This Spicy Cilantro Garlic Sauce Recipe isn’t your everyday dip – this Creamy Sauce is loaded with so much flavor from fresh herbs, tangy lime, jalapeños, and a garlic kick that’s hard to resist. This creamy, quick-to-make garlic cilantro sauce can elevate just about any dish, bringing zest and vibrance to your plate. And it only takes 5 minutes!
This Creamy Cilantro Sauce takes inspiration from the flavors of Pollo Tropical’s famed dip, and this Floridian fast-food restaurant has the best garlic sauce ever with its bold flavor. While I will not claim that this is the exact Pollo Tropical recipe, this homemade recipe is pretty darn close! And healthier too (I think!). 😉
With just a few simple ingredients, you can recreate this Pollo Tropical Copycat Cilantro Garlic Sauce at home in less than 5 minutes.
Whether you’re new to Latin cooking or looking for a good sauce to bring out new dimensions of flavor, this dipping sauce is perfect! It’s one of my favorite sauces because it doubles as a spread, dressing, or marinade for all sorts of delicious goodies – the ultimate flavorful sauce. Serve it with your favorite Chicken Recipe, like this Cuban-Style Roasted Chicken (Cuban Pollo Asado) and pair it with Yuca Fries, or drizzle it over these Pork Tacos. Its creamy texture and vibrant fresh salsa taste make it a great addition to any meal.
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🍽 Equipment
An Inmmersion Blender or Food Processor – will help create a creamy, smooth texture that will bring out the best in this sauce. This quick step is the only special equipment needed to master this recipe!
📝Ingredients and Substitutions
For the best taste, we use fresh herbs and simple ingredients. This complete list of ingredients is what gives this sauce its distinct flavor.
See the Printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities
Ingredient Notes
- Green Yogurt - A healthier, creamy base for the sauce. For a richer taste, swap with Sour cream.
- Mayonaise - Adds a bit of tangy richness and helps create a smooth, velvety texture.
- Olive Oil - A bit of oil helps provide emulsification. Use Avocado oil for a more neutral flavor.
- Jalapeño pepper - Offers the right amount of spice to enhance the sauce without overpowering it. If you prefer a milder taste, omit the seeds.
- Fresh Lime Juice brings zesty brightness. Substitute with Lemon juice if you’re out of lime. Though Lime brings a more authentic flavor.
- Fresh Galic Cloves - Raw Garlic provides a bold, spicy edge. It enhances the overall taste with a bit of sharpness and zest.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper - For seasoning and essential to enhance all the flavors.
- Fresh Cilantro - Essential for flavor! I do not recommend a substitute because Cilantro gives this sauce its classic Latin flavor.
🥣Instructions
Making this sauce is a breeze. Gather and prep ingredients, blend and season to taste.
- Prep the Ingredients: Wash and roughly chop the cilantro, deseed the jalapeño (if desired), and peel the garlic cloves.
- Blend it Up: Add all ingredients in the food processor and blend until smooth, creamy, and well-incorporated.
- Taste Test: Adjust salt, lime juice, or jalapeño to suit your preference – YOU KNOW what makes it perfect for you!
Serve and enjoy with your favorite dishes!
🍴What to Serve with This Sauce
This Garlic Cilantro Sauce pairs perfectly with all your favorite dishes. Drizzle it over this Pollo Asado (Roasted Chicken), dip french fries , Tostones, or Yuca Fries, or use it as a tangy dip for chicken wings.
It’s even tasty as a spread on wraps and tacos. This sauce has endless uses and is a great addition to any appetizer of your choice. Sweet bbq and savory dishes find a friend in this dip, balancing out flavors with its creamy zest!
🧑🍳Recipe Variations
This sauce is perfect just the way it is, but if you must, here are some recipe variation ideas.
- Add Red Pepper Flakes for extra spice and color.
- Mix in Cream Cheese for a thicker, more decadent sauce.
- Splash of Hot Sauce for a tangy heat.
🍲Storage suggestions
Store any leftover sauce in an Airttight Container in the fridge. It will stay fresh and flavorful for up to 4-5 days. Give it a good stir before using, as it may separate slightly after sitting.
