Quick & Creamy 5-Minute Cilantro Lime Sauce (Versatile Dip & Dressing)
Make this zesty, creamy cilantro lime sauce in just five minutes. It works perfectly as a dipping sauce, dressing, or marinade for tacos and grilled chicken.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 5 min
- Yield: About 1 cup 1x
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American/Mexican Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, packed
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (or sour cream/mayonnaise for a different texture)
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons water (or more, for thinning)
- Optional: 1/2 jalapeño, seeded (for spice)
Instructions
- Place the cilantro, Greek yogurt, lime juice, garlic, salt, cumin, and optional jalapeño into a food processor or high-speed blender.
- Process the ingredients until the mixture is mostly smooth. Stop and scrape down the sides as needed.
- Add water, one tablespoon at a time, while blending until you reach your desired sauce consistency. For a thinner dressing, add more water.
- Taste the sauce and adjust salt or lime juice if necessary.
- Transfer the finished cilantro lime sauce to an airtight container. Chill for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
- For a vegan cilantro lime sauce, substitute the Greek yogurt with a plant-based yogurt or silken tofu.
- If you prefer a richer sauce, use mayonnaise instead of yogurt.
- This sauce is excellent as a marinade for chicken or fish before grilling.
- If you do not have a food processor, you can finely chop the cilantro and garlic and whisk vigorously with the remaining ingredients.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 3
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Unsaturated Fat: 2
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 5