This cilantro garlic sauce is creamy, herby, and packed with flavor-an easy way to elevate tacos, grilled meats, roasted veggies, and more. It comes together in minutes with a few simple ingredients for a cool, creamy sauce that works as a dip, drizzle, or spread.
What's great about this recipe
- Quick and easy - Just a handful of ingredients and a blender is all you need. It's ready in minutes.
- Full of flavor - The combo of fresh cilantro, garlic, and creamy ingredients makes this sauce bold, herby, and refreshing.
- Super versatile - Use it as a dip, drizzle, or spread. It works with tacos, grilled meats, veggies, and more.
- Budget-friendly - Made with everyday ingredients you might already have on hand-maybe even your own homegrown cilantro. No special trip to the store required!
Ingredients
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Mayonnaise - Adds body and a creamy touch to the sauce, giving it that rich texture that clings perfectly to whatever you're drizzling or dipping.
Sour Cream - Keeps things cool and refreshing. It lightens up the mayo and adds a little tang that balances out the garlic and herbs.
Fresh Cilantro - The star of the show! Cilantro brings a bright, herby flavor that makes this sauce pop. Chop it finely so it blends in nice and smooth.
Garlic - Just one clove is enough to bring a punch of flavor. It gives the sauce that savory kick without overpowering the other ingredients.
Seasoning (Salt and Black Pepper) - A little seasoning ties everything together. Salt enhances all the flavors, and black pepper adds a subtle warmth.
📖See the recipe card for quantities and preparation.
How to make cilantro garlic sauce
- Add everything to a small blender - Combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, chopped cilantro, garlic, salt, and pepper. A small blender like a Nutribullet works great here.
- Blend until smooth - Blend until the sauce is creamy and well combined. You may need to stop once or twice to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula.
Taste and adjust - Give it a quick taste and add more salt if needed. As a reference, we didn't need to add any extra to ours. Chill until ready to use - Transfer the sauce to a container and refrigerate until you're ready to serve. Give it a good stir before using.
Serving Suggestions
This cilantro garlic sauce is super versatile! Serve it as a dip, drizzle, or spread-whatever fits the moment.
Great dippers: Plantain chips, tostones, tortilla chips, or yuca frita.
Perfect pairings for mains: Drizzle over grilled chicken, fish, or shrimp. It's especially good with tacos, rice bowls, roasted vegetables, or even sandwiches and wraps.
You can also use it as a dipping sauce for Cuban empanadas, fries, or anything fried and crispy-it adds a cool, creamy contrast that works with so many dishes.
Recipe Tips and Notes
- The sauce will thicken as it chills. Give it a good stir before serving to bring it back to a smooth consistency.
- Adjust the garlic to taste. Raw garlic has a strong flavor-start with half a clove if you're sensitive to it, or add more if you love a good garlic kick.
- If you're pairing this with salty foods like chips, seasoned meats, or fried sides, go easy on the salt at first. You can always add more.
- Chop the cilantro finely for better blending. It helps the blender along and makes the sauce extra smooth.
Substitutions and Variations
- Adjust the cilantro - For a more intense herb flavor, add an extra tablespoon or two. For something milder, scale back slightly.
- Lighter option - Try light mayo and/or sour cream. Low-fat versions of both ingredients work well. The texture might be a little thinner, but the flavor still holds up.
- Make it spicy - Add a pinch of crushed red pepper, a dash of hot sauce, or a small piece of jalapeño before blending for a little heat.
- Add a splash of lime juice - For extra brightness and a tangy twist, a squeeze of fresh lime works nicely. Just don't add too much or it may water down the sauce.
Storing instructions
Store cilantro garlic sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freezing is not recommended-the mayo and sour cream may separate and affect the texture once thawed.
Always use a clean utensil when scooping out the sauce to help it stay fresh and safe. Don't leave the sauce out at room temperature for more than 2 hours-or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F. Discard any sauce that's been left out longer.
For more information on food storage and safety guidelines, visit U.S. Department of Agriculture and foodsafety.gov.
If you love this cilantro garlic sauce, be sure to check out some of our other sauces, dressings, and dips for more easy ways to add flavor to your meals. A few favorites to try next are creamy chipotle sauce, fresh chimichurri sauce for steak, chicken, and more, and blue cheese dressing, because what are wings without it?
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📖 Recipe
Cilantro Garlic Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- 2-3 tablespoons Fresh Cilantro stems removed, finely chopped
- 1 Garlic Clove grated or minced
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- Optional Serving Ideas: plantain chips, tortilla chips, tostones, or yuca frita.
Instructions
- Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, cilantro, garlic, salt, and pepper to a small blender (such as a Nutribullet).
- Blend until the sauce is smooth, stopping once or twice to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed. As a reference, we did not add any extra salt to ours.
- Refrigerate until ready to use. Stir well before serving.
Notes
- The sauce thickens as it chills-stir well before serving.
- Raw garlic has a strong flavor. Start with half a clove if you prefer a milder taste.
- Go easy on the salt if serving with salty foods like chips or seasoned meats.
- Finely chopping the cilantro helps the sauce blend smooth.
- Low-fat mayo or sour cream can be used, but the texture may be slightly thinner.
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Nutrition
The nutritional information above is computer generated and is only an estimate. There is no guarantee that it is accurate. This data is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only.
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