Carrageenan Free Watercress Lemon Sauce
Bright, peppery watercress meets sharp lemon in this vibrant green sauce that comes together in minutes with nothing but a blender and a handful of fresh ingredients. The peppery bite of the watercress is balanced beautifully by the citrus, while a small clove of garlic adds just enough depth to keep things interesting. Many store-bought sauces and dressings rely on carrageenan as a thickener or stabilizer, which can make finding a clean option genuinely frustrating — this one skips all of that entirely. The emulsification here comes from slowly streaming extra virgin olive oil into the blended greens, giving you a silky, pourable consistency that's completely natural. It's endlessly versatile: drizzle it over grilled fish, roasted vegetables, grain bowls, or use it as a bright dipping sauce for crusty bread. A little fresh parsley stirred in before blending adds an extra layer of herbal freshness if you have it on hand. Simple, clean, and genuinely delicious — this is the kind of sauce that makes everything it touches taste more alive.
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
4 servings
- 2 cups fresh watercress, thick stems removed
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 small clove garlic, roughly chopped
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt, or to taste
- ⅛ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the watercress, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, water, salt, and black pepper in a blender or food processor. Add the parsley, if using.
- 2
Blend on high speed for 30 seconds, until the greens are fully broken down and the mixture is a uniform, bright green purée.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!