Cilantro Lime Sauce is the shot of life your food needs! It’s bright, zesty, and impossible not to love. I always reach for it when I want to turn something simple into something special.
You’ll love how easy it is to make and how it instantly upgrades tacos, bowls, or even a boring bag of veggies. It is that good!
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It is perfect for those nights when you’re throwing together tacos or grilling up something simple and need a little extra flavor to, you know, make it pop. It’s great in the summer when everything’s fresh and light, but honestly, we still enjoy it during fall Taco Tuesdays.
Before you head into the recipe, you’ll want to check out our irresistible chimichurri sauce. And for an all-purpose condiment that goes with just about everything, see our bright and tangy honey mustard sauce.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe…
- You know those nights when you’re staring into the fridge, wondering how to make dinner less boring? This sauce is your answer. It’s a flavor bomb in minutes. The zingy lime, fresh cilantro, and creamy base come together so quickly. You’ll LOVE how it elevates up everything on your plate in just minutes.
- Like everyone’s favorite uncle, this sauce doesn’t play favorites. So, drizzle it over tacos, spoon it onto grilled chicken, mix it into grain bowls, or even use it as a salad dressing. It’s ridiculously versatile. Got a bag of baby carrots or some leftover roasted veggies? Dip them in, and boom, snack upgraded.
- Sometimes food can feel a little heavy, especially after a big meal. This sauce is like hitting the refresh button on your taste buds. It’s light and fresh. It adds a bright, citrusy vibe that feels like a mini tropical escape, even in the dead of winter. It’s perfect for summer cookouts but also a great way to brighten up comfort food in colder months.
- Ever have someone ask you, “What’s in this?” or “Can I have the recipe?” It makes you feel good! That’s what this simple but impressive sauce does for you. You make it with just a few basic ingredients, but the flavor feels so fancy.
Ingredients
Let’s take a look at the ingredients! They’re all straightforward and easy to find, so no wild goose chases at the store. I’ll explain why each one matters. You’ve probably got most of them already!
- Cilantro – The most forward flavor in this dish, cilantro brings a bright, fresh, and zesty flavor. Not to mention the attractive green color.
- Mayonnaise – Adds a creamy richness that ties all the flavors together.
- Sour Cream – Adds a tang flavor that balances the zesty lime and fresh cilantro.
- Lime – Adds a refreshing citrus brightness that only lime can add.
- Garlic – For that savory depth of flavor.
- Honey – Adds a touch of sweetness that balances all the tang from the lime, and sour cream. A little goes a long way.
- Salt
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Sauce
Combine sour cream, mayo, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, salt, and honey in a food processor.
Blend until smooth, transfer to an airtight container, and refrigerate until serving. Enjoy!
Top Tip
This recipe is very straightforward. Just add all of the ingredients to the food processor or blender and pulse until smooth. But if you have the time, let the sauce chill for 20–30 minutes before serving. It helps the flavors meld beautifully. Overnight is even better.
Equipment
We used our Cuisinart food processor to make this recipe. You can also use your blender.
Storage
Keep your cilantro lime sauce in an airtight container in the fridge, and it’ll stay fresh for up to a week. That’s assuming it lasts that long! Give it a quick stir before using, as it may separate a little while chilling.
FAQ
Absolutely! This sauce tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge, so feel free to make it a day or two in advance.
Not recommended. The texture may change once thawed due to the mayo and sour cream, so it’s best enjoyed fresh.
Yes! Use vegan mayo and sour cream, and you’re good to go. The flavor will still be delicious and creamy.
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Cilantro Lime Sauce Recipe
Save This Recipe for Later
I’ll email this recipe to you before you lose it forever. We’ve all done it.
Ingredients
- ⅔ Cup Sour Cream
- ⅓ Cup Mayo
- ½ Cup Cilantro Roughly Chopped
- 2 Tbsp Lime Juice About 1 Lime
- 1 Garlic Clove Minced
- ¼ Tsp Kosher Salt
- 1 Tbsp Honey
Instructions
- Add the sour cream, mayo, roughly chopped cilantro, lime juice, garlic, salt, and honey in a food processor.
- Blend until relatively smooth. Pour into an airtight container and refridgerate until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Notes
- I recommend making this sauce a day in advance. It tastes so good when you let the flavors marry.
- This recipe can easily be doubled.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
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