This easy 5-minute creamy cilantro lime sauce recipe brightens up any dish with its vibrant color and fresh tangy, herby, zesty flavor. Use it as a sauce, salad dressing, marinade, or even as a stand-alone dip!
I always love a good homemade sauce or salad dressing, and this cilantro lime sauce happens to be both! It truly is one of my all-time favorite recipes and it comes together quickly in the blender. And with no sour cream or Greek yogurt, it is completely dairy-free.
I love drizzling this sauce on salads, quinoa, roasted veggies and basically any Mexican dish to add some tangy and zesty flavor. It is so incredibly versatile that you'll always want to have some on hand in the fridge. Trust me!
About this Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce
Cilantro lime sauce is the jack-of-all-trades condiment to boost pretty much every dish. It is made using just 8 ingredients and a blender.
The star of this dish, of course, is cilantro. Cilantro is a fresh herb that is popular in salsa and guacamole as well as salads. Its leaves are actually 92% water and contain vitamins A, C and K.
In the majority of dishes featuring cilantro, the stems are removed and only the fresh leaves are included. In this sauce, however, we use the entire herb, including the stems. The blender (or food processor) breaks them down instantly so you won't even notice.
Ingredients
- Cilantro
- Raw unsalted cashews, soaked
- Water
- Lime
- Maple syrup
- White distilled vinegar
- Garlic
- Salt
- Jalapeño (optional)
Instructions
The entire process from start to finish takes 5 minutes, and the majority of that time is simply getting the ingredients out!
- Blend the ingredients. Add all ingredients except for the cilantro to a blender and blend until perfectly smooth. If a thinner consistency is desired, add additional water or blend ¼ cup of crushed ice (instead of the added water) so you can serve it chilled.
- Add the cilantro to the blender. Pulse a couple times to incorporate the cilantro so no whole leaves remain (or blend fully if desired).
Helpful Tips:
- Blend the cilantro separately at the end to allow for the pretty tiny flecks of cilantro you see pictured.
- Add crushed ice to the blender if serving immediately as the sauce is best when served cold.
- Add jalapeño for some heat. I love spicing it up a little, but usually omit it because my kids love this sauce as well!
Serving Suggestions
It would be impossible to list every dish this sauce goes with because it is just that versatile. Here are some of my favorites:
- Crispy Smashed Potatoes
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Crispy Socca
- Vegan Summer Rolls
- Sweet Potato Quinoa Tots
- Mango Avocado Quinoa Salad with Toasted Pepitas
I never make my vegan taco bowl, fajitas, burrito bowls, tacos, sheet pan nachos, enchiladas, tostadas or baked taquitos without this sauce. It is also wonderful in my rainbow hummus veggie wraps and my Mexican stuffed sweet potatoes. I use it as a garnish for soups and chilis like my black bean soup, pumpkin chili and three bean chili. I also love to mix it with shredded cabbage to make a zesty coleslaw.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I would not recommend freezing as it definitely tastes best when fresh!
All About Cashews
If cilantro is the star of this dish, cashews are the best supporting actor. This sauce tastes like a cilantro lime crema without the use of mayonnaise, sour cream or yogurt, making it completely dairy-free. The creaminess actually comes from cashews.
The trick to transforming cashews into a creamy sauce ingredient is to soak them in water. The cashews will absorb the water and soften so that they blend easily to the point where you can use them to create vegan sour cream, cashew cream or even cashew milk.
In addition, raw cashews offer plant-based protein and are also incredibly nutrient dense (copper, magnesium, manganese, vitamin K, phosphorous and zinc), which helps explain why they are so beneficial for vegans.
Cilantro Sauce Variations
Here are two of my other favorite cilantro sauces (both vegan):
I'd love to hear from you after you make this sauce! Please tag me on Instagram so I can see your creations, and don't forget to drop a review below!
Print
Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce in 5 minutes (vegan)
- Total Time: 5 minutes
Description
This easy 5-minute creamy cilantro lime sauce recipe brightens up any dish with its vibrant color. Use it as a sauce, salad dressing, marinade, or even as a stand-alone dip!
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw unsalted cashews, soaked
- ½ cup water
- 2 limes, juiced
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
- 1 large clove of garlic
- ¾ teaspoon fine salt
- 1-inch of jalapeño to make it spicy (optional)
- 1 cup fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Blend the ingredients. Add all ingredients except for the cilantro to a blender and blend until perfectly smooth. If a thinner consistency is desired, add additional water or blend ¼ cup of crushed ice (instead of the added water).
- Add the cilantro to the blender. Pulse a couple times to incorporate the cilantro so no whole leaves remain (or blend fully if desired).
Equipment
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Notes
This sauce can be served immediately but is best served cold. If serving immediately, blending ¼ cup of crushed ice will cool it down instantly. If not serving immediately, refrigerate overnight.
- Prep Time: 4
- Cook Time: 1
Keywords: cilantro lime sauce
Bobby Gordon says
Sara Welch says
This was such a quick and easy recipe that does not disappoint! Turned out perfectly creamy, easy and delicious!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Sara! So happy to hear you enjoyed it so much!
Dina and Bruce says
Wow, a punch of flavor! Served over shrimp!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed it so much and it added the flavor boost you needed! Best, Elaine
Gina says
This was easy to make and fantastic. I really enjoyed it over my salad. Keeping this on hand to try on other meals!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Gina! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed it so much with your salad and plan to use for other meals. It is definitely versatile!
Gianne says
It has a smooth texture and a tangy taste with hints of cilantro and lime. It adds a refreshing burst of flavor to any dish, making it a must-try for vegans.
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Gianne! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed this one so much! Best, Elaine
Kushigalu says
This sauce looks amazingly delicious. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Kushigalu! I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you for the five star review too! Best, Elaine