This Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce is the kind of zippy, vibrant condiment you’ll want to drizzle on absolutely everything. With its silky texture, invigorating cilantro flavor, and just the right amount of jalapeño heat, it’s guaranteed to become your new go-to green sauce for tacos, grilled meats, salads, or even as a dip for chips and veggies!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bold, Bright Flavor: Every bite bursts with tangy lime, fresh herbs, and the subtle kick of jalapeño—truly a sauce that wakes up anything it touches!
- Effortless to Make: Everything whips up in five minutes with just a single spin in the food processor and no cooking required.
- Versatile & Crowd-Pleasing: This Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce brightens tacos, grilled veggies, meats, salads, or simply works as a fabulous dip.
- Gorgeous Color & Creamy Texture: That vibrant green hue instantly upgrades your table, while the luscious creaminess keeps everyone coming back for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce is all in its simplicity—every ingredient adds something essential, from vivid color to irresistible flavor and texture. Here’s how each element comes together to make magic in just one whirl of your food processor:
- Jalapeño: Seeded for just the right tingle of heat—feel free to leave in a few seeds for extra spice if you love a kick!
- Garlic: Two fresh cloves infuse the sauce with pungency and depth; skip the jarred stuff here for the brightest flavor.
- Fresh Cilantro Leaves: One packed cup delivers grassy, citrusy, “green” vibrancy—make sure your leaves are fresh and perky for the best color.
- Mayonnaise: This is the secret to ultra-creamy texture and a gentle savory backdrop; Duke’s gives a nice tang, but your favorite will work fine.
- Fresh Lime Juice: Balances the richness and brings out every other flavor—use freshly squeezed juice for maximum zing.
Variations
The best part about making Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce at home? You’re totally in charge! You can easily tweak the flavors to match your mood, your heat tolerance, or whatever you’ve got in your fridge—here are some tasty ways to make it your own:
- Make it Lighter: Substitute Greek yogurt or sour cream for some (or all) of the mayo if you want a tangier, lower-calorie version.
- Turn Up the Heat: Add an extra jalapeño or leave some seeds in if you’re craving more spice, or swap in a serrano for an even bolder kick.
- Try Other Herbs: Toss in a handful of fresh parsley or mint for a different twist, or add some scallions for extra green goodness.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use vegan mayo so everyone at the table can enjoy this irresistible green sauce.
How to Make Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce
Step 1: Prep Your Jalapeño
Start by giving your jalapeño a good rinse, then stem, halve, and carefully scoop out the seeds and membrane (unless you love things on the extra spicy side, in which case leave a few seeds in!). This quick prep keeps all the vibrant pepper flavor while making the sauce more universally crowd-pleasing.
Step 2: Blend Everything Together
Add the prepped jalapeño, garlic cloves, fresh cilantro leaves, mayonnaise, and fresh lime juice straight into the bowl of your food processor. Pulse and then blend until completely smooth and creamy, pausing to scrape down the sides as needed so every bit gets combined. That’s it—your Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce is ready to use!
Pro Tips for Making Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce
- Super Smooth Texture: Blend for a minute or two longer than you think necessary—this ensures the cilantro is fully incorporated and the sauce becomes luxuriously silky.
- Cilantro Selection: Use both leaves and tender stems, since they pack big flavor and gorgeous color (just avoid the thick, woody ends).
- Taste & Adjust: After your first blend, give it a little taste—add extra lime for more zing, more mayo if you crave mellow richness, or another garlic clove for a bolder bite.
- Chill for Best Flavor: If you can wait, refrigerate the sauce for 30 minutes so the flavors mingle and it thickens up beautifully for dipping and drizzling!
How to Serve Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce
Garnishes
Add the finishing touch by sprinkling a little extra chopped cilantro, thinly sliced jalapeño, or a few cracks of black pepper on top for color and freshness. For a pop of zesty aroma, try a swirl of lime zest just before serving.
Side Dishes
This green sauce is phenomenally versatile—toss it with roasted potatoes or vegetable platters, spoon it over grilled chicken or fish, or serve it alongside tacos, nachos, or even grain bowls for a perky flavor lift. It transforms simple rice or beans into something craveable!
Creative Ways to Present
Pour the Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce into a cute little pitcher or drizzle bottles for guests to help themselves. It’s also gorgeous as a vivid swirl over hummus or a dip platter, or dotted artistically across composed salads for a restaurant-worthy touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce in a tightly sealed jar or container in the fridge. It stays fresh, green, and totally delicious for up to five days—perfect for make-ahead meals or snacking all week.
Freezing
You can freeze this sauce if you’d like, but be aware that the texture may change slightly since mayonnaise can sometimes separate after thawing. For best results, pulse to re-emulsify before serving, and freeze in small portions for easy use.
Reheating
This sauce is meant to be served cold or at room temperature—just give it a good stir or shake when you’re ready to use again. If it thickens a bit in the fridge, add a tiny splash of lime juice or water to loosen it up.
FAQs
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Can I make this Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce without a food processor?
Absolutely! A high-powered blender works beautifully. If you don’t have either, finely chop all the ingredients by hand and whisk together for a rustic, textured version (the flavors will still be fantastic).
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What other dishes can I use this green sauce for?
This sauce turns grilled meats, fish, roasted veggies, grain bowls, sandwiches, and wraps into something truly special. It’s also amazing as a dip for fries, chicken tenders, or tortilla chips at your next party.
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How spicy is this Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce?
It’s on the milder side when you remove the jalapeño seeds, with just a gentle warmth. If you prefer more heat, simply add a second pepper or keep some seeds in when blending.
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Can I substitute the mayo in this recipe?
Definitely! Full-fat Greek yogurt or sour cream both work well, and vegan mayo is a great option for a dairy-free or egg-free version. Each will give a slightly different texture and tang, so use whichever you prefer.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for an easy way to make meals pop with color and flavor, you’ve found your answer in Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce. I can’t wait for you to try this in your own kitchen—it’s seriously addictive and always a crowd-pleaser. Let me know what you drizzle it on first!
Print
Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Food Processor
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce is a vibrant and flavorful condiment that pairs perfectly with grilled meats, tacos, or as a dip. The combination of spicy jalapeño, aromatic garlic, fresh cilantro, and tangy lime juice creates a versatile sauce that will elevate any dish.
Ingredients
Jalapeño:
- 1 jalapeño
Garlic:
- 2 cloves garlic
Cilantro:
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
Mayonnaise:
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
Lime Juice:
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Stem, halve, and seed the jalapeño.
Add the jalapeño, garlic, cilantro, mayonnaise, and lime juice to the bowl of a food processor.
Process: Process until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 115mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
