Cilantro Garlic Sauce

Ingredients

🥄 Mayonnaise – Adds body and a creamy touch to the sauce, giving it that rich texture that clings perfectly to whatever you're drizzling or dipping.

🥣 Sour Cream – Keeps things cool and refreshing. It lightens up the mayo and adds a little tang that balances out the garlic and herbs.

🌿 Fresh Cilantro – The star of the show! Cilantro brings a bright, herby flavor that makes this sauce pop. Chop it finely so it blends in nice and smooth.

🧄 Garlic – Just one clove is enough to bring a punch of flavor. It gives the sauce that savory kick without overpowering the other ingredients.

🧂 Seasoning (Salt and Black Pepper) – A little seasoning ties everything together. Salt enhances all the flavors, and black pepper adds a subtle warmth.

📖See the recipe card for quantities and preparation.

How to make cilantro garlic sauce

1. Add everything to a small blender – Combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, chopped cilantro, garlic, salt, and pepper. A small blender like a Nutribullet works great here.

2. Blend until smooth – Blend until the sauce is creamy and well combined. You may need to stop once or twice to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula.

Taste and adjust – Give it a quick taste and add more salt if needed. As a reference, we didn’t need to add any extra to ours. Chill until ready to use – Transfer the sauce to a container and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. Give it a good stir before using.

Serving Suggestions

This cilantro garlic sauce is super versatile! Serve it as a dip, drizzle, or spread—whatever fits the moment.

Great dippers: Plantain chips, tostones, tortilla chips, or yuca frita.

Perfect pairings for mains: Drizzle over grilled chicken, fish, or shrimp. It’s especially good with tacos, rice bowls, roasted vegetables, or even sandwiches and wraps.

You can also use it as a dipping sauce for Cuban empanadas, fries, or anything fried and crispy—it adds a cool, creamy contrast that works with so many dishes.

Substitutions and Variations

• Adjust the cilantro – For a more intense herb flavor, add an extra tablespoon or two. For something milder, scale back slightly.
• Lighter option – Try light mayo and/or sour cream. Low-fat versions of both ingredients work well. The texture might be a little thinner, but the flavor still holds up.
• Make it spicy – Add a pinch of crushed red pepper, a dash of hot sauce, or a small piece of jalapeño before blending for a little heat.
• Add a splash of lime juice – For extra brightness and a tangy twist, a squeeze of fresh lime works nicely. Just don’t add too much or it may water down the sauce.

Storing instructions

Store cilantro garlic sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freezing is not recommended—the mayo and sour cream may separate and affect the texture once thawed.

Always use a clean utensil when scooping out the sauce to help it stay fresh and safe. Don’t leave the sauce out at room temperature for more than 2 hours—or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90°F. Discard any sauce that’s been left out longer.

For more information on food storage and safety guidelines, visit U.S. Department of Agriculture and foodsafety.gov.

If you’re looking for an easy way to step up your dinner, this cilantro garlic sauce makes a big impact with very little work. It pairs perfectly with shredded chicken tacos or ground beef tostadas for a taco night upgrade.

Spruce up a weeknight classic like roasted chicken, or take it outside with these grilled shrimp skewers or grilled chicken skewers—both great for relaxing summer meals. Whether you drizzle it, dip it, or spoon it over the top, this cool, creamy sauce adds a fresh, herby boost to all kinds of meals.