Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce (Printable)

Fresh, zesty sauce perfect for tacos, grilled dishes, and bowls. Ready in minutes.

# What You'll Need:

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

02 - Process on high until completely smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.

03 - Stream in water or milk 1 tablespoon at a time while blending until the desired thickness is reached.

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

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

01 -

It takes almost no effort but makes people think you spent ages on it.
The tangy, creamy balance works on practically everything from grilled corn to roasted potatoes.

02 -

Skipping the chill time is the biggest mistake because the garlic and cumin need those minutes to soften and marry with the lime.
Wash your cilantro thoroughly since sandy grit will ruin the smooth texture you are working to achieve.

03 -

Use a small blender cup or immersion blender if you are making a single batch because large blenders often leave the ingredients splattered on the sides instead of blending evenly.
Letting the sauce sit overnight transforms it into something noticeably deeper and more complex than when it is freshly made.