This Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce is about to become your new obsession! Velvety, tangy, punchy, and vibrantly green, it comes together in minutes and packs a bold flavor that instantly elevates everything from tacos to veggie bowls. If you love a dreamy, herby sauce with a hint of heat and a garlicky backbone, this is the one to put on everything—and then lick the spoon.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Explosion of Flavor: Every dollop is creamy, herbaceous, tangy, garlicky, and just a touch spicy—so every bite pops!
- Ridiculously Fast: It takes less than five minutes (literally!) from start to finish—you just toss everything in the food processor and blitz.
- Super Versatile: This sauce is magic on tacos, grilled meats, roasted veggies, salads, sandwiches, and so much more.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Both spice-lovers and those who usually shy away from heat will fall in love with the balanced kick and creamy richness in every spoonful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With only five simple, vibrant ingredients, this Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce comes together with zero fuss. Each one is essential—bringing freshness, body, tang, or just a little zip to keep your tastebuds wanting more.
- Jalapeño: Seed it for a gentle kick, or leave some seeds in if you crave extra heat. Fresh jalapeño gives that signature green color and lively zing.
- Garlic: Just two cloves pack in delicious savoriness—the flavor backbone of this sauce.
- Fresh cilantro leaves: Cilantro adds herby, citrusy brightness and gives the sauce its stunning, emerald hue.
- Mayonnaise (I love Duke’s): Mayonnaise is what makes this sauce rich, creamy, and silky. Duke’s brings a little extra tang, but use your favorite.
- Fresh lime juice: Gives the sauce its fresh, tart lift and balances everything beautifully.
Variations
The beauty of this Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce is just how customizable it is! Think of it as your base and riff away—swap, add, or tweak ingredients to match your tastes, spice tolerance, or what you’ve got on hand.
- Make It Vegan: Substitute the mayonnaise with your favorite vegan mayo for a completely plant-based green sauce with all that luscious texture and flavor.
- Lower the Heat: Use only half a jalapeño or swap it for a milder pepper if spice isn’t your thing.
- Boost the Brightness: Try adding a handful of fresh parsley or a touch of extra lime juice for more vibrant, zippy notes.
- Extra Garlic Punch: If you’re serious about garlic, toss in an extra clove for even more aromatic power.
How to Make Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce
Step 1: Prep Your Produce
Start by washing your cilantro and patting it dry. Remove the stems from your jalapeño, then cut it in half lengthwise and use a spoon to gently scrape out the seeds if you prefer a milder sauce. Give the garlic cloves a quick peel. Fresh, dry cilantro and de-seeded jalapeño make the flavors pop without watering down the sauce.
Step 2: Blend Until Creamy Dreamy
Place the jalapeño, garlic, cilantro leaves, mayonnaise, and fresh lime juice into the bowl of your food processor. Now, pulse until everything is fully combined and silky smooth, stopping once or twice to scrape down the sides. That’s it—just blend until that gorgeous, creamy green magic appears!
Step 3: Taste and Adjust
Give your Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce a taste. Want a little more heat? Add in some jalapeño seeds. Is it missing some zip? A tiny squeeze of extra lime juice will brighten it up. A pinch of salt (if you wish) enhances the flavor, so don’t be afraid to balance it to your taste.
Pro Tips for Making Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce
- Fresh Herbs Matter: Always use fresh cilantro for that unmistakable vibrant aroma and gorgeous color—wilty herbs just won’t do this sauce justice!
- Control the Heat: If you want the flavor without the fire, carefully remove all seeds and ribs from your jalapeño. For more kick, leave some or all in!
- Smoothest Texture: Scrape down the bowl of your processor a couple of times to ensure every leaf and bit of garlic is fully blended for the dreamiest, creamiest sauce.
- Make It Ahead: This sauce keeps well—prepare it up to 2 days in advance so you’re ready for tacos, snacks, or impromptu guests.
How to Serve Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce
Garnishes
This sauce is a showstopper all on its own, but for a little extra *wow*, pop a small sprig of cilantro or a thin slice of jalapeño on top. Try scattering diced red onion or a finishing dusting of smoked paprika for color contrast and more interest—you’ll make it feel special with almost zero effort.
Side Dishes
Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce transforms everything it touches. Drizzle over grilled chicken, salmon, steak, or shrimp; dollop onto tacos and burrito bowls; or use as a dip for roasted veggies, fries, or even tortilla chips. It’s especially dreamy with roasted potatoes or on the side of fresh grain salads.
Creative Ways to Present
Pour your green sauce into a little bowl or ramekin and set it at the center of a snack platter—it practically begs for people to dip. For an elegant touch, swirl it onto plates before topping with roasted veggies or grilled meats. Or, transfer it to a squeeze bottle and zig-zag it over tacos and nachos for pure chef vibes!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce in an airtight container in the fridge. The flavors continue to meld and intensify, and it’ll stay bright and fresh for up to 3 days—so it’s perfect to prep ahead for busy weeks!
Freezing
This creamy sauce is best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze it in a pinch. Portion into ice cube trays, freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag for up to a month. Thaw in the fridge overnight and give it a vigorous stir before serving—the texture may be just a bit looser after thawing.
Reheating
No heating required—just give it a good stir! If it’s been in the fridge for a couple days and has thickened, you can whisk in a few drops of water or lime juice to freshen it up. Always taste for seasoning before serving again.
FAQs
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Can I make Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce without a food processor?
Absolutely! You can use a blender, an immersion blender, or even a mini-chopper. If you go old school with a mortar and pestle, just chop everything as finely as possible first for the smoothest result.
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Is this green sauce very spicy?
Your personal heat level depends on how many jalapeño seeds you leave in. Seed the pepper for a milder, family-friendly kick, or keep more seeds if you want extra spice. It’s super easy to adapt!
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Can I use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise?
Yes—a thick, plain Greek yogurt works beautifully if you’d like a tangier, lighter sauce. It will have a slightly different flavor and texture but is still amazing with all the other ingredients.
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How can I prevent the sauce from turning bitter?
Make sure to use only tender cilantro leaves and avoid large stems, which can add bitterness. Always taste after blending and add a dash of lime juice if you want to brighten it up or cut any bitterness!
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re as excited as I am to whip up this vibrant Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce! It’s the kind of recipe you’ll find yourself making on repeat—for everything from weeknight dinners to special gatherings. Give it a try, have fun with variations, and don’t forget to let me know how you use yours!
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: Condiment
- Method: Food Processor
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce is a zesty and flavorful condiment that pairs perfectly with grilled meats, tacos, or as a dipping sauce. The combination of fresh cilantro, spicy jalapeño, and zesty lime creates a vibrant and creamy 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 (I like Duke’s)
Lime Juice:
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Prep 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: 120
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 8mg
