This Cilantro Sauce has become a staple in our house lately. It takes just a few minutes to make, and it reminds me of chimichurri sauce , only with a lot less oil than traditional versions call for. You’ll want to pour it on everything!
Believe it or not, I haven’t always been a fan of cilantro . I feel like you either love it or hate it, and when I was in college, I remember hating it. I didn’t want it near my meals!
Isn’t it strange how things can change? One day, as an adult, I tried it again and loved it. Now I’ll pour this cilantro sauce on everything. So, if you feel like you were born hating cilantro, be sure to give it another shot in case things have changed!
What is Cilantro Sauce made of?
To make this recipe, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients.
- Fresh cilantro
- Shallot (or red onion could work, too)
- Red wine vinegar
- Olive oil
- Red pepper flakes
- Garlic
When making a sauce or dressing like this, I usually try to replace at least half of the oil with water , so that the sauce is lower in calories without sacrificing any flavor. The resulting sauce is slightly thinner in texture, but since you’re blending it with the shallot and fresh herbs, those help to bulk it up so it’s not too runny.
Benefits of Cilantro
Why else might you want to try this delicious cilantro sauce? It’s a great way to sneak more of this fresh herb into your day!
Here’s why I love it:
- Cilantro (also known as coriander) seeds may help lower blood sugar .
- It contains antioxidants that may help to lower inflammation and slow the growth of certain cancer cells .
- Coriander extract may help to lower blood pressure .
- Heart disease rates appear to be lower in populations that consume large amounts of coriander (cilantro).
If nothing else, cilantro adds a fresh, herb-y flavor to your dishes that will make it taste like it’s from a restaurant. It’s amazing how something so easy to make can really elevate the flavor of your meal!
How to Make It
Making this cilantro sauce is as easy as it gets. Just add all of the ingredients to a blender, and blend until smooth!
From there, you can taste and adjust the flavor to your liking. Never forget to customize it to your taste!
If the sauce tastes too salty or sour, add a splash of sweetness to balance it out, using maple syrup or honey. If you want something creamier, you can add a spoonful of tahini , or hummus , or even a touch of plain yogurt (use a vegan one if you need to remain dairy-free).
How to Serve It
This sauce is light enough that you can serve it as a salad dressing, or you can use it as a topping on your favorite tacos, nachos, or burrito bowls.
Here are some ideas to help you get started:
- Drizzle it over a vegan lunch bowl , along with a scoop of hummus
- Serve it on Jackfruit tacos
- Or Vegan Tacos
- Serve it as a party dip for chips, along with my favorite bean dip
- Drizzle on Sweet Potato Nachos
- Or Cauliflower Nachos
- Try it on my Chipotle Burrito Bowls
IngredientsUS CustomaryMetric1x2x3x
- 1 cup fresh cilantro (tightly packed; 21 grams)
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (25 grams)
- 1 shallot (24 grams)
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (1 gram)
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil (53 grams)
- 1/4 cup water (60 grams)
- 1/2 teaspoon fine Himalayan salt (I use Real Salt brand)
- 1 garlic clove (3 grams)
- Freshly ground black pepper , to taste
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking.
- This sauce will be runny when you first blend it, but it will thicken up in the fridge slightly if you let it chill for several hours. You can keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Notes
Nutrition
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Reader Feedback: What’s your favorite sauce these days?
Easy Cilantro Sauce
Equipment
- Vitamix
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh cilantro (tightly packed; 21 grams)
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (25 grams)
- 1 shallot (24 grams)
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (1 gram)
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil (53 grams)
- 1/4 cup water (60 grams)
- 1/2 teaspoon fine Himalayan salt (I use Real Salt brand)
- 1 garlic clove (3 grams)
- Freshly ground black pepper , to taste
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking.
- This sauce will be runny when you first blend it, but it will thicken up in the fridge slightly if you let it chill for several hours. You can keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months.
