This Healthy Cilantro Lime Sauce is thick, creamy, and ridiculously flavorful! It’s hard to believe this is a naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan sauce, but it is!
Healthy Cilantro Lime Sauce
My original Cilantro Lime Sauce is a go-to on so many recipes. I almost always have a batch of it in the fridge. Whether we’re drenching Shrimp Tacos, Baked Chicken Tacos, or Air Fryer Chickpeas, everyone goes crazy for it!
But through the years of sharing recipes using this sauce, I’ve received countless emails or comments asking how to make it a bit healthier or how to make it without the mayo.
Well, I finally rose to the challenge and after a few weeks of testing, I am so thrilled with the result — I can’t wait for you all to try it!
Quick Tip
The ingredients in this Healthy Cilantro-Lime Sauce are naturally gluten free, but make sure to check all your ingredient labels to be sure they weren’t processed in a facility with gluten.
Ingredients
Here’s a quick breakdown of the ingredients in this Healthy Cilantro-Lime Sauce:
| Ingredient | Tip or Swap |
|---|---|
| Fresh limes | Zest with a microplane and juice with a citrus juicer. Avoid the white pith since it can be bitter. |
| Minced garlic | Use jarred, frozen, or fresh. Any of them will work. |
| Fresh cilantro | Loosely pack in a measuring cup to get the right amount. |
| Jalapeño | Remove seeds and ribs for less heat or leave them in if you want it spicy. |
| Cashews | Use raw cashews for the creamiest texture. |
| Olive oil | Extra-virgin olive oil gives the best flavor. |
| Water | Helps thin the sauce so it blends smooth. It won’t water down the flavor. |
| Salt and pepper | Adjust to your taste. A pinch more can make all the difference. |
How To Make This Healthy Cilantro-Lime Sauce
Add everything to a blender or food processor and blend. Here are some tips!
- Use a blender for a smoother sauce. A food processor makes it a bit chunkier.
- Soak cashews for the smoothest texture.
- Chill before serving for the best flavor.
- Add honey if the cilantro tastes too sharp.
How To Use Homemade Cilantro-Lime Sauce
- Drizzle this sauce on all kinds of tacos, quesadillas, or burritos — think steak tacos, fish tacos, black bean quesadillas, healthy burrito, or chicken tacos!
- Add to a bowl: Use on these Cilantro Lime Shrimp bowls, Honey-Lime Chicken, or Taco Bowls.
- Drizzle on grilled protein: Boost flavor by adding on some grilled chicken, our favorite Grilled Fajita Chicken, or over grilled flank steak.
- Get a rotisserie chicken to serve over this tasty Mexican rice and drizzle everything with Healthy Cilantro-Lime Sauce.
- Vegetarian uses: We love drizzling this sauce over these Mexican Chickpeas, over these Vegetarian Fajitas, or on these Vegetarian Tacos.
Storage
Store leftover healthy cilantro-lime sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Give it a quick stir before using.
More Homemade Dressing Recipes:
Dressings
Lemon Vinaigrette
Dressings
Cafe Rio Salad Dressing
Salad Dressings
Tahini Dressing
Dressings
Green Goddess Dressing Recipe
Healthy Cilantro-Lime Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons seeded and coarsely chopped jalapeño
- 1/2 cup raw cashews
- 1 large lime zest and juice
- 1-1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/3 cup water
- Salt and pepper
- Honey optional, see note 1
Instructions
- Place cashews in a heatproof bowl, pour 1 cup of boiling water over them, and let stand for 10 minutes to 1 hour. Drain and dry thoroughly.
- Add cashews and remaining ingredients to a small blender or food processor (see note 2). Add 1 tsp lime zest and 2 tbsp lime juice. Season with salt and pepper (I add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper). Blend until smooth.
- Place in the fridge to chill and let the flavors meld. The sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated; just stir before serving. If it thickens, add a bit more lime juice to thin it.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
