This creamy Avocado Cilantro Sauce is a quick, vibrant, and versatile condiment that brings fresh flavor to any meal.
Packed with healthy fats from avocado and plant-based protein from yogurt, it’s low in saturated fat and high in fiber.
Perfect for dipping, drizzling, or dressing, it’s an effortless, everyday option for those seeking nutritious, satisfying, and crowd-pleasing flavor.
Creamy Avocado Cilantro Sauce
Equipment
- 1 small blender or food processor
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 cup cilantro leaves with stems
- ½ ripe avocado
- ¼ cup plain yogurt plant-based for vegan option
- ½ lime juiced
- Small piece of jalapeño adjust to taste
- ½ garlic clove
- ½ tsp salt
- Pinch black pepper
- ¼ –½ cup warm water or neutral oil to thin consistency
Instructions
- Prep the Ingredients: Start by gathering all your ingredients. Rinse the cilantro leaves thoroughly under cold water, making sure to remove any dirt or grit. Gently pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Slice your avocado in half, remove the pit, and scoop the creamy flesh into a small bowl. Juice the lime, ensuring no seeds fall into the juice. Peel the garlic clove and get your jalapeño ready—remember, the spiciness can be adjusted according to your preference.
- Chop and Measure: Roughly chop the cilantro, garlic, and jalapeño to make blending easier. Even though the blender will do most of the work, smaller pieces ensure a smoother sauce. Measure out ¼ cup of plain yogurt. If you’re making a vegan version, plant-based yogurt like soy, almond, or coconut yogurt works beautifully.
- Combine in Blender or Food Processor: Place the chopped cilantro, avocado, garlic, jalapeño, yogurt, lime juice, salt, and black pepper into your small blender or food processor. It’s important to add ingredients in this order so the avocado blends evenly and the flavors meld together nicely.
- Blend Until Smooth: Turn on your blender or food processor and process the ingredients until they form a smooth, creamy sauce. Stop occasionally to scrape down the sides with a spatula to ensure even blending. Taste the sauce at this stage, and adjust the jalapeño if you’d like more or less heat.
- Adjust Consistency: If the sauce seems too thick for your liking, gradually add warm water or a neutral oil, such as avocado or grapeseed oil, a tablespoon at a time. Blend again until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. For a dipping sauce, a slightly thicker texture works best. For a salad dressing, aim for a thinner, pourable consistency.
- Taste and Season: Taste your sauce carefully and adjust seasoning as needed. Add a little extra salt, pepper, or lime juice to balance flavors. If the garlic taste is too strong, a quick splash of lime juice can mellow it slightly.
- Serve Immediately: Transfer your avocado cilantro sauce to a small bowl or jar. Serve immediately as a dip for fresh vegetables, chips, or as a topping for tacos, bowls, or grilled meats. The bright green color and creamy texture make it instantly appealing on any plate.
- Storage and Shelf Life: If you have leftovers, store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for 3–5 days. To minimize browning caused by oxidation, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the sauce and seal tightly. Adding a little extra lime juice before serving can help restore the fresh green color.
- Tips and Variations: For a milder garlic flavor, you can roast the garlic lightly or soak the chopped garlic in lime juice for about 30 minutes before blending. If you don’t have cilantro on hand, parsley or basil can be used as a substitute, though the flavor will be slightly different. You can also use olive oil instead of water to create a richer, smoother sauce that’s perfect for drizzling over salads or bowls. To adjust the spiciness, leave out the jalapeño seeds for a milder sauce or include them for an extra kick.
Notes
- Feel free to use lemon juice instead of lime juice for a slightly different tangy flavor.
- Raw garlic can be strong; roasting it lightly or soaking it in lime juice for 30 minutes mellows the taste.
- Plant-based or Greek yogurt works equally well, depending on your dietary preference.
- Parsley or basil can replace cilantro if needed, though the flavor profile will change.
- Adjust the thickness by adding warm water for a lighter consistency or oil for a creamier texture.
- Jalapeño seeds determine the heat level: remove them for a mild sauce or leave them in for spicier flavor.
Chef’s Secrets To Perfect Sauce
The secret to an ultra-creamy and vibrant avocado cilantro sauce starts with using ripe, fresh avocado.
Overripe or underripe avocados can make the texture grainy or less smooth.
When blending, always pulse ingredients first before running the blender continuously; this ensures even mixing and prevents the sauce from becoming watery.
Fresh lime juice is preferable to bottled for the best flavor and to prevent oxidation.
Additionally, layering flavors by letting chopped garlic and lime juice sit together for a few minutes before blending can create a more balanced and mellow taste.
Lastly, using a neutral oil instead of water can give the sauce a richer mouthfeel, especially if it will be used as a dressing.
Serving Suggestions For Every Meal
This avocado cilantro sauce is remarkably versatile and complements a wide variety of dishes.
Serve it as a dip for fresh vegetables, tortilla chips, or pita bread for a quick snack.
It makes an excellent topping for tacos, grilled chicken, or fish, adding a burst of fresh flavor without overwhelming the main dish.
You can drizzle it over salads, grain bowls, or roasted vegetables as a creamy dressing.
Even a simple baked potato becomes extraordinary with a generous spoonful of this sauce.
Its mild heat and fresh citrus notes make it suitable for both family-friendly meals and more sophisticated dinner plates.
Storage Tips For Best Freshness
To preserve the bright green color and fresh taste, store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface to minimize exposure to air, which causes browning.
The sauce will keep for 3–5 days; however, a little extra lime juice before serving can restore its vibrant appearance.
Avoid freezing if possible, as the texture can become watery upon thawing.
If using the sauce as a dressing, give it a quick stir before serving, as ingredients may naturally separate over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make this sauce vegan?
Yes! Simply use plant-based yogurt, such as almond, soy, or coconut yogurt, instead of dairy yogurt. The flavor and texture remain creamy and delicious, making it completely plant-friendly.
2. How spicy is this sauce?
The heat depends on your choice of jalapeño and whether you include the seeds. For mild flavor, remove the seeds; for medium heat, include a few seeds. You can always add more jalapeño gradually to reach your preferred spice level.
3. Can I substitute cilantro?
Absolutely. Parsley or basil can be used if cilantro isn’t available, though the taste will differ slightly. Parsley keeps the sauce fresh and herbaceous, while basil adds a sweet, aromatic note.
4. How do I prevent browning?
Browning happens due to oxidation from the avocado. Pressing plastic wrap directly on the surface and storing in an airtight container helps. Adding a little extra lime juice before serving also preserves the green color.
5. Can I use this sauce as a salad dressing?
Yes, it works beautifully as a dressing. Thin it with a little warm water or olive oil until it reaches a pourable consistency. It adds creamy, zesty flavor to any salad or grain bowl without overpowering other ingredients.
