Cilantro Lime Taco Sauce
This vivid green sauce has the kind of limey bite that wakes up a taco. Jalapeño gives it a gentle push of heat without drowning out the fresh cilantro.

Recipe link
Prep time15 min
Cook time0 min
Total time45 MINUTES
- Course
- Condiments
- Cuisine
- Vegetarian Vegan
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Est. calories / serving
- 62
Ingredients
- 2 cups cilantro (roughly chopped)
- ¾ cup lime juice
- ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
- 2 jalapeños (small dice)
- ½ shallot (small dice)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup avocado oil
Instructions
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Roughly chop the cilantro, peel the garlic, and dice the shallot and jalapeños.2 cups cilantro, 2 jalapeños, ½ shallot, 4 cloves garlic
- Blend the Base: Add the cilantro, lime juice, rice wine vinegar, agave, jalapeños, shallot, garlic, and kosher salt to a blender. Blend until completely smooth.2 cups cilantro, ¾ cup lime juice, ¼ cup rice wine vinegar, 1 tbsp agave, 2 jalapeños, ½ shallot, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tsp kosher salt
- Emulsify the Sauce: With the blender running on low speed, slowly drizzle in the avocado oil until the sauce becomes smooth, creamy, and fully emulsified.½ cup avocado oil
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the sauce and adjust the salt, lime juice, or jalapeño to your preference.
- Chill: Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Heat Level: Remove the jalapeño seeds for a milder sauce or leave them in for extra heat.
- Emulsifying: Slowly adding the oil creates a silky sauce that stays blended longer.
- Storage: Store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Shake or stir before serving.
- Serving Suggestions: Drizzle over BBQ Tofu, Vegan Quinoa Bean Burgers, Southwest Quinoa Salad, tacos, burritos, grain bowls, or roasted vegetables.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
Yield
About 3 cups sauce — Serving size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories
- 62
- Carbohydrates
- 2 g
- Protein
- 0 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Saturated Fat
- 1 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat
- 1 g
- Monounsaturated Fat
- 5 g
- Cholesterol
- 0 mg
- Sodium
- 102 mg
- Potassium
- 38 mg
- Fiber
- 0 g
- Total Sugars
- 1 g
- Vitamin A
- 248 IU
- Vitamin C
- 6 mg
- Calcium
- 8 mg
- Iron
- 0.2 mg
Equipment
- Blender
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Chef's knife
- Cutting board
- Airtight storage container