Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce (Print)

A fresh, tangy sauce ready in 10 minutes. Perfect for tacos, grilled meats, salads, or dipping.

# Ingredient list:

01 - 1/2 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier option)

02 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise

03 - 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, loosely packed

04 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)

05 - 1 small garlic clove, peeled

06 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded (optional, for heat)

07 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

08 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

09 - 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

10 - 1–2 tablespoons water or milk, to thin as needed

01 - Place sour cream, mayonnaise, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, jalapeño (if using), cumin, salt, and pepper into a blender or food processor.

02 - Process on high until the mixture is completely smooth, scraping down the sides of the blender or processor bowl as necessary.

03 - Stream in water or milk one tablespoon at a time while blending until the sauce reaches your desired thickness.

04 - Taste the sauce and adjust salt, pepper, or lime juice as needed to balance the flavor.

05 - Transfer the sauce to an airtight jar or bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.

01 -

It takes roughly ten minutes and makes everything you put it on taste like you tried much harder than you did.
The balance of creamy, tangy, and herbal means it works on tacos one night and roasted vegetables the next without ever getting boring.

02 -

Do not skip the resting time in the fridge because raw garlic and cilantro need those thirty minutes to calm down and taste cohesive instead of chaotic.
If your sauce tastes flat after blending, it almost always needs more salt or a few more drops of lime juice rather than more spices.

03 -

Blending the garlic and jalapeño alone with the lime juice for ten seconds before adding the dairy ingredients gives a smoother, more even flavor with no chunky surprises.
If you want the sauce to stay vibrantly green instead of dulling overnight, press a small piece of plastic wrap directly against the surface before sealing the jar.