This creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce is bursting with fresh, zesty flavor and takes just minutes to make. Perfect as a dip, drizzle, or base for slaw, it adds a bright, tangy kick to tacos, grilled meats, salads, and more.
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Why This Recipe Works
Easy: With only a few ingredients, you can have this sauce made in no time.
Delicious: The bright lime and tangy cilantro flavors combine to make a dip you will have trouble to stop eating!
Versatile: This sauce is a favorite in our household. I love it on Mexican street tacos and tri-tip tacos, poured over baked halibut or fried cod, and mixed into cabbage to make a tasty broccoli slaw.
What You Need for This Recipe
- Green Onions- Green onions add a delicious onion flavor that isn't too overpowering. White onions have too much water in them, so it makes too think of a sauce.
- Cilantro- Fresh, bright green cilantro is best!
- Garlic Powder- I prefer garlic powder over fresh for salsa and dips like this because it adds a certain kick that fresh garlic just doesn't have.
- Limes- Fresh limes are best for this recipe! You need the juice and the zest!
- Sour Cream & Olive Oil- These make up the base of the dip and create a delicious smooth sauce!
This sauce is so simple to make! I love to use it on so many things, but it's also so tasty to just dip with chips!
Recently I mixed this into slaw and served it on my spicy shrimp tacos and it was delicious!
How to Make Cilantro Lime Sauce?
- Step 1: Add the ingredients to a food processor.
- Step 2: Blend until combined.
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- Step 3: Enjoy on your favorite tacos or as a dip!
Variations and Substitutions
- Spicy- Add a jalapeno or red pepper flakes to add a little heat!
- Onion- Use ¼ of a white onion instead of the green onions for a tasty but thinner sauce.
- Seasoning- Sometimes I like to add cumin and a little onion powder for a little extra flavor!
Frequently Asked Questions
Store sauce in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days in an air tight container.
This sauce is best eaten within 2 days for optimal freshness.
More Related Recipes
If you like this recipe, make sure to check out my chile relleno burrito, sour cream chicken enchiladas, beef fajita tacos, authentic red enchilada sauce, and these tasty chicken street tacos!
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Video
Cilantro Lime Sauce
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 cup green onions
- ½ cup cilantro
- 4 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 limes zested and juiced
- ½ cup sour cream
Instructions
- In a food processor combine all ingredients. Process until fully mixed. If you want a thinner sauce add water 1 tbs at a time until you get your desired consistency.¼ cup olive oil, 1 cup green onions, ½ cup cilantro, 4 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, 3 limes, ½ cup sour cream
Notes
- Regular White Onion- If you use regular white onion instead of green, add only ¼ cup, mix, and taste, then add more if you desire. Regular onions have a lot of water in them compared to green onions, so the sauce will be much thinner.
- How to store: Store sauce in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Sarah says
Hi there, just made your cilantro lime sauce, tastes great. My sauce does have a green color, maybe I prossest the cilantro too long. Will make again. Great for the leftover tri tip. Thank you so much
Lisa says
Yes the green would be from the cilantro 🙂 So glad you enjoyed it!
Shadra says
This was absolutely delicious! I can even see putting this on fish or everything for that matter. Highly recommend and very easy to make.
Lisa says
I am so glad you liked it!