Cilantro Jalapeño Sauce (in 10 Minutes!)

Name: Cilantro Jalapeño Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: ¼-⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream - see notes); 1 jalapeno (seeds removed for mild spice level); 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice; ¼-½ teaspoon salt (start with ¼, then adjust to taste); ⅛ teaspoon black pepper; 2 garlic cloves; 1 cup cilantro (roots trimmed, leaves and green stems); 2 persian cucumbers (or 4-inch English cucumber (optional - see notes))

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This 10-minute Cilantro Jalapeño Sauce is striking to the eye and palate, with the right balance of spicy, cooling, tangy and creamy notes. It's a versatile blender sauce best for spreading, dipping or dressing burritos, tacos, vegetables, kebabs, salads and more.

cilantro sauce in glass jar with cilantro sprigs in backgroud

If there was ever a sauce I could put on anything, it's definitely cilantro jalapeno sauce. It takes under 10 minutes to blend all the ingredients together - and I bet you already have them on hand.

I like to consider this cilantro sauce a mix between Indian hari chutney, Middle Eastern zhoug, Peruvian aji amarillo and Greek tzatziki. Talk about a cross between cultures!

The Best Spicy & Creamy Jalapeño Sauce Recipe

I was first inspired to make this sauce when I spotted a jar of cilantro sauce at Trader Joe's. But now it catches my eye every time I open my fridge. I always have it on hand because:

The ingredient list is short and it's ready in less than 10 minutes for a sauce you can make in no time and enjoy throughout the week.
The spice level is completely customizable since you can add none or all of the jalapeño seeds to suit your taste buds.
It's a recommended make-ahead recipe since the flavors get better while they marry together in the fridge.
It can be served as a dip, dressing, sauce or spread and pairs with just about any cuisine for a versatile condiment to call your own.

Ingredients - Notes & Substitutions

Simply gather together jalapeño and cilantro, along with yogurt, lime juice and garlic to make the classic version. Additionally, I like to add cucumbers to enhance the taste and texture of this sauce.

yogurt, cilantro, jalapeno, garlic, lime, salt — Ingredients for the classic version of Cilantro Jalapeño Sauce

Greek Yogurt: I love full-fat whole milk Greek yogurt for the extra creamy consistency, but 2%, 1% or nonfat all work. Sour cream is a wonderful replacement for its creamy and tangy flavor.
Jalapeño: The jalapeño adds the spice factor, so pick-and-choose the amount of seeds and ribs you'd like to keep intact. My family likes it spicy, so I add the entire pepper. Simply remove all the seeds and ribs for mild, or add only half for medium.
Lime Juice: Make sure to use fresh lime juice versus the bottled kind for a nice kick of fresh citrus flavor. Start with ½ lime and adjust to your liking from there.
Cilantro: For best results, trim off the bottom 2-inches of the cilantro root (as these are too bitter) and use the rest of the tender leaves and stems.
Cucumbers: Although the cucumber is optional, it's highly recommended. The cucumber adds the final cooling component and tames the spice of the jalapeño. I like Persian cucumbers, but a 4-inch piece of an English cucumber is a great substitute. I would not recommend American cucumbers since the skin and seeds are too bitter.

Spice Tip: Looking for a bit of warmth? Add ½ teaspoon roasted ground cumin along with the rest of the ingredients.

Step By Step Instructions for Cilantro Jalapeño Sauce Recipe

All you need is 8 ingredients and a blender to have this sauce ready and waiting in 10 minutes.

Blender Tip: Always add the wet ingredients first. This gives a little help to the blender and takes less time to blend smoothly.

