Cilantro Lime Sauce Recipe (2024)

Published: by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Make this cilantro lime sauce recipe easily and with just a few ingredients. It is the perfect complement to shrimp tacos or when used as a delicious dressing on your favorite leafy salad!

Cilantro Lime Sauce Recipe (1)

Original post: August 2018 | Updated: December 2021

Why This Recipe Works

Tacos are a go-to recipe favorite in our home and I am always excited to change up the standard ingredients a bit. Making this super easy cilantro lime sauce is a great way to do that!

This creamy sauce comes together very quickly and easily and tastes great on just about any food under the sun. Once it is in your fridge you’ll want to drizzle it over everything!

Recipe Ingredients

Sour cream – For a healthier sauce, replace the sour cream with Greek yogurt or fat-free sour cream. To boost the flavor, replace half of the sour cream with 1/2 cup mayonnaise.

Lime juice – An essential ingredient, so use freshly-squeezed when possible. Fresh lime juice can be replaced with fresh lemon juice in a pinch.

Cilantro – Freshly chopped cilantro leaves are preferable.

Garlic – Fresh garlic can be replaced with 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.

Green onions – Replace with red onions for a zingier sauce.

Cilantro Lime Sauce Recipe (2)

Enjoy This Web Story On A Delicious Sauce

You might find yourself licking your plate if you use some cilantro lime dressing on tacos, salad or sandwiches!

How To Make Cilantro Lime Sauce

In a food processor or blender, combine the sour cream, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, green onions, salt and pepper.

Process/puree until creamy. Pour into a container, cover and chill until ready to serve.

Recipe Notes

  • To spice things up, add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, jalapenos, hot sauce or diced green chiles to the mixture before pureeing.
  • Add a few tablespoons of olive oil for added flavor.
  • Add sweetness by adding a touch of maple syrup or honey.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days in the fridge.
  • Don’t discard your bunch of cilantro! Hang onto it so you can make another batch of this dressing.
Cilantro Lime Sauce Recipe (3)

FAQ About Cilantro Lime Sauce

What is cilantro lime sauce?

Cilantro lime sauce can also be referred to as a creamy cilantro lime dressing recipe. It is made with cilantro, sour cream, garlic and lime juice. It is most commonly added to tacos, but makes a delicious addition to many Mexican flavors such as burritos, enchiladas or taco salad.

Is cilantro lime sauce spicy?

Cilantro lime sauce is not typically spicy, aside from a bit of zing the garlic in the recipe provides. It can be made spicier when desired, using ingredients such as jalapano peppers or cayenne pepper.

Is cilantro lime sauce keto?

There are 3 grams of carbs in an entire batch of cilantro lime sauce, making it a low-carb, keto-friendly recipe.

Can you freeze cilantro lime sauce?

Cilantro lime sauce can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Keep in mind that sour cream based sauces do lose some quality after being frozen.

Uses For Cilantro Lime Sauce

  • Use as a creamy salad dressing on any leafy salad such as a chopped salad or southwest chicken salad.
  • Pour it over steamed or roasted veggies.
  • Add it to your next batch of cilantro lime rice.
  • Use as a dip for raw vegetables, French fries or chips.
  • Top scrambled or fried eggs with it!
  • Use it as a dipping sauce for a grilled chicken breast, chicken tenders or steak bites.
  • Drizzle it over your next batch of chicken tacos, shrimp tacos, oven-baked beef tacos or any Mexican food such as enchiladas or burrito bowls.
  • Throw your favorite taco salad ingredients together in a bowl and drizzle this creamy cilantro lime sauce over the top.
  • Use it as a creamy dressing spread on your next savory sandwich.
  • Add as a layer to your next taco dip.
  • Drizzle over cilantro lime chicken.

More Homemade Sauces

I’m obsessed with making savory homemade sauces! Down with store bought! Here are a handful of my favorites that you are sure to fall in love with. These all make for great gifts, too!

  • Enchilada Sauce is more delicious than anything you can buy at the store and it is super easy to make. It only requires a handful of ingredients and is done in 15 minutes, with perfect flavor and consistency.
  • Alfredo Sauce is super easy to make, done in under 10 minutes.
  • A copycat recipe of the famous Arby’s Sauce that makes sandwiches sing! This zingy flavorful BBQ style sauce is so delicious
  • This homemade Pizza Sauce takes less than 25 minutes to make!
  • Pasta Sauce is super easy, meaty and hearty when made in an Instant Pot. Using a pressure cooker to cook pasta sauce makes it flavorful and quick to prepare, but tastes like is has simmered on the stove all day.
  • Make your own Taco Sauce to use in a variety of Mexican dishes, such as tacos, burritos and taco salads. Ditch the store-bought version so you know EXACTLY what goes inside!

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Cilantro Lime Sauce Recipe (4)

Cilantro Lime Sauce Recipe

Make this cilantro lime sauce recipe easily and with just a few ingredients. Goes great with shrimp tacos or on your favorite salad!

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Sauce

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 minute minute

Servings: 8

Calories: 62kcal

Author: Megan Porta

Ingredients

  • 8 oz sour cream
  • 2 limes juiced
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • 2 cloves garlic quartered
  • 1/4 cup green onions sliced
  • salt/pepper

Instructions

  • In a food processor or blender, combine the sour cream, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, green onions, salt and pepper.

