Cilantro Lime Sauce {Mega Popular} | Kitchen At Hoskins (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Maria Doss · This post may contain affiliate links · 23 Comments

This Cilantro Lime Sauce is unbelievably addicting! Made in under 5 minutes it is creamy, spicy, tangy with a subtle bite from garlic, full of flavor and elevates any Mexican dish!

Jump to Recipe

Cilantro Lime Sauce {Mega Popular} | Kitchen At Hoskins (1)

A 5 minute cilantro lime sauce that has become the essential sauce of this blog. Loaded with cilantro, garlic, jalapeño, lime juice, sour cream, mayo and salt, it might be my favorite sauce, dressing, dip -> you name it.

It is compatible with almost everything from tacos, salads, burrito bowls, grilled chicken, steak or a dipping sauce for your veggies.

We loved this cilantro lime sauce on chickpea tacos and then repurposed into chickpea lettuce wraps, but its also amazing drizzled into the Mexican shrimp tacos. So awesome!

Is it sauce or dressing? A dressing is a type of sauce used mainly for salads, typically made with oil and vinegar mixed together with herbs or other flavorings. Whereas a sauce is a thick liquid served usually with savory dishes to add moistness and flavor like this greek yogurt sauce. This recipe can be served as both a salad dressing and a sauce.

If you are familiar with zhoug, a type of cilantro sauce originating in Yemen and has gained popularity across Middle East, does not contain any dairy or mayonnaise, so it's missing the creamy factor.

Also known as zhug or skhug, it is made using cilantro, chili peppers, garlic, olive oil and spices. Trader Joe's carries this in the refrigerate section and it has been one of our favorite Trader Joe's products.

Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this sauce?
  • Ingredients
  • How to make?
  • How to store?
  • Helpful tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • More sauce recipes
  • Cilantro Lime Sauce

Why you'll love this sauce?

Featured comments

"I’ve been making this for years I call it “magic green sauce” it’s magic because it’s delicious on ANYTHING!!" - Teri

"We made it and 🤤 we used it as a dipping sauce for our sirloin! Thanks so much!!! Definitely will be keeping this recipe for the books" - Pina

It is got the kick from the jalapeño, tangy from sour cream and lime, thick enough yet perfect to be drizzled and the fresh cilantro shining all the way through.

Ingredients

Cilantro Lime Sauce {Mega Popular} | Kitchen At Hoskins (2)

Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.

  1. Cilantro - Wash fresh cilantro and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel so there is no additional water that might thin down the cilantro lime sauce.
  2. Jalapeño - I'll let you be the judge here! We used 1 whole large jalapeño pepper. Go ahead and scrape out the seeds if you want to tone down the heat.
  3. Sour cream - We went all in with full fat sour cream for the ultimate creaminess. Few readers use plain greek yogurt and find it just as delicious.
  4. Mayonnaise - For subtle sweet flavor and bring home the thick creamy amazingness.
  5. Garlic - No you won't taste the raw garlic.
  6. Lime juice - Use freshly squeezed and not from a bottle.

Substitution & Variations

  • Make into a cilantro dip - Chop cilantro, garlic and jalapeños very fine using a food processor or by hand and then transfer to a bowl. Mix in mayo, sour cream, lime juice and salt with a spoon.
  • Make it vegan - Use vegan free mayo like Just Mayo orSir Kensington’s Vegan Mayo and plant based sour cream.
  • Like it healthier? Use plain greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
  • Add some ripe avocado for added color and flavor.

Love Cilantro? Check out more cilantro recipes like instant pot cilantro lime rice or Mexican chickpeas.

How to make?

You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.

Cilantro Lime Sauce {Mega Popular} | Kitchen At Hoskins (3)
Cilantro Lime Sauce {Mega Popular} | Kitchen At Hoskins (4)
Cilantro Lime Sauce {Mega Popular} | Kitchen At Hoskins (5)
Cilantro Lime Sauce {Mega Popular} | Kitchen At Hoskins (6)

Tip: Don't blend very smooth! You want to see green specks of cilantro running through the cilantro lime sauce.

How to store?

  • In the refrigerator - In an air tight container for 3 to 4 days.
  • In the freezer - This cilantro lime sauce can be frozen too! We like to store in single serve portions in freezer safe bags or sealed containers for up to a month. Leave at room temperature for about 30 minutes or up to an hour or thawed.

Serving suggestions?

Your possibilities are endless!

  1. Drizzle this cilantro lime sauce on your favorite taco recipes. We like it especially in our air fryer chicken tacos or potato tacos.
  2. Great in your ground chicken burrito bowl.
  3. Perfect to add freshness and zing with your grilled chicken, steak or veggies this summer.
  4. As a dip for your game day snack along with some tortilla chips or cucumber slices.
  5. As a spicy cilantro dressing for your lunch salad recipes.
Cilantro Lime Sauce {Mega Popular} | Kitchen At Hoskins (7)

Helpful tips

  • Spiciness - We used whole jalapeño pepper (along with the seeds and ribs) but, you can remove the seeds for a less spicy dressing.
  • Cilantro - Use coriander with stems. It adds nutrition and texture!
  • Garlic - It compliments by adding a bite. However, too much garlic will overpower the taste. So, we recommend using not more than 1 or 2 large cloves.
  • Lime juice - Use fresh lime juice and not bottled ones.
Cilantro Lime Sauce {Mega Popular} | Kitchen At Hoskins (8)
Cilantro Lime Sauce {Mega Popular} | Kitchen At Hoskins (9)

Recipe FAQs

How to wash cilantro?

