Healthy Cilantro-Lime Sauce

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This Healthy Cilantro-Lime Sauce is creamy, zesty, and bursting with flavor—hard to believe it’s naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan!

Prep Time15

Soaking Cashews10

Total Time25

Course: Condiment, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Healthy, Vegan, Vegetarian

Keyword: Healthy Cilantro-Lime Dressing, healthy cilantro-lime sauce

Servings: cup

Author: Chelsea Lords

Cost: $3.12

Equipment

Blender I love this mini “Twister” jar for all sauces and dressings!

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

US - Metric

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.

Notes

Note 1: If you’d like a slightly sweeter sauce, add a drizzle of honey—perfect if your cilantro tastes a bit strong!

Note 2: Either a blender or a food proccesor works geat, but to get an ultra-smooth sauce, use a high-powered blender. In the food processor, you’ll have a slightly chunkier sauce since the cashews don’t always break down as nicely.

Nutrition Note: Nutrition information is based on the whole batch of sauce.

Storage: Store leftover cilantro-lime sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Give it a quick stir before using.

Nutrition