Cilantro Garlic Sauce with Greek Yogurt

If I had to pick one cuisine to eat for the rest of my life, I’d probably pick Mexican-inspired cuisine. Not only is it delicious but it’s also endlessly versatile and customizable.

And one of the easiest ways to customize your tacos and burritos is with a homemade sauce. Nothing elevates rich and meaty tacos like a bright, tangy, and flavorful sauce.

This cilantro garlic sauce is one of my favorite Mexican-inspired sauces. I use a food processor to blend everything to the ideal consistency. It comes together in less than 5 minutes and only uses 6 ingredients.

Today, I’m walking you through how to make the best cilantro garlic sauce, including which ingredients to use, tips for success, and some of my favorite dishes to serve with this easy sauce recipe.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Bright & Tangy Flavor- The combination of cilantro, garlic, lime juice, and Greek yogurt creates a sauce bursting with fresh and vibrant flavors.
• Creamy- Made with Greek yogurt, this sauce has a rich, creamy texture.
• Easy to Make- This creamy cilantro sauce requires minimal chopping or prep work - perfect for a busy weeknight!
• Ready in 5 Minutes- With just a few simple ingredients and a food processor, you can make this homemade cilantro garlic sauce in no time.
• Versatile- Use this creamy garlic sauce for tacos, burritos, grilled chicken, salads, sandwiches, and more.

Ingredient Notes

Here are some notes on key ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

• Greek Yogurt- Opt for plain 2% or full-fat Greek yogurt to give the sauce a creamy consistency and tangy flavor.
• Cilantro- As the star of the show, cilantro lends a fresh, citrusy flavor to the sauce. Be sure to remove the thicker stems before blending.
• Garlic- The intensity of garlic can vary and typically becomes more pungent over time. Feel free to adjust the amount based on your preference. It's better to start with a little and add more if needed.
• Olive Oil- Gives the sauce a smoother, creamier consistency.
• Lime Juice- Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor.
• Kosher Salt- Start with ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt and adjust to taste.

🌱 Sustainability Tip: Grow cilantro in your garden or on your windowsill for fresher flavor and to reduce food waste.

Substitutions and Variations

​​Here are a few ways you can try customizing this easy cilantro garlic sauce recipe to fit your diet and taste preferences.

Substitutions

• Greek Yogurt- Swap Greek yogurt for sour cream or plain regular yogurt, keeping in mind that the consistency of each with be slightly different.
• Cilantro- Use parsley or a blend of fresh herbs in place of cilantro if preferred. 
• Garlic- Substitute fresh garlic for garlic powder or roasted garlic to give the sauce a different flavor.
• Olive Oil- Replace olive oil with avocado oil, canola oil, or any other neutral-flavored oil you prefer.
• Lime Juice- Swap lime juice for lemon juice or orange juice to give the sauce a different flavor profile.
• Kosher Salt- If using sea salt or table salt, start with ⅛ teaspoon and adjust to taste.

Variations

• Lime Zest- Add fresh lime zest to kick the lime flavor up a notch.
• Spicy- Add fresh minced jalapeño, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes for a spicy variation.
• Smoky- For a smoky flavor, add a few shakes of smoked paprika or cumin.
• Avocado- Blend some creamy avocado into the sauce for a creamy texture and fresh flavor.

How to Make Cilantro Garlic Sauce

Here is how to make garlic cilantro sauce with Greek yogurt.

Step 1: Pulse ingredients together. In a food processor, combine cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, grated garlic, and kosher salt. Pulse the ingredients until the cilantro is broken down into small pieces. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Step 2: Blend until smooth. Add the Greek yogurt to the food processor. Blend on high until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Serve and enjoy. Transfer the sauce to a bowl. Serve immediately or refrigerate for an hour to let the flavors meld together. Enjoy!

Tips for Success

Make this homemade garlic cilantro sauce recipe successfully the first time using these helpful kitchen tips.

• Use fresh ingredients. Use fresh cilantro, garlic, and lime juice for the best flavor. Freshness contributes significantly to the vibrancy of the sauce.
• Adjust sauce consistency. If you prefer a thinner sauce, add a small amount of water while blending. Adjust until you achieve your desired consistency.
• Season to taste. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and lime juice to suit your personal preference.

What to Serve with Cilantro Garlic Sauce

This cilantro lime sauce is a versatile condiment that naturally pairs well with Mexican-inspired dishes such as shredded chipotle chicken tacos, tequila lime shrimp tacos, honey chipotle shrimp tacos, beef fajita tacos, and ground beef nachos.

This creamy sauce can also be served alongside grilled meats and seafood for a burst of freshness. Try it with grilled chicken breast, steak tips, shrimp skewers, turkey smash burgers, or a BBQ bacon burger.

Other ideas include serving it as a baked potato topping, chicken wing dip, falafel gyro spread, or thinning it for a salad dressing.

How to Store

Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Stir well before serving to incorporate any water that separates from the yogurt.

Make Ahead

This cilantro and garlic sauce can easily be made several days in advance. The flavors of the sauce get better as the sauce sits so I recommend making it at least a few hours before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Mexican-Inspired Recipes