Rinse under running water and place in a colander to drain excess water. Coarsely chop (along with stems) and add into a blender or food processor.

Can I make cilantro lime sauce without a food processor?

Sure can! Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream and lime juice in a bowl. Stir in finely chopped cilantro, jalapeños and grated garlic and mix by hand. It won’t be as smooth, but the flavor is just as delish.

What type of blenders to use?

Use whatever you have access to. Regular size or mini food processor (process in two batches), Nutri Bullet, Vitamix or any other blender.

More sauce recipes

  • Avocado Crema
  • Pico De Gallo Recipe
  • Cashew Mint Chutney
  • Yogurt Sauce

Cilantro Lime Sauce {Mega Popular} | Kitchen At Hoskins (14)

Cilantro Lime Sauce

This Cilantro Sauce is unbelievably addicting! Made in under 5 minutes it is creamy, spicy, tangy with a subtle bite from garlic, full of flavor and elevates any Mexican dish!

4.5 from 91 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: No-Cook

Cuisine: Mexican

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes

Additional Time: 0 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 Servings

Calories: 155kcal

Author: Maria Doss

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cilantro lightly packed
  • 1 cup Sour cream
  • ½ cup Mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, remove seeds if you'd like less spicy
  • 1 large garlic clove
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients into a small food processor or blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.

    Tip: Don't blend very smooth! You want to see green specks of cilantro running through the cilantro lime sauce.

  • Refrigerate until ready to use.

Notes

Jalapeno - Use as much as or as little you like.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 Serving | Calories: 155kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 100mg | Potassium: 70mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 479IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @KitchenAtHoskins or tag #kitchenathoskins!

Did you make this recipe?I’d love your feedback! Please let me know by leaving a comment, a star rating or review below.

All contents and images are my original work, unless and otherwise mentioned. Please do not use my recipes or images without linking back to www.kitchenathoskins.com. If you wish to republish a recipe, please rewrite in your own words and don’t forget to include a link back to the original recipe.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jayt

    Great sauce! I used powdered garlic and omitted sour cream. It was delicious!

    Reply

      • Jo

        Is it possible to can this sauce?

        Reply

        • Maria Doss

          Hmm... unfortunately, I don't think it would work for canning - Maria

          Reply

  2. Sophia

    My whole family loved this !!! This will definitely become a staple sauce in my home. Thank you Maria !

    Reply

    • Maria Doss

      Glad you liked it hun, Maria

      Reply

  3. Pina

    We made it and 🤤 we used it as a dipping sauce for our sirloin! Thanks so much!!! Definently will be keeping this recipe for the books

    Reply

    • Maria Doss

      Glad to hear hun, have a wonderful weekend - Maria

      Reply

  4. Sophia

    It was a hit in my household ! My family loved it !! This is the third time I’ve made it. Thank you so much for the ingredients to create this delicious sauce ! 🤤

    Reply

    • Renee

      Hi Maria!
      I am going to make this for a variety of dishes! So versatile! So fresh!
      I suppose I can substitute the mayo and the sour cream with something else . . . But won’t because I love the recipe as written - dairy and all!
      Thank you for sharing!

      Reply

      • Maria Doss

        Sounds good, have a great day - Maria

        Reply

  5. Dean

    Cilantro Lime Sauce {Mega Popular} | Kitchen At Hoskins (15)
    Great recipe! I have made this a dozen times and is a must to have in my fridge at all times. I do add a large Avocado and more peppers as I do like it hot.

    Reply

  6. Pamela Theiss

    Cilantro Lime Sauce {Mega Popular} | Kitchen At Hoskins (16)
    Yummy! I substituted Greek yogurt for the sour cream . I added 1/4 cup feta cheese instead of salt. I might try adding avocado next time with more jalapeño, as I like it spicy.
    Thanks for the great recipe!

    Reply

    • Maria Doss

      That’s so great to hear! So glad you love it hun – Maria ♡

      Reply

  7. Terrence Beneventi

    Cilantro Lime Sauce {Mega Popular} | Kitchen At Hoskins (17)
    Love the simplicity of the recipe. Felt like it needed some onion powder, but other than that, wifey loves it, and that's all I need!

    Reply

    • Maria Doss

      That’s so great to hear! So glad you love it – Maria ♡

      Reply

  8. Janine Fowlds

    Cilantro Lime Sauce {Mega Popular} | Kitchen At Hoskins (18)
    Seriously, the BEST! Flavorful and creamy…we LOVE it. New favorite!

