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5-Minute Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce: The Best Zesty Dip for Tacos and Grills

A close-up of vibrant green, creamy cilantro lime sauce topped with fresh herbs in a small white bowl.
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Welcome to My Kitchen! I’m Carla Davis, and I created this incredibly easy, creamy cilantro lime sauce that comes together in just 5 minutes. Use this versatile green sauce as a zesty dip, a tangy salad dressing, or a marinade for chicken and fish. It brings fresh, Mexican-inspired flavor to any meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt (or substitute with sour cream or mayonnaise for richness)
  • 1 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: 1 small jalapeño, seeded (for a spicy cilantro lime topping)
  • Optional: 1/4 avocado (for extra creamy avocado cilantro crema)

Instructions

  1. Gather all your ingredients. If you are using jalapeño, remove the seeds and stem now.
  2. Place the Greek yogurt, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and any optional additions like jalapeño or avocado into a food processor or high-speed blender.
  3. Process or blend the ingredients until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy. Stop and scrape down the sides as needed.
  4. Taste the sauce. Add more salt or lime juice if you desire a tangier flavor.
  5. If the sauce is too thick for a dressing, add water one teaspoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
  6. Use this homemade condiment immediately as a taco sauce recipe, or cover and refrigerate for later use.

Notes

  • For a Vegan Cilantro Sauce Option, substitute the Greek yogurt with a plain, unsweetened vegan yogurt or cashew cream.
  • This sauce tastes best when made fresh, but you can make it ahead. It keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • If you want a thinner consistency for a salad dressing, thin it with a little water or extra lime juice.
  • To make this a Peruvian Green Sauce variation, add a small amount of cotija cheese or a pinch of cumin during blending.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://carlacooking.com/cilantro-lime-sauce-5-minute-creamy-dip/