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In cilantro sauce, you’ll get the best of both worlds: rich, creamy flavors and a refreshingly zesty bite! It’s the perfect zingy companion for your favorite dishes. Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, and can also be made vegan!

A glass bowl filled with creamy green cilantro sauce, garnished with two cilantro leaves on top.

A Note From Kristen

If you love zesty sauces as much as I do, then you’re in for a treat! This recipe for cilantro sauce will be your new favorite. It adds flavor and tang to anything you add it to. I drizzle it over everything from grilled veggies to wraps, and use it as a dipping sauce and even as a salad dressing! Bonus points for being so quick and easy to make, too. I promise, this great dipping sauce will be your new obsession. Happy eating!
~Kristen

A wooden spoon holds a portion of thick green cilantro sauce above a glass bowl, with fresh cilantro leaves scattered on a wooden surface.

Ingredient Notes

Please keep in mind that this is just a quick overview. Visit the full recipe for amounts and instructions!

Fresh Cilantro: The key flavoring ingredient that gives the sauce a vibrant, herbal, and slightly citrusy note.
Cashews: Helps create a creamy texture and a rich, smooth base while adding a subtle nutty flavor. You can use sunflower seeds instead of cashews if you prefer a nut-free recipe. They both are delicious!
Garlic Cloves: Adds depth of flavor and savory notes to the cilantro sauce, enriching its taste.
Serrano or Jalapeño Chile: Imparts heat and spiciness to the sauce. The final result isn’t very spicy at all, still, if you are sensitive to heat, feel free to omit the pepper altogether.
Fresh Lime Juice: Gives acidity and brightness to balance the rich flavors. Fresh or bottled works!
Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds mild tanginess that further enhances the sauce’s acidity.
Plain Yogurt or Sour Cream: Contributes creaminess and smoothness.
You can use dairy or non-dairy versions, such as coconut or almond-based ones.
Greek yogurt is another option if you want a stronger tang.
If you want a more savory flavor, you can use mayo, but note that it can thicken the sauce more.
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Enhances the sauce’s texture, making it rich, smooth, and easy to drizzle.
Maple Syrup: Acts as a natural sweetener that balances the spiciness of the chiles and the acidity of the lime juice and apple cider vinegar. You can use honey if you’re not vegan.
Ground Cumin: Adds a warm, earthy flavor that enhances depth and gives complexity to the sauce.
Sea Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients, helping bring everything together.
Cold Water: Used to adjust the sauce’s consistency as needed.

A glass bowl filled with creamy cilantro sauce, garnished with a cilantro leaf, sits on a wooden surface alongside fresh cilantro.

How to Make Cilantro Sauce

01

ADD

Place the cilantro, cashews, garlic, chile, lime juice, vinegar, yogurt or sour cream, olive oil, maple syrup, cumin, and salt into a high-speed blender or food processor.

Sunflower seeds, cilantro, a jalapeño, ground spices, salt, and a white creamy ingredient are in a blender pitcher, ready to be blended into a fresh cilantro sauce.

02

MIX

Blend until smooth, gradually adding 2 to 4 tablespoons of water until you reach your preferred consistency. Scrape down the sides as needed and blend again until the mixture is creamy and pourable.

Top-down view of a vibrant green smoothie mixture, reminiscent of cilantro sauce, inside a blender with blades visible at the center.

03

ENJOY

Use right away or store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Enjoy!

A glass bowl filled with creamy green cilantro sauce, topped with a sprig of cilantro, sits on a wooden surface with fresh cilantro leaves nearby.

Serving Ideas

Use as a topping for tacos.
Drizzle over burritos, nachos, or quesadillas.
Use as a dipping sauce for potato wedges, sweet potato slices, falafel or french fries.
Use as a spread for sandwiches or wraps.
Drizzle over cabbage steaks or Mexican lentil soup.
Use as a salad dressing for greens.

A wooden spoon holds a thick green cilantro sauce over a glass bowl filled with the same sauce, placed on a wooden surface.

Expert Tips

For an extra rich flavor, use coconut milk instead of water to adjust the consistency of the cilantro sauce.
You can also let the sauce rest for 30 minutes to an hour before serving. This deepens the overall taste by allowing the flavors to meld together.
Variations of this cilantro sauce include:
- Adding fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or mint for extra layers of flavor.
- Blending in some lime zest for extra zing.
- For additional creaminess, blend in a ripe avocado.
- For smoky notes, incorporate smoked paprika or chipotle peppers.

A wooden spoon holding cilantro sauce hovers over a glass bowl, with fresh cilantro leaves scattered across a wooden surface.

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Cilantro Sauce Recipe

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This cilantro sauce recipe brings a creamy, zesty kick to any dish, making it the perfect topping, dip, or dressing for your favorite meals!

Author: Kristen Wood

Servings: servings

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 0

Total Time: 10

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Course: Condiments

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Ingredients

1 large bunch fresh cilantro about 1 packed cup, stems and leaves
1/4 cup raw cashews or sunflower seeds for nut-free
1 garlic clove
1 small serrano or jalapeño chile
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons sour cream or plain yogurt; dairy or vegan
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon maple syrup or honey if not vegan
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2-4 tablespoons cold water to thin as needed

Instructions

Add the cilantro, cashews or seeds, garlic, chile, lime juice, vinegar, sour cream, olive oil, maple syrup, cumin, and salt to a high-speed blender or food processor.
Blend until smooth, adding 2 to 4 tablespoons of water gradually to reach your desired consistency. Scrape down the sides and blend again until creamy and pourable.
Use immediately or refrigerate in an airtight jar for up to 5 days. It may thicken in the refrigerator – just stir in a splash of water before serving if needed.
Enjoy!

Notes

Storage

You can also freeze it for longer storage. Store the sauce in ice cube trays for individual portions or in a tightly sealed container.

Nutrition

Have you tried this recipe?Please Rate + Comment Below!

Creamy Zingy Cilantro Sauce