Cilantro Lime Sauce is a delicious creamy sauce made in just 5 minutes with 8 ingredients and a blender or a food processor. It’s perfect for my taco nights or any time I want to jazz up any meal.
Sauces can really amp up the flavor of your dishes. Here are two more that I love: tiger sauce recipe and my baja sauce recipe.
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Why this Cilantro Lime Sauce Recipe is a Keeper
I love this delish recipe because not only is it quick and easy, it’s also incredibly delicious and versatile. It’s so good on anything you will have to find your favorite way to use it. It will become a go-to sauce recipe.
- 5 Minute Recipe: This recipe is quick and easy, and you’ll love to eat it on everything.
- Simple Ingredients: It uses common ingredients you often have on hand.
- Delicious Flavor: The dish tastes amazing and is a hit every time and on anything.
- Versatile: The recipe can be easily adapted or customized to suit different tastes.
What Can I Use Cilantro Lime Sauce for?
Try this tangy dipping sauce as a dip with chips or a delicious dressing on sandwiches or burrito bowls. It can also turn grilled chicken into cilantro lime chicken.
Pro Tip to Make this Recipe
Don’t over-blend: Over-blending can make the sauce bitter. Blend just until smooth.
Ingredient Notes and Variation Suggestions to Make Cilantro Lime Crema
All of the required ingredients are easy to find at the store, but you may even have some of them in your kitchen already. Feel free use different ingredients to substitute or experiment with flavors.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Fresh Cilantro: Fresh cilantro is best for this easy cilantro lime sauce.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is also best in any simple sauce recipe.
- Avocado: Avocado is going to give your sauce that perfect creamy texture.
- VARIATION: Spicy Cilantro Lime Sauce: Add jalapeño, serrano, or other chili peppers.
- Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce: Add more plain Greek yogurt, sour cream, or avocado for a creamy texture.
- Thin Cilantro Lime Dressing: Thin the sauce with more lime juice or water for a salad dressing.
- Herb Variations: Try this cilantro lime sauce with other herbs like parsley, mint, or even a little dill for a different flavor profile.
- Garlic Cilantro Lime Sauce: Add a clove or two of garlic for extra flavor.
- Ginger Cilantro Lime Sauce: A touch of fresh ginger adds a nice zing.
- Vegan Cilantro Lime Sauce: Use a plant-based yogurt or sour cream alternative.
Special Equipment Needed for Cilantro Lime Dressing
A specific piece of equipment can sometimes make all the difference in a recipe. For this recipe, you will need a food processor.
- Food Processor: Use a blender or food processor to quickly and easily make this salad dressing recipe.
How to Make Lime Cilantro Sauce for Tacos
This zesty cilantro lime recipe comes together in just 1 super easy step. This cilantro lime aioli is so delicious, it’ll become your new favorite sauce that you’ll make again and again.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Blend Sauce Ingredients: Add all of the ingredients to a food processor and blend until smooth.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for 5-Minute Cilantro Lime Sauce
Preparing steps of a recipe ahead of time can be the best way to go. Make a recipe in advance to be able to enjoy it whenever you’d like.
- Juice the Limes: You can juice the limes ahead of time and store the juice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Chopped Cilantro: You can chop the cilantro ahead of time, but it’s best to do this as close to using it as possible as it can wilt. Store it in a damp paper towel in a plastic bag in the fridge.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Zesty Cilantro Lime Sauce
- Storing: Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container or jar in the fridge
- Reheating: No need to reheat the sauce as it’s made cold anyway. However, if you really want it warm, you can heat on the stove or in the microwave.
- Using Leftovers: Enjoy a drizzle on cole slaw, nachos, a chicken salad or with grilled veggies.
Common Questions About This Recipe
You can try using an emulsifier to help your sauce not separate.
Thin your sauce with a little extra water or lime juice. Thicken your sauce with some more cilantro and avocado.
Add a variation of chili peppers or seasonings to make this sauce spicier.
Expert Tips for this Making Cilantro Lime Creama Recipe
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh cilantro and limes are essential for the best flavor.
- Taste Test: Adjust the lime juice, salt, and other seasonings to your preference.
- Use a Good Blender or Processor: This will ensure a smooth and creamy sauce.
- Citrus Zest: Lime or lemon zest adds a lot of flavor. Add a teaspoon or two to the sauce.
- Serve With: Use this sauce as a taco sauce for your favorite fish tacos, turkey tacos or steak tacos.
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Cilantro Lime Sauce
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Ingredients
- 1 cup Fresh cilantro
- 1 clove Garlic, chopped
- ½ Avocado, peeled and pitted
- ½ cup Sour Cream, can also use Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup Fresh lime juice, about 1 lime
- ¼ cup Olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Honey
- 1 teaspoon All Purpose Seasoning
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a food processor.
- Pulse until smooth.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided are estimates. It is recommended that you verify this information with your own trusted resource.
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This recipe is my personal adaption of an ethnic-inspired recipe. It is not intended to be an authentic recipe. I’ve recreated this recipe because I enjoy the flavors and I want to encourage my readers to expand their tastes and try new flavor combinations. The recipe, ingredients, and processes may have been adapted to make the recipe accessible to the average American. I have provided links to authentic versions of the recipe in the post above. I encourage you to visit these pages and learn more about the traditional version(s) of this recipe.