Jalapeno cilantro sauce

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Enhance your backyard grilling experience with this jalapeño cilantro sauce. It's smoky, spicy, and packed with a punch that could instantly elevate the deliciousness in any meal .

Summer always brings out a bountiful variety of herbs and spices, and cilantro is one such valuable gift from nature. Cilantro has a unique refreshing flavor and it works excellent in this hot cilantro sauce recipe.

jalapeno cilantro sauce is placed in a bowl

Not only that, cilantro and jalapeño are a classic flavor combination that pair extremely well together.

With summer already here, it's the perfect time to incorporate refreshing flavors into your dishes and try out this delicious jalapeno cilantro sauce(like this green taco sauce, pineapple jalapeno sauce.

This recipe is very simple and straightforward. All you need to do is gather the ingredients and blend them in a food processor. That’s it, a delicious, flavorful, side dish ready in minutes effortlessly.

If you do not have cilantro handy, refer to this boom boom sauce, shishito pepper dipping sauce.

Why we love this recipe

Flavorful. The complex flavors of the sauce are highly addictive and add depth to any dish.

Versatile. With this recipe as a base, numerous variations are possible, and each one tastes delicious in its own right.

Customizable. Whether you're looking for a mildly spiced sauce or a super spicy one, this jalapeno cilantro sauce recipe is for you. You can control the level of heat by increasing or decreasing the quantity of jalapeños.

Homemade. Homemade sauces are always better as we can alter the ingredients to suit our individual preferences,

Simple ingredients. And the ingredients are simple and easy to find, with most of them possibly already in your refrigerator.

Ingredients needed for this recipe

Jalapeno. I have used fresh jalapeno peppers. However, You can use pickled, or roasted jalapeños as well. However, it's worth noting that every addition of a different variety of jalapeño pepper will result in an incomparably delicious and unique flavor.

You can also adjust the heat of the sauce by removing the seeds and membranes along with the peppers.

If you're a beginner or sensitive towards chili peppers, wear a pair of gloves to avoid any skin burns or irritations.

Cilantro. Cilantro makes this spicy jalapeno sauce fresh and vibrant with its unique color and the taste.

Garlic. Garlic is a flavor booster that intensifies the overall taste of the sauce.

Lime juice. It balances all the ingredients and gives a burst of citrusy note to the dish.

creamy, delicious hot cilantro sauce in a white bowl

How to make

In a food processor/blender, add roughly chopped cilantro, jalapeno pepper, and garlic.

Pulse it until these ingredients are finely chopped.

Now add mayonnaise, sour cream, and lime juice. And blend until the mixture turns to a smoother consistency.

Transfer this jalapeno cilantro sauce to a bowl and refrigerate it for at least 20 minutes to 2 hours to allow the flavors to develop and meld with each other.

And enjoy as a dip for chips or vegetables, or a dressing for salad, or as a sauce for taco or grilled meat.

How to serve jalapeño cilantro sauce

As we've already discussed, this sauce is highly customizable and a very versatile good to enjoy in many different ways. Here are a few of my favorite serving ideas.

Dipping sauce. Serve this jalapeño cilantro sauce along with tortilla chips, pita bread, or fresh cut vegetables.

Topping. Drizzle this hot cilantro sauce over tacos(love with this Street Tacos) or use it as a spread for sandwiches and burgers. Then stack them over with other toppings like avocado, tomato, onion, and lettuce for a satisfying meal.

Marinade. Use this sauce as a marinade for meats and vegetables.

Salad dressing. Whisk with extra lime juice or water to make a spicy salad dressing that acts as a burst of flavor to any salad.

tasty jalapeno cilantro dip in a bowl with tortilla chips

Variations

Lighter condiment option. Substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a creamy, tangy, for a lighter version of this sauce.

Olive oil. Replace mayo and Greek yogurt with olive oil. This jalapeno cilantro sauce variation also works great for marinating the meat.

Avocado. For a creamier consistency and a pleasant green color, add a ripe avocado along with the ingredients of this recipe and blend it together. This variation also adds a delicious taste to the sauce.

Tropical fruit. To add tropical flavor to the sauce, add half a cup of diced pineapple along with the other ingredients. This variation is perfect for those who enjoy a sweet and spicy combination. Swapping with mango also tastes yum(like this spicy mango sauce).

Roasted jalapeño. Instead of using fresh jalapeños, try using roasted or pickled jalapeños for a totally different flavor. It's worth trying out this variation as it can add a unique smoky or tangy taste to the sauce.

How to store jalapeno cilantro sauce

Refrigerator. Store the jalapeño cilantro sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Freezer. This dish does not stays well in the freezer, as the mayonnaise turns grainy when thawed.

Frequently asked questions

Is this jalapeño cilantro sauce spicy?

The heat level of jalapeno cilantro sauce can also depend on how we add the jalapeno peppers to this recipe.
If we add the jalapeno peppers flesh only(without its seeds or core), the sauce falls on the milder side. And vice versa.

Can you make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes, It's a great make-ahead friendly recipe. In fact, allowing the sauce to sit in the refrigerator makes the flavors meld together. As the ingredients in this recipe varies highly in the texture, make a quick whisk to combine all the ingredients together.

How can I adjust the spiciness of this sauce?

To adjust the heat level of jalapeno cilantro sauce, remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeno peppers for a milder flavor, or add more jalapeno peppers (with the seeds and membranes intact) for a spicier flavor.

Do I need to remove the stem of the cilantro before adding to the recipe?

The cilantro stems can be added to jalapeno cilantro sauce if they are tender and soft. However, if the stems are thicker or more mature, it's best to remove and discard them as they can be tough to blend.

Recommended tools for making this recipe

Food Processor. This appliance will help you turn your fresh cilantro, jalapeno, and garlic into a fine mix, then incorporate the creamier ingredients into a smooth jalapeno cilantro sauce.

Sharp Knife. You'll need a sharp knife to roughly chop main ingredients before placing them in the food processor.

Measuring Spoons. These will ensure you add just the right amount of mayo, sour cream, and lime juice to your sauce.

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