Cilantro Sauce

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For everything from Mexican food to grilled meats and salad dressings, for cilantro lovers this Cilantro Sauce is the ultimate condiment for jazzing up your food!  Super quick and easy to make, this cilantro sauce recipe comes together in less than 5 minutes and keeps for several days.

The cilantro I planted in my garden last year did better than ever.  It overwintered beautifully and is growing strong again.  I was brainstorming what to do with large amounts of cilantro and whipped up this sauce that will definitely be a regular from now on.

Are you a cilantro lover or hater?  Most likely if you’re taking the time to read this it’s because you like cilantro.  But we all know people who can’t tolerate the stuff.   And before we judge them too harshly, did you know it’s their genes that are to blame for that?  That’s right, it’s not that they’re picky eaters (well, they may be that too but that’s not the reason!), it’s actually genetic.  There’s a small percentage of the population that have a variation in their olfactory-receptor genes that causes them to be extra sensitive to the aldehydes in cilantro that create a perceived “soapy” flavor.  And to be fair, if something tasted like soap to me I wouldn’t want to eat it either!

But fortunately for the rest of us we’re able to appreciate the delicious flavor element that cilantro contributes to food.  And for the cilantro lover this cilantro sauce is unparalleled.  Paired with fresh cilantro is the bright tanginess of lime juice, the spicy earthiness of garlic, and the sweetness of honey.  It’s an incredible delicious way to jazz up your food!

How to Use Cilantro Sauce

This is the ultimate condiment for practically anything Mexican, Indian and Middle Eastern.  Anything that can benefit from a little freshening and jazzing up, this cilantro sauce is it!

Here are a few ways you can use cilantro sauce:

• Dip for Appetizers:  Serve it as a dip for appetizers like samosas, spring rolls, and chicken wings.
• Topping for Mexican Dishes:  Drizzle it on your shrimp tacos, taco salads, carnitas, chilaquiles, burritos, tamales, taquitos, empanadas, gorditas, enchiladas, flautas, quesadillas, nachos, huevos rancheros, and more.
• Marinade or Basting Sauce:  Marinate meats or vegetables in this cilantro sauce before grilling or roasting for a fresh and vibrant flavor.
• Sauce for Grilled Meats or Seafood:  Serve it drizzled over or alongside grilled meats like beef, lamb, pork, chicken, fish, or shellfish.
• Salad Dressing:  Add some yogurt to create a creamy cilantro salad dressing for your leafy green salads, pasta salads, or as a dressing for coleslaw.
• Bowl or Rice Dish Topping:  Drizzle some over rice bowls, grain bowls, or dishes like quinoa, couscous, or bulgur.
• Sandwich or Wrap Spread:  Spread it on sandwiches or wraps in place of traditional mayonnaise or mustard. It’s great with ham, turkey, chicken, or roasted veggies.
• Sushi or Sashimi Accompaniment:  Try this cilantro sauce for a refreshing twist.
• Mashed Potatoes or Roasted Vegetables:  Mix some cilantro sauce into your mashed potatoes for a fresh, herby twist. You can also drizzle it over roasted vegetables like potatoes, cauliflower, or carrots

How Long Does Cilantro Sauce Keep?

Cilantro sauce is best eaten very fresh while the flavors are at their most vibrant, within a day or two.  But stored in an airtight container it will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Cilantro Sauce Recipe

Let’s get started!

Place all of the ingredients in a small food processor or a blender and pulse/blend until the mixture is smooth.

Transfer the cilantro sauce to an airtight non-reactive container and store in the fridge until ready to use.  Best eaten the same day or within 2 days but will keep for up to 5 days.

Enjoy!

For more delicious sauces to add life and flavor to your food, be sure to try our:

• Romesco Sauce
• Jerk Sauce
• Ginger Sauce
• Teriyaki Sauce
• Bearnaise Sauce
• Remoulade
• Yum Yum Sauce
• Sweet and Sour Sauce

Originally published on The Daring Gourmet April 16, 2022