    Reply

    • Maria Doss

      That’s so great to hear! So glad you love it – Maria ♡

      Reply

  9. Jessica

    Cilantro Lime Sauce {Mega Popular} | Kitchen At Hoskins (19)
    Hi! Made this recipe tonight. Very good! Will make it again, maybe with two jalapeños to spice it up more.

    Reply

    • Maria Doss

      That’s so great to hear, so glad you loved it - Maria ♡

      Reply

  10. Fraser

    Cilantro Lime Sauce {Mega Popular} | Kitchen At Hoskins (20)
    Incredible!!! My husband and I crave this stuff and we base meals around it, which is easy as it’s amazing on everything. I especially love it on my huevos rancheros.

    Reply

    • Maria Doss

      That’s so great to hear, so glad you loved it - Maria ♡

      Reply

4.52 from 91 votes (85 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Cilantro Lime Sauce {Mega Popular} | Kitchen At Hoskins (2024)

FAQs

What can I eat Hellmann's cilantro lime sauce with? ›

Our Cilantro Lime Sauce is made with hatch chiles, tomatillos, and creamy avocado oil for a slightly spicy, zesty taste. Try it with tacos, fish, and anything else that could use some big, bright flavor.

What is a cilantro lime sauce made of? ›

Cilantro lime sauce (also called cilantro lime dressing or cilantro lime crema) is a blended creamy sauce. It uses cilantro, lime juice, and sour cream as the primary flavors. This recipe is made with olive oil, avocado, green onion (or scallions), cilantro, garlic, lime juice, salt, and sour cream (or Greek yogurt).

Does cilantro lime sauce need to be refrigerated? ›

Yes. Cilantro Lime Crema is made from fresh dairy products, and can spoil like milk does if left unrefrigerated.

What foods pair best with cilantro? ›

Shrimp, chicken, steak, lamb, swordfish, clams, squid, pork, turkey, beef, bacon, mussels, prawn, salmon pair well with coriander/cilantro. What to do with cilantro before it goes bad? Pesto, Indian green chutney, chimichurri sauce are great ways to use it all before cilantro goes bad.

Is mayo with lime good? ›

Duke's Hint of Lime Mayonnaise is the perfect balance of creamy, tart, and tangy – and is delicious on sandwiches, salads, and Tex-Mex.

Why do Mexicans eat so much cilantro? ›

While there is no set reason as to why cilantro is used in Mexican food, it could be attributed to the way it helps to balance the spice and bold flavors associated with many popular dishes. It is a testament to how even the smallest ingredient can make a huge difference in taste and experience.

Is cilantro lime good for you? ›

Cilantro lime rice contains small amounts of fiber, which can help you feel full and satisfied. Feeling full can reduce your overall calorie intake and maintain a healthy weight. Cilantro lime rice is a flavorful and satisfying dish that can help you stick to a healthy diet.

What is a Mexican substitute for cilantro? ›

Papalo leaves are used in seasoning, especially in Mexican cuisine. It is added to the dishes at the end of the cooking process and makes a great garnish over salads, sandwiches, and guacamole. It makes a good substitute for cilantro in Mexican dishes. Replace 1 tablespoon cilantro with ⅓ or ⅔ tablespoon papalo.

How to thicken up cilantro sauce? ›

Mayonnaise: To help thicken the sauce and get it nice and creamy. You can also use sour cream if you can't stand mayo but the taste will be slightly different. Plain Whole Milk Yogurt: This helps lighten the sauce and also get it creamy. For a lighter sauce, you can add less mayo and more yogurt.

How to use Costco cilantro lime crema? ›

It would be tasty on steak tacos and fish tacos, too. This cilantro-lime crema adds all of the flavor needed to serve my go-to three-ingredient potato salad at this summer's outdoor events. Alternately, dress a pasta salad with this bottled sauce with great success.

What is creamy cilantro dressing made of? ›

Directions. Blend mayonnaise, canola oil, pumpkin seeds, water, vinegar, Cotija cheese, roasted chile peppers, garlic, salt, and pepper in a blender until smooth, about 1 minutes. Add cilantro in batches, blending each to incorporate completely before adding the next, 30 to 60 seconds per batch.

What do you eat with all purpose sauce? ›

Its unique blend of savoury, sweet, and tangy flavours enhance the taste of meats, poultry, and even seafood dishes, making it a favourite among home cooks and food enthusiasts alike.

What is cilantro lime salsa cremosa used for? ›

Inspired by recipes passed down through the generations, this craveable combination of tangy tomatillos and lime with garlic and jalapeno will transform your fish tacos, grilled chicken or garden salad. A perfect addition to your daily dish.

What is Hellmann's mayonnaise used for? ›

Made with simple and 100% vegetarian ingredients, our real mayo pairs well with almost everything, adding a delicious and smooth flavour to sandwiches, burgers, and more. Hellmann's mayonnaise eggless brings out the best in your food.

What foods does tartar sauce go with? ›

It's typically served with seafood, but trust me – this delicious condiment can do so much more. Lately, I've been using it as a dip for my crispy air fryer cauliflower, and the leftovers never go to waste. We slather the sauce on sandwiches, pile it onto baked potatoes, and dollop it onto grilled veggies.

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