This Salad Dressing-worthy Cilantro Garlic Lime Sauce is an absolute keeper. Its creaminess, spice, and zest make it an unforgettable addition to your meal rotation —trust me, once you’ve tried it, you’ll be reaching for it with every dish. Whether dipping, spreading, or dressing, this sauce is the little secret to help elevate your cooking most deliciously.
Try it out, comment, and share the love– because
good food deserves to be shared! 🍴😊
🍴Other Latin Inspired Sauces, Salsas and Dips
🍽️Pairing Suggestions
📖 GET THE RECIPE! 🍽️
Spicy Cilantro Garlic Sauce Recipe (Salsa de Ajo)
- Prep Time: 3
- Mix time: 2
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: Sauces
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Latin Inspired
Description
This Spicy Cilantro Garlic Sauce Recipe (Salsa de Ajo) is a bold, creamy blend of fresh herbs, tangy lime, jalapeños, and garlic that’s ready in just 5 minutes. Perfect for adding zest and vibrance to any dish!
Equipment: Inmmersion Blender or Food Processor.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Greek Yogurt (see notes)
- 1 Tablespoon Mayo
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil (see notes)
- 1 Jalapeño pepper
- 1 Lime (see notes)
- 2 Fresh Garlic Cloves
- 1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 cup Fresh Cilantro leaves.
Instructions
- Prep the Ingredients: Wash and roughly chop the cilantro, deseed the jalapeño (if desired), and peel the garlic cloves.
- Blend it Up: Add all ingredients in the food processor and blend until smooth, creamy, and well-incorporated.
- Taste Test: Adjust salt, lime juice, or jalapeño to suit your preference – YOU KNOW what makes it perfect for you!
- Serve and enjoy with your favorite dishes!
Notes
Greek Yogurt - Swap with Sour cream.
Olive Oil - Use Avocado oil for a more neutral flavor.
Fresh Lime Juice - Substitute with Lemon juice if you’re out of lime. Though Lime brings a more authentic flavor.
Fresh Galic Cloves - Raw fresh Garlic provides a bold, spicy edge and best flavor. I do not recommend jarred chopped garlic.
Fresh Cilantro - Essential for flavor! I do not recommend a substitute because Cilantro gives this sauce its classic Latin flavor.
What to Serve with This Sauce: This Garlic Cilantro Sauce pairs perfectly with this fantastic Pollo Asado (Roasted Chicken), dipped in french fries or yuca fries, or use it as a tangy dip for chicken wings. Drizzle over these tasty Carnitas Tacos!
Storage suggestions: Store any leftover sauce in an Airttight Container in the fridge. It will stay fresh and flavorful for up to 4-5 days. Give it a good stir before using, as it may separate slightly after sitting.
Swathi says
This spicy cilantro garlic sauce is so versatile I can use with everything Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
You're very welcome! I'm so glad to hear you're enjoying the recipe — thank you for trying it!
Deb says
Oh my, the perfect tangy sauce. Flavor was delish. I put them on my jackfruit tacos.
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Thank you, Deb! Sounds amazing on jackfruit tacos! 🙂
Michele Peterson says
Yum! Loved how creamy, tangy and garlicky this sauce was. It really livened up our roast chicken. Saved some to try on salmon and that was also delicious too. It's a keeper!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Hi Michele,
Thank you so much! I'm thrilled to hear you enjoyed the Sauce on both roast chicken and salmon — it's so versatile, and I'm glad it's become a keeper for you! 😊
Liz says
Super easy to make and the flavor is fabulous. We drizzled it over simple grilled chicken and it made a delicious entree!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Thank you, Liz! So glad you enjoyed it — this sauce really knows how to take grilled chicken from “meh” to “magnificent”! 😆
I appreciate the raving review. ❤️
Sonja says
I felt like having a different sauce for my veggie plate today and this was absolutely stunning on it! It enlivened my whole dinner, so delicious!
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Yay! So wonderful. Happy to know it was a highlight for your dinner. Thanks so much for sharing your experience! ❤️😊
Sabine says
I'm so happy I came across this sauce. It looks so bright and beautiful and the taste is absolutely amazing. So good and yumm. I served it with roasted chicken and it was very good.
Juyali (ju-ja-lee) says
Thank you, Sabine! Sounds like this sauce stole the show. 😉 But seems like a perfect match with roasted chicken too. 😎 Thanks for trying the recipe and leaving your review! ❤️