Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce

Name: Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 jalapeño; 2 cloves garlic; 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves; 3/4 cup mayonnaise ((I like Duke's)); 2 tbsp fresh lime juice

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This cilantro jalapeño sauce is so delicious, you'll want to put it on everything. In just about 5 minutes, this creamy sauce comes together combining simple ingredients: tangy lime, fresh garlic, cilantro, and a hint of spice from jalapeño peppers.

It's such a versatile sauce, great to drizzle on fish tacos, spread on sandwiches, or toss with chicken wings. It's also a great dipping sauce, especially with crispy smashed potatoes, tortilla chips, or my Tostones recipe.

Black-handled shallow bowl of Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce with a small wooden spoon on a blue surface with a basket of tostones off to the side.

I love to make homemade sauces and dressings. They are great way to take a dish to the next level, from ho-hum to hip-hip-hooray. On busy nights when I'm on the struggle bus and need some new dinner ideas, this creamy jalapeño sauce comes to the rescue.

It's so good as a sauce for a burrito bowl or rice bowls: combine cooked rice, black beans, shredded chicken or taco meat, pico de gallo or this authentic salsa verde recipe, guacamole, and drizzle with the sauce.

Use it to add some more flair to these shrimp tostadas. Or, sauté shrimp and fajita veggies with taco seasoning and stuff into soft taco shells with shredded cabbage and sliced avocado. Add some of the creamy cilantro sauce and you've got some amazing shrimp tacos.

White oval plate of shrimp tacos, a brown bowl of Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce with a teal enamel spoon, a dark teal napkin, a green glass of ice water, and a wooden bowl of lime wedges on a blue metal surface.

One of my favorite ways to serve this sauce is with my easy Tostones recipe. It also happens to be amazing on my Instant Pot Beef Barbacoa Tacos.

Looking for other bowl recipes like the no-recipe recipes I mentioned above? You'll love my Mediterranean Bowls with Trader Joe's Greek Chickpeas. Or, check out my Harvest Grain Bowls. Both delicious recipes have elements that allow you to create your own adventure.

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Ingredients
Instructions
Substitutions
Variations
Equipment
Storage
Tasty Tip
Frequently asked questions
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RECIPE GUIDELINES AND TEST KITCHEN TIPS
FOOD SAFETY

Ingredients

Before we get started, let's gather the ingredients we need for this recipe:

jalapeño
Duke's mayonnaise
lime juice
cilantro
garlic cloves

(See recipe card for quantities.)

Instructions

Now that we've got our ingredients, it's time to make this delicious sauce!

A seeded, halved jalapeno on a wooden cutting board with a blue-handled paring knife.

First, stem, halve, and seed the jalapeño.

Creamy Cilantro, Jalapeño, and Garlic Green Sauce in a food processor.

Then, combine the jalapeño, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, and mayonnaise in a food processor. Process until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.

Hint: You may want to wear gloves when cutting the jalapeño. Or just be sure to carefully wash your hands afterwards to avoid any burns.

Substitutions

Here are some substitution ideas in case you're out of an ingredient:

Cilantro - I'm a cilantro lover, but if it's not your thing use parsley or basil instead.
Jalapeño - Jalapeños have a wonderful flavor and are not super spicy, which is why I like to use them in this sauce. For a spicier sauce, don't seed the jalapeño. Or, use a Fresno chili pepper. A poblano pepper is also a great option. They're usually larger so you may only need half the pepper.
Mayonnaise - I'm a Duke's mayonnaise girl. It's got a thicker texture thanks to more egg yolks and doesn't have any sugar. If you use another mayo, you may need to adjust the seasoning with more salt. You can also use sour cream or plain Greek yogurt instead.
Lime juice - Lime is the perfect compliment to cilantro but lemon juice or white vinegar are good alternatives.

Variations

There are so many ways to change up this recipe! Here are some options:

Spicy - To amp up the spice level, don't seed the jalapeño. Or, add a little cayenne pepper to taste.
Super herbs - Got some other herbs on-hand? Add them in for a super herby sauce. Chives, green onions, and parsley are great add-ins.
Vegan - Use vegan mayonnaise to make this vegan friendly.

Equipment

Here's the equipment you'll need to make this recipe:

chef's knife
dry measuring cup
measuring spoons
food processor

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

This sauce does not freeze well.

Tasty Tip

I like to blend this easy sauce until it's silky smooth. If you want more texture, pulse the sauce less in the food processor until you reach the desired consistency.

Frequently asked questions

Does removing the seeds from jalapeños make them less spicy?

It does! The heat is held in the ribs (white membrane) and the seeds, so if you want a sauce on the milder side, that's how to do it. That said, if you're looking for a spicier sauce, leave the seeds in.

Can you use jarred jalapeños instead of fresh?

I don't recommend it. Pickled jalapeños are more astringent and will overpower the fresh flavor of the other ingredients.

What pepper is like a jalapeño but hotter?

That's a Fresno chili pepper. If you like things hot, it's a great spicy pepper to kick things up.

How to thicken up cilantro sauce?

The mayonnaise is what makes this sauce thicker. If your sauce is on the runny side, add more mayo.

How to perk up cilantro?

As a food stylist, I deal with reviving limp herbs all the time! To make it perky, snip the ends under cold water with kitchen shears and place in a jar of water. Tent the cilantro with the produce bag from the grocery store and refrigerate it until it comes back to life (usually a few hours.)

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