Low Sugar Cilantro Lime Green Sauce

Total time10 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time0 min

4.9

(11)

Bright, herby, and punchy with citrus, this blended green sauce is the kind of condiment that makes everything it touches taste more alive. Fresh cilantro and flat-leaf parsley form the vibrant base, while lime juice, jalapeño, and a touch of cumin layer in heat and warmth without a single drop of added sweetener. That matters more than you'd think — a lot of store-bought green sauces and dressings sneak in sugar or honey to balance acidity, but here the lime and garlic do all that work naturally. The whole thing comes together in under a minute of blending, and you can dial the heat up or down just by deciding what to do with those jalapeño seeds. It's equally at home drizzled over grilled chicken, spooned onto tacos, stirred into grain bowls, or used as a dipping sauce for roasted vegetables. Keep a jar in the fridge and you'll find yourself reaching for it constantly — it holds well for up to three days and somehow tastes even better the next morning.

About Fig

Fig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.

Learn more →

Ingredients

6 servings

2 cups fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, loosely packed
3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
1 jalapeño, seeds removed for mild heat or kept for more
2 cloves garlic, peeled
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp water
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
¼ tsp black pepper
¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves (optional)

Instructions

1
Combine the cilantro, lime juice, jalapeño, garlic, olive oil, water, cumin, salt, and black pepper in a blender or food processor. Add the parsley, if using.
2
Blend on high until the sauce is smooth and uniformly green, about 30–45 seconds, scraping down the sides once halfway through.

Want the full recipe?

Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!