Cilantro Jalapeño Sauce
This zesty Cilantro Jalapeño Sauce has made an appearance alongside our recipes for years. And it’s finally getting its own (and much deserved!) write up.
It’s perfect for tacos. It’s fantastic drizzled on burgers. And I truly believe that this sauce is the soulmate of sweet potato fries.
Key ingredients
- Cilantro: Did you know cilantro stems are full of flavor? Don’t just use the leaves in this recipe!
- Jalapeño: I use one jalapeño and never remove the seeds. For a bit less spice, deseed the jalapeño before adding it to the blender.
- Mayo and sour cream: This is the base of our creamy cilantro jalapeño sauce. I use a 1:1 ratio, but feel free to experiment.
- Lime juice: Lime juice adds a little extra tang. You can add a bit of lime zest if you want to up the citrusy notes.
- Garlic: The recipe calls for just one clove. But if you want to add two or three or five we’re not going to judge you.
- Salt: Don’t forget to adjust to taste after making the sauce!
Recipe variations
Peppers: Want it extra spicy? Add an extra jalapeño or experiment with other peppers, such as serrano or habanero.
Greek yogurt: Instead of sour cream, try substituting Greek yogurt.
Avocado: Blend in half an avocado for additional creaminess.
Instructions and storage
This recipe is so easy it doesn’t require step by step instructions. Just toss everything in a blender and pulse until smooth.
You can store your sauce covered in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Expert tips and tricks
- Adjust seasoning to taste. If your Cilantro Jalapeño Sauce tastes a bit flat, try adding just a pinch more salt.
- Make the sauce ahead of time. This sauce actually gets better as it sits and the flavors meld, so feel free to make it a day in advance.
Serving ideas
Where do we use Jalapeño Cilantro Sauce? Where don’t we use it! Here are just a few of our recipes that we love with the vibrant green sauce:
FAQs
Use a quality mayo for the best flavor. I prefer Hellman’s or Duke’s mayonnaise for this recipe.
Yes! I’ve tested this recipe using vegan mayo and it came out wonderfully. I find vegan mayo to be a bit tangier, so start with a bit less lime juice.
I don’t recommend freezing this sauce, as the texture won’t be as pleasant after thawing.
You can replace the sour cream with Greek yogurt, but I don’t recommend replacing both the mayo and sour cream. The resulting sauce would be a bit too tangy and have a different consistency.
Cilantro Jalapeño Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: Global
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (120 grams) mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup (120 grams) sour cream
- 1/2 bunch (30 grams) cilantro (use both leaves and thin stems)
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 small jalapeño (deseeded for less heat)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender. Pulse until smooth.
- Store covered in the refrigerator.
Notes
Storage: Cilantro Jalapeño Sauce will keep stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
More sauces and dips
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