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    You Are Here: Home → Sauces

    Cilantro Garlic Sauce

    January 25, 2022 by Ryan Leave a Comment

    91 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    cilantro and garlic sauce in mason jar with spoon in front
    cilantro garlic sauce in jar
    close-up of cilantro garlic sauce in mason jar

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

    With just six ingredients, this cilantro garlic sauce recipe is simple to prepare, but packed with flavor, making it perfect to drizzle on anything.

    cilantro garlic sauce in jar

    I'm a huge fan of cilantro - from cilantro chimichurri sauce to cilantro lime vinaigrette.

    It's fresh, citrusy flavor makes it a perfect way to brighten up dishes. And this sauce is actually inspired by Pollo Tropical. If you've ever been, you know what I'm talking about and if you haven't, well you're missing out.

    You get a nice tang and base from the Greek yogurt, freshness from the cilantro, acid from the lime and a little heat from the fresh garlic. It really is a tasty sauce.

    It doesn't hurt that you can prepare it in 5 minutes.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Step-by-Step Photos
    • FAQs
    • Sauce Uses
    • Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
    • Other Sauce Recipes
    • Cilantro Garlic Sauce
    cilantro and garlic sauce in mason jar with spoon in front

    Ingredient Notes

    • Greek yogurt - adds the right amount of tang and works well in creating a creamy sauce. However you can substitute for sour cream, mayonnaise or a combination of both.
    • Cilantro - always use fresh.
    • Olive oil - adds some fat and flavor, while also helping emulsify everything together. You can also use another oil like avocado or vegetable oil.
    • Lime - gives the cilantro garlic sauce some brightness and acid.
    • Garlic - adds a nice pungent flavor. You can add more or less, depending on how much you like garlic.
    • Salt - enhances the flavor.

    Step-by-Step Photos

    Add all of the ingredients to the food processor. Pulse until it is smooth, but there are still some specs of cilantro.

    process shots of making sauce in food processor

    FAQs

    What if I Don't Like Cilantro?

    I know cilantro is one of those things you either love or hate. Some think it tastes like heaven (like me), while others think it tastes like soap. It actually comes down to your genes.

    If you have the gene that codes for the receptor that picks up scent of aldehyde chemicals then you won't like cilantro as it will smell/taste like soap.

    However even people who aren't fans of cilantro like this sauce.

    Can I Make Vegan?

    Yes. You can substitute cashew or almond yogurt for the Greek yogurt.

    How Long Does It Last?

    You can keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

    Can I Freeze?

    No. Since this is a dairy-based sauce, when you thaw it out it won't be very appealing.

    Sauce Uses

    This cilantro garlic sauce can be used in a ton of different ways. Some options include:

    • As a dip for shrimp empanadas
    • A light dressing for a pasta salad
    • Brushed on kebabs
    • Mixed in with roasted potatoes
    • On top of tacos

    Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

    • Add more or less cilantro depending on your preference.
    • If you like some heat, add half of jalapeño pepper.
    • Use quality olive oil as part of the taste comes from it.
    • For extra flavor, roast the garlic.
    • While store-bought bottles can be quite convenient, they lack in flavor compared to the real thing. It really isn’t that much extra work to freshly squeeze the lime and you’ll notice a difference in flavor.
    close-up of cilantro garlic sauce in mason jar

    Other Sauce Recipes

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      Easy Mole Sauce
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      Red Enchilada Sauce
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      Roasted Red Pepper Pesto
    • close-up of basil pistachio sauce in white ramekin
      Basil Pistachio Sauce

    If you’ve tried this cilantro garlic sauce recipe or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.

    cilantro and garlic sauce in mason jar with spoon in front
    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Cilantro Garlic Sauce

    With just six ingredients, this cilantro and garlic sauce is simple to prepare, but packed with flavor, making it perfect to drizzle on anything.
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Total Time5 minutes mins
    Course: Sauce
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Servings: 16
    Calories: 21kcal
    Author: Ryan Beck

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups Greek yogurt
    • ½ cup fresh cilantro
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 lime, juiced
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

    Instructions

    • Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until smooth with specs of cilantro. Store in refrigerator for 3-4 days.

    Notes

    • Add more or less cilantro depending on your preference.
    • If you like some heat, add half of jalapeño pepper.
    • Use quality olive oil as part of the taste comes from it.
    • For extra flavor, roast the garlic.
    • While store-bought bottles can be quite convenient, they lack in flavor compared to the real thing. It really isn’t that much extra work to freshly squeeze the lime and you’ll notice a difference in flavor.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 21kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 5mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g
    Did You Try This Recipe?I love seeing what you make so mention @ChiselandFork or tag #chiselandfork on Instagram and please give a star rating below!
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    Hey there! Welcome to Chisel & Fork, a blog with tasty recipes and DIY projects. I'm Ryan and here you'll find hundreds of recipes ranging from true comfort food to vegan. Oh and if you like woodworking, you might just find your next inspiration. Read More About Chisel & Fork…

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