Creamy Jalapeño Sauce (5-Minutes!)
A good sauce can turn any meal from “meh” to memorable, and this Creamy Jalapeño Sauce does just that! Bright, tangy, and a little spicy, it’s ready in just five minutes. I keep this cilantro jalapeño sauce on hand for tacos, bowls, roasted veggies, or basically anything that needs a flavor boost. Once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever ate a meal without it!
I actually discovered this recipe a few years ago on social media, inspired by SheyCooks’ cilantro jalapeño ranch. I kept making it without the ranch powder because I rarely have it on hand, and it turns out that using whole, fresh ingredients produces something I started to like even better!
Now, I put this cilantro jalapeño sauce on everything. Fries? Yep. Tacos? Definitely. Grain bowls, grilled veggies, sandwiches, you name it. This jalapeño cilantro sauce always comes in clutch, and makes your meals (and your bowls) absolutely delicious! I love serving it with my steak taco bowls.
I made it extra creamy by using both mayo and Greek yogurt, then I added fresh cilantro, tangy lime juice, and jalapeño for some spice. It’s bold without being overpowering, which makes it perfect for using on loads of things, all week long!
Why You’ll Love This 5-Minute Creamy Jalapeno Sauce
- Ready in minutes – Just 5 minutes and a blender, and you’ve got a flavorful sauce.
- Versatile flavor – Bright, tangy, and slightly spicy, it works on tacos, bowls, grilled meats, and as a dip.
- Fresh ingredients – No ranch powder needed, just garlic, lime, cilantro, and jalapeño.
- Customizable heat – Easily adjust the spice level by removing seeds or adding more jalapeño.
- Keeps well – Stored in the fridge, it lasts for up to a week, perfect for meal prep!
Cilantro Jalapeño Cream Sauce Ingredients
- Low-fat mayonnaise: Keeps things creamy and rich without feeling heavy.
- Plain Greek yogurt: Adds tang and a bit of protein. It gives the sauce its perfect texture!
- Garlic cloves: A couple of cloves go a long way in giving that depth of flavor.
- Jalapeño: Bring on the spice! Deseed it for a milder kick, or leave some seeds in if you love heat. I always use fresh jalapenos, but pickled jalapenos would work, too!
- Lime juice: I always recommend using fresh lime juice! It brightens everything up and balances the richness, add more if you want extra acidity.
- Cilantro: The star of the show! Fresh, herby, and vibrant.
- Salt: To enhance all the flavors!
- Olive oil: Used to thin the sauce to your desired consistency and add a little extra silkiness.
Creamy Jalapeño Sauce Variations & Substitutions
- Creamy Base: Use sour cream instead of Greek yogurt for a richer, tangier sauce.
- Spices: Add 1/4 tsp cumin or smoked paprika for extra depth.
- Pepper: Substitute jalapeño with serrano peppers for more heat.
- Make it vegan: Swap mayo for vegan mayonnaise and yogurt for plant-based yogurt. You can even add an avocado in this case to make it extra creamy!
How to Make Creamy Jalapeno Dip
For the full ingredients list and instructions, click here.- Prep the Jalapeño: For a milder heat, deseed the jalapeño and remove the white pith inside.
- Combine in a Food Processor: Add all ingredients into a food processor or blender.
- Blend: Blend until smooth. Taste test for acid and salt. If it needs a little more tanginess, add some more lime. If it needs more salt, add a pinch more and blend. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
How to Adjust the Spice Level of Cilantro Jalapeno Sauce
Whether you want a mild or spicy sauce, here’s how to adjust it to your liking:
- Remove seeds and white pith from the jalapeño to reduce heat. You can also opt to add just 1/2 of a jalapeño in this case.
- Add more jalapeño or leave seeds in for a spicier sauce.
Lauren’s Top Tips for the Best Cilantro Jalapeno Sauce
- Adjust the spice: I always remove the seeds from the jalapeño before adding it to the food processor. You can keep the seeds or just keep some, depending on how spicy you want it. If you keep all the seeds, it will be pretty spicy!
- Taste as you go: This is important for the best creamy cilantro jalapeño sauce! Blend, taste, and tweak however you lie it. Use more lime for brightness, more salt for balance, or more mayo if you want it creamier.
- Use fresh cilantro: Limp herbs won’t blend as smoothly or taste as vibrant.
- Make it ahead: The flavor gets even better after a few hours in the fridge, so this creamy jalapeño sauce is great for meal prep.
How to Use Your Creamy Jalapeño Sauce
This sauce is good on almost everything, but here are some of my favorites:
- Drizzle over steak taco bowls or any of your favorite burrito bowls for a bright, herby finish.
- Use it as a dip for crispy fries, roasted sweet potatoes or roasted crispy potatoes.
- Spoon it over grilled chicken, shrimp, or roasted veggies.
- Stir into rice or quinoa bowls for an instant flavor boost!
- Spread it on sandwiches or wraps instead of mayo for a creamy, spicy twist.
How to Store Creamy Cilantro Jalapeño Sauce
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Stir before using, and add a little olive oil if the sauce thickens too much during storage.
Jalapeño Cream Sauce FAQs
Sure, though it’ll change the flavor significantly. Parsley or a mix of parsley and basil work well if you’re not into cilantro.
With one jalapeño (and no seeds), it’s mild to medium. If you keep the seeds, it will turn into a pretty spicy jalapeño cilantro sauce!
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it keeps for up to 1 week!
The Peruvian sauce made with cilantro, jalapeños and mayonnaise is called aji verde. It is a creamy, tangy, and herbaceous sauce often served with grilled meats or roasted vegetables. My creamy jalapeño sauce is similar, but not quite the same!
Taco Bell’s creamy jalapeño sauce is a blend of mayonnaise, jalapeños, lime, and seasonings to create a tangy, slightly spicy sauce. My jalapeno sauce recipe differs from the Taco bell version, since it doesn’t include the same seasonings.
Yes, but the texture may change slightly after freezing. It’s best used fresh for optimal flavor and creaminess.
More Favorites to Try
- Pickled Onions for Tacos – tangy, vibrant, and the perfect punch of flavor for every taco bite.
- Mediterranean Bowl – fresh, colorful, and packed with bright, bold flavors in every forkful.
- Pesto Grilled Chicken – juicy, herby, and irresistibly flavorful, perfect for any meal.
Easy Creamy Jalapeño Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- For a milder heat, deseed the jalapeño and remove the white pith inside.
- Add all ingredients into a food processor or blender.
- Blend until smooth. Taste test for acid and salt. If it needs a little more tanginess, add some more lime. If it needs more salt, add a pinch more and blend. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Nutrition
Notes
- Adjust the spice: I always remove the seeds from the jalapeño before adding it to the food processor. You can keep the seeds or just keep some, depending on how spicy you want it. If you keep all the seeds, it will be pretty spicy!
- Taste as you go: This is important for the best creamy cilantro jalapeño sauce! Blend, taste, and tweak however you lie it. Use more lime for brightness, more salt for balance, or more mayo if you want it creamier.
- Use fresh cilantro: Limp herbs won’t blend as smoothly or taste as vibrant.
- Make it ahead: The flavor gets even better after a few hours in the fridge, so it’s great for meal prep.
- Storage tip: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
