Cilantro Lime Sauce

 

This cilantro lime sauce is a delicious and easy dressing. It pairs well with so many meals! Cilantro lime crema is especially good on tacos and slaw.

Why do I love cilantro lime sauce so much? I can put it on everything. That’s why. Tacos, burrito bowls, chips, eggs, and sandwiches. One of my absolute favorite ways to use it is as a salad dressing.

What is Cilantro Lime Dressing and What is In It?

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).

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE CILANTRO LIME SAUCE

I start this sauce with a mixture of sour cream and mayonnaise. The two combine to make a creamy, lightly-tangy base.

To flavor the sauce, you’ll need fresh cilantro leaves, lime zest, and freshly-squeezed lime juice. I’ve indicated a range on the lime juice quantity so you can adjust the sauce to your personal tartness preferences.

Also, I find that some brands of mayonnaise and sour cream can be more tart than others. It’s best to start with the smaller quantity of lime juice and add adjust, as needed, based on on the brands you’re using.

I like to add a bit of garlic to the sauce, but this is totally optional if you prefer to just have the flavors of cilantro and lime. Since fresh garlic can have a sharp bite, I mince it and let it sit in the lime juice for about 10 minutes before making the sauce.

This softens the garlic’s pungency and adds a mellower flavor to the sauce that doesn’t overpower the cilantro or lime. Finish the sauce by seasoning, to taste, with kosher salt. I usually use about 1/2 teaspoonful, though I rarely measure it!

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MAKING AND STORING THE SAUCE

I like to make this recipe in my food processor, using the mini chopper bowl and the pulse button. It makes quick work of chopping the cilantro leaves and processing all of the ingredients into a creamy sauce.

In the market for a food processor? I have the Breville Sous Chef, and love it.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH CILANTRO LIME SAUCE

As I mentioned earlier, this sauce is everything with fish tacos. I also use it to top my Tortilla Crusted Tilapia for a bright finish against the crunchy, breaded fish fillets.

If you’re making chicken or steak fajitas, Cilantro-Lime sauce is a great condiment to serve on the side. We also love it with tamales, and drizzled over marinated grilled chicken breasts and shrimp kabobs during the summer.

I’ve even used the leftovers as a dip for warm tortilla chips. Warm and lime are a match made in heaven!