like a Vitamix creates a super smooth, vibrant green sauce. A regular food processor or blender might leave some flecks, but it’s still just as tasty.
- Adjusting Spice Level: If you prefer less heat, remove the seeds and ribs from the jalapeños. For more kick, add extra jalapeños or experiment with spicier peppers like serrano or habanero.
- Storage: Keep the sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month. It will stay fresh thanks to the preservatives in the mayonnaise.
Serving Suggestions:
- Tacos: This sauce is a must-have for fish or shrimp tacos, elevating them with a creamy, spicy touch.
- Sandwiches & Wraps: Swap out your usual mayo for this zesty cilantro lime sauce on chicken or veggie sandwiches.
- Pizza: Forget ranch—drizzle this sauce over your pizza for a creamy, spicy boost.
- Dips: Serve it as a dip for fries, sweet potato fries, chips, or veggies. It’s perfect for all your favorite snacks!
- Salads: Thin it out with some extra lime juice and olive oil for a unique, creamy dressing.
Optional Variations:
- Vegan: Use a plant-based mayonnaise to make this sauce entirely vegan.
- Paleo/Whole30: Swap the mayo for avocado oil mayonnaise to keep it paleo or Whole30-friendly.
- Pollo Tropical Copycat: Mix half mayo and half sour cream or Greek yogurt for a creamy twist.
FAQ:
- Can I freeze this sauce? It’s not recommended to freeze this sauce, as the mayo can separate and change texture.
- What if I can’t find fresh limes? You can use bottled lime juice, like Nellie & Joe’s Famous Key West Lime Juice, as a substitute.
Conclusion:
This creamy, garlicky, spicy cilantro lime sauce will quickly become your go-to kitchen accessory. Its bright, fresh flavors will elevate nearly any meal, and its simplicity makes it easy to prepare again and again. Whether you’re using it as a dip, dressing, or topping, it’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Make a batch today and get ready to put it on everything!