Xanthan Gum Free Cilantro Lime Green Sauce
Bright, herby, and punchy with citrus, this blended green sauce is the kind of condiment that makes everything it touches taste better. Fresh cilantro and flat-leaf parsley form the vivid base, while lime juice, jalapeño, and a touch of cumin layer in heat and warmth that bottled sauces just can't replicate. Many store-bought green sauces and dressings sneak in stabilizers and thickeners to achieve that smooth, pourable texture — this one gets there naturally, relying on good olive oil and a splash of water blended at high speed. The result is silky and cohesive without a single additive doing the heavy lifting. You can dial the heat up or down depending on whether you leave the jalapeño seeds in, and a quick taste at the end lets you fine-tune the salt and lime to exactly where you want it. Drizzle it over grilled proteins, spoon it onto tacos, swirl it into grain bowls, or use it as a dipping sauce — it genuinely works everywhere. Keep a jar in the fridge and you'll find yourself reaching for it all week long.
About FigFig 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!