Fill the blender: Add the Greek yogurt, jalapeño, lime juice, salt, pepper and garlic to a blender (Pic 1).
Add cilantro and blend: Top with the cilantro sprigs (Pic 2). Blend to a smooth consistency using the smoothie setting on your blender. (Note: The sauce is ready to chill or serve at this point, if you don't wish to add cucumber.)
Add cucumber: Add cucumber cut into 1-inch pieces and blend for a few more seconds, until they break down into the sauce (Pic 3).
Finish and chill: Adjust seasoning and chill sauce til ready to serve (Pic 4).

four step grid for making cilantro jalapeno blender sauce — Step by step process shots for making Cilantro Jalapeño Sauce

Serving Suggestions - Sauce, Dip & Dressing

I try to make this sauce weekly for a truly versatile dip, sauce or dressing to add color and nutrition to meat, veggies, salads, tacos, burritos and more. My favorite ways to serve are:

Sauce: Spooning it on top of Paneer Tikka, Burrito Bowls, Chicken Tinga Tacos, Black Bean Burgers and Bombay Potatoes.
Dip: Serving it alongside Chicken Kebabs, Samosa Jalapeño Poppers, Cheese Straws, French Fries, Garlic Naan or fresh cut vegetables.
Dressing: Thinning it out with a little bit of olive oil and tossing it with leafy green salads.

Make-Ahead & Storage Instructions

The flavor of the pureed sauce might taste pungent and bitter immediately after blending on occasion. For best results, make the sauce 30 minutes to 1 hour ahead of serving and keep it covered in the fridge.

The creamy cilantro sauce keeps best in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Variation to Try

To make a creamy, slightly sweeter version of this sauce, substitute yogurt with mayonnaise. It makes for a great spread on Chicken Masala Burgers!

Recipe Tips & Notes:

Use Greek yogurt or sour cream as the dairy component. I already had Greek yogurt on hand, but sour cream offers the same tangy, creamy flavor and consistency.
Adjust the spice level to your liking. I use the entirety of the jalapeño pepper, seeds and ribs included. Remove the seeds and ribs for a mild spice level or use half for medium.
Add cucumber, if desired. The cucumber is not required, but it sure is recommended. It adds a wonderful cooling component that reduces the heat level of the jalapeño. Persian or English cucumbers work best for their mild, sweet flavor. American cucumbers are too bitter.
Use a blender or food processor. I use my Blendtec set to smoothie mode and blend just until the sauce comes together. Feel free to use a food processor instead.
Add a touch of cumin for depth of flavor. It adds a wonderful warming, earthy flavor.
The flavor of the sauce will mellow over time. I like to make the sauce at least 30 minutes to one hour ahead of time to tame the bite and bitterness.
Store for up to one week. Keep it in a sealed glass jar or airtight container in the fridge.

Cilantro Jalapeño Sauce FAQ

What is cilantro sauce made of?

Cilantro sauce contains 8 basic ingredients, including yogurt, jalapeno, lime juice, salt, pepper, garlic, cilantro and cucumbers.

Can I make this sauce with mayonnaise?

Yes! Simply replace the yogurt with an equal amount of mayonnaise. It will be just as creamy, but slightly sweeter.

More Condiment & Sauce Recipes From My Kitchen

Green Chutney: An irresistible mildly spicy sauce made with fresh cilantro, green chillies, ginger, lime juice, cumin and a touch of honey.
Mint Chutney: A bright and cooling 10-minute blender recipe to serve with crispy Indian snacks, tandoori dishes, kebabs, idli, dosa, sandwiches and more.
Cucumber Raita: A creamy and crunchy side made with seasoned yogurt and green cucumbers, that acts as a cooling accompaniment to many Indian meals.
Cilantro Coconut Chutney: A combination of peppery cilantro, sweet coconut, spicy serrano and a unique finishing touch of tempered spices for a vibrant side dish.
Easy Tzatziki Sauce: A wonderful chilled sauce, spread, dip or dressing for grilled meats, gyros, vegetables, salads and warm pita.
Avocado Yogurt Dip: A lusciously smooth and creamy dip thanks to ripe avocados and yogurt that's pleasantly seasoned with Indian spices.
Creamy Avocado Dressing: A 5-minute avocado sauce that you can easily blend together and drizzle over rice, eggs, burritos, tacos, nachos or your favorite greens!

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