  • Process/puree until creamy. Pour into a container, cover and chill until ready to serve.

Notes

  • To spice things up, add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, jalapenos, hot sauce or diced green chiles to the mixture before pureeing.
  • Add a few tablespoons of olive oil for added flavor.
  • Add sweetness by adding a touch of maple syrup or honey.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days in the fridge.
  • Don’t discard your bunch of cilantro! Hang onto it so you can make another batch of this dressing.

Nutrition

Calories: 62kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 24mg | Potassium: 74mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 284IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cilantro Lime Sauce Recipe (5)Art McHugh

    Cilantro Lime Sauce Recipe (6)
    I used this as a dressing instead of mayo on my shrimp burgers and it was fantastic. Thank you for quick, easy tasty sauce.

    Reply

    • Cilantro Lime Sauce Recipe (7)Megan Porta

      That is an excellent tip, Art. Thank you for sharing that – I’m totally ready for some shrimp burgers now!

      Reply

  2. Cilantro Lime Sauce Recipe (8)Andrea Thurman

    Cilantro Lime Sauce Recipe (9)
    Thanks for the recipe! I will be making this from now on. Super delicious, fresh, herb citrusy tasting. Loved it on my salad.

    Reply

    • Cilantro Lime Sauce Recipe (10)Megan Porta

      It’s so good as a condiment and a dressing. I’m glad you tried it and thank you for letting me know!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Cilantro Lime Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a cilantro lime sauce made of? ›

In a food processor, place the cilantro, garlic, lime juice, maple syrup, coriander, and salt and pulse to combine. With the blade running, pour in the olive oil and process until smooth.

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.

Does cilantro lime crema need to be refrigerated before opening? ›

Does it need to be refrigerated, even before I open it? Yes.

How to use cilantro in recipes? ›

Cooking with Cilantro

Raw cilantro leaves are the most powerful in aroma and are commonly added to salsas, chutneys, pestos, marinades, and dressings. You can even add them to your salads for an extra boost of flavor.

What is cilantro sauce made of? ›

Combine cream cheese, tomatillo salsa, cilantro, sour cream, lime juice, garlic powder, pepper, celery salt, and cumin in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. Place in a serving bowl.

What does cilantro sauce contain? ›

A deliciously creamy garlic sauce made with chopped cilantro, fresh garlic, lime juice, and sour cream. You'll love adding it to just about anything. This sauce is super easy-to-make and ready in just 10 minutes!

How long does cilantro lime crema last in the fridge? ›

This easy cilantro lime crema is a delicious zesty topping for tacos, enchiladas, grilled veggies, and more. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Does cilantro go bad in the fridge? ›

Keep the cilantro in the refrigerator, as the tender leaves prefer cooler temperatures, and change the water if/when you notice it starting to discolor. Stored this way, cilantro can last up to two weeks. Hold off on washing the cilantro until right before you use it, as excess moisture causes it to rot more quickly.

Is Mexican crema the same as heavy cream? ›

In the United States, or in the English language, it is sometimes referred to as crema espesa (English: "thick cream"), also referred to as crema fresca (English: "fresh cream") in Mexico. Crema fresca or crema espesa is a Mexican dairy product prepared with two ingredients, heavy cream and buttermilk.

Can you use too much cilantro? ›

Bleeding: Cilantro can slow down or inhibit blood clotting. Overconsumption can therefore cause bleeding in people who have bleeding tendencies or clotting disorders.

What pairs with cilantro? ›

Cilantro Sweet, sour avocado, bell pepper, coconut milk, corn, cucumber, rice, figs, yogurt, carrots, potatoes, soups, stews, root vegetables basil, chives, dill, garlic, ginger, lemon grass, mint, parsley Cilantro will keep for 3-5 days in the refrigerator vegetable crisper.

How to make cilantro taste good? ›

According to scientists, it is possible to get over the aversion. Some of the soapy-tasting enzymes are released by crushing, mincing, or pulverising the herb, like in this recipe for Spicy Parsley-Cilantro Sauce. It is also believed that cooking cilantro instead of eating it fresh will lessen its soapiness.

What is in cilantro lime seasoning? ›

Fresh, crisp cilantro and bright lime flavors, plus onion and garlic. Perfect for seasoning rice or creating a quick and easy chimichurri sauce to use on meat, seafood, and vegetables.

What is a good substitute for cilantro sauce? ›

Luckily, there are many substitutes for cilantro that are easily added to any recipe. Substitute cilantro with other herbs such as parsley, Thai basil, or dill. Lemon and lime are also good substitutes in a pinch as they mimic the bright flavor of cilantro.

Why do Mexicans eat so much cilantro? ›

Cilantro has found its home in Mexican cuisine. Its bright, fresh flavor blends perfectly with the bold flavors of popular Mexican dishes. Mexican dishes are often associated with spice, turning up the heat to provide an unmatched flavor profile. Cilantro turned out to be the best herb to pair with these bold flavors.

What is cilantro in at Chipotle? ›

White Rice. Every morning, we make our cilantro-lime white rice from scratch in each of our restaurants. We steam it with bay leaves to impart their herbal fragrance, then season it with lime and lemon juices and toss it with cilantro for its fresh, slightly tart flavor.

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