The Best 5-Minute Cilantro Lime Sauce

This quick and easy cilantro lime sauce is a zesty and flavorful condiment that packs a punch with its tangy, citrusy taste. It takes just a few minutes to throw together and is made with fresh cilantro, sour cream, lime juice and zest, jalapeno, garlic, olive oil, and spices. The result is a smooth and creamy sauce with a bright green color and a fresh aroma.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Cilantro: Use the cilantro leaves and the stems! The stems actually have a ton of flavor and they’ll blend up super smooth in the high-speed blender!
• Jalapeno: If you want to spice up the sauce, leave a few jalapeno seeds or some of the ribs in. Otherwise, remove them completely and you’ll get the jalapeno flavor without the heat. You could substitute it with another kind of pepper if you prefer.
• Garlic: If you’re out of fresh garlic add a couple pinches of garlic powder instead.
• Sour Cream: Full-fat sour cream makes this dressing rich and creamy. You can substitute it with plain Greek yogurt if you like.
• Olive Oil: If you don’t have olive oil you can use grapeseed oil, avocado oil, or another mild-tasting oil. The oil adds a much-needed fat to the sauce that helps make it super smooth and creamy and also adds to the overall flavor.
• Lime Juice and Zest: These two ingredients work hand in hand to really infuse the sauce with a tangy lime flavor. If you can’t get your hands on a lime, just use store-bought lime juice and omit the zest. It will still taste great!
• Spices: Cumin and chili powder help boost the flavor profile of this dressing and add a bit of depth. Use these spices, along with salt and pepper, to taste.

How to Make Cilantro Lime Sauce

Add ingredients to a high-speed blender.

Blend until smooth, creamy, and well combined.

Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with chicken quesadillas, cheesy Gordita crunch, or sheet pan nachos, and enjoy!

Tips

• Use a high-speed blender or food processor for best results. To get that creamy consistency, you’ll really need to use a high-speed blender, food processor, or immersion blender. 
• Adjust the ingredients to taste until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. The great thing about making your own sauces and dressings is you can make them to suit your taste by adding more or less of certain ingredients. Though cilantro is a key ingredient, if it’s not your thing, you can cut back a bit and let the jalapeno and other spices take the lead, and you can adjust the cumin and chili powder to your liking or even add another preferred spice or spice blend!

Serve This Cilantro Lime Sauce With

• chicken quesadillas
• cheese quesadillas
• sheet pan nachos
• sheet pan quesadillas
• crunchwrap supreme
• cheesy gordita crunch
• fish tacos
• baked French fries
• southwest salad
• shrimp tacos
• veggie sandwich
• steak and eggs
• burrito bowls

You Will Love This

• It will become a refrigerator regular! One of the best things about this cilantro lime sauce recipe is that it’s so versatile! You can use it as a creamy salad dressing, a delicious drizzle, or a simple dipping sauce. Its tangy, citrusy flavor is balanced by just enough spice to make it a family favorite.
• If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my 3 ingredient slow cooker chicken tacos, vegetarian taco flatbread pizza, and my copycat Taco Bell crunchwrap supreme.

What is cilantro lime sauce made of?

This creamy cilantro lime dressing is a mix of cilantro, lime juice and lime zest, sour cream, jalapeno pepper, garlic, and olive oil along with chili powder and cumin. These ingredients are mixed in a high-speed blender or food processor until transformed into a creamy sauce that can be used as a dip or dressing for a variety of dishes. 

What does cilantro lime sauce taste like?

Cilantro is the primary ingredient in cilantro lime sauce, so you will taste the herby, almost citrusy flavor of cilantro, alongside the tangy lime flavors, with a little bit of a kick from the jalapeno and other spices. That’s all combined in a cool, creamy base of sour cream with a splash of olive oil for a truly delicious sauce your family will love.

Make-Ahead Instructions

This cilantro lime sauce is a perfect make-ahead option! I like to keep it on hand to dress up a quick lunch like mini baked chicken tacos, salmon rice bowls, or baked fish tacos. The best part is that the flavors just get better with time!

Storage

Store cilantro lime sauce in an airtight container or wide-mouth mason jar in the refrigerator for up to a week. Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.

Freezing

Place cilantro lime sauce in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. You could also freeze individual portions in ice cube trays. Thaw sauce overnight in the fridge. You may find that the sour cream has separated a bit. To fix this, stir in a bit of heavy cream until it comes back together and creates a creamy sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.

More Easy Sauce and Dip Recipes

Easy Cilantro Lime Sauce Recipe