If you've never tried Pollo Tropical Dip, that needs to change right now! Easy and delicious this condiment will be your new go-to dipper/gravy/spice/seasoning... for EVERYTHING! Cilantro Garlic Sauce is tangy and creamy with lime and garlic.
Bonus? It only takes 5 minutes to make!
Next be sure to try this tangy, amazing Alabama white sauce recipe next! It's another favorite!
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Why you'll love this recipe
Creamy cilantro lime sauce a delicious condiment for tortilla and potato chips, great slathered on the bun of your favorite burger and super yummy as a french fry dipper, chicken wings, a great sauce for this shrimp taco recipe, you name it!
It's a great dipper for all sorts of delicious goodies, it's a great flavorful sauce!
Big bonus? It only takes a handful of ingredients. It's a great make ahead dip as it tastes better on day and will last 5 days in the fridge. See? What's not to love!
Ingredients
With only a handful of ingredients this creamy condiment is a cinch to make and my new go-to dipping sauce. I bet it will be yours too!
- the main ingredient is cream cheese - obviously it makes it creamy, but tangy too. Full fat sour cream or Greek Yogurt would be a great substitute if cream cheese is not available, just reduce the amount of milk so it's not too runny.
- milk, half and half or cream - even evaporated milk will do in a pinch.
- cilantro - fresh cilantro is best for this recipe.
- lime - fresh lime juice gives it a ton of zip, in a pinch substitute fresh lemon juice
- garlic powder - Though you can use fresh garlic cloves, I prefer garlic powder in this recipe so the garlic flavor doesn't overwhelm.
- salt - just a bit to perfectly season the sauce.
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions for the fresh cilantro garlic lime sauce just scroll down to the bottom!
- Allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature.
- Give the cilantro a rough chop. Add the chopped cilantro to the food processor.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the food processor. Process until smooth and creamy. No food processor, use a blender or immersion blender.
- Garnish with thinly sliced green onions or cilantro leaves.
Wa-la, done! It's the perfect balance of flavors!!
See? I told you it is super easy and super fabulous!
Equipment
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- I have my eye on this food processor - I've read such good reviews about it.
FAQ's
Yes to both. Yogurt and sour cream are both tangy and would be a great substitution for cream cheese. Because they are more liquid-ee (is that a word?) you'll want to cut down on the milk. You may only need a tablespoon or two, add sparingly.
It can be made a couple of days in advance.
The combination of sour cream, milk and lime makes for a perfectly creamy sauce. Cilantro and garlic five it tang!
Cover and refrigerate leftovers. Store in an airtight container. It will last up to five days. I haven't tried freezing it, but regardless, I don't imagine it would freeze well.
If you don't have a food processor use a blender. That's the second best thing!
No, because the sauce contains dairy it doesn't freeze well. Enjoy fresh!
Tips
Wash and dry the cilantro well. Extra water in the sauce won't add flavor and will only make it watery. There's no need to mince the cilantro first, just give it a rough chop and let the food processor do all the work for you!
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers - Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 5 days.
Related recipes
Here are a few more of my favorite sauces I think you'll really enjoy!
- Alabama White BBQ Sauce - like this creamy garlic sauce, it's tangy and flavorful. It's terrific on chicken, pork and especially great for dipping fries or sweet potato fries!
- Shrimp Cocktail Sauce - I bet you had no idea how easy this is to make at home! AND 100 times better too!
- Cowboy Butter Dipping Sauce - terrific with steak or chicken, this is an easy recipe and so good!
- Tangy Green Onion Dip - super tasty dipper, perfect for chips and veggies!
- Smashburger Sauce Recipe - great for hamburgers and terrific for dipping fries too!
- Curry Mustard Sauce - another favorite from El Pollo Loco!
Serving suggestions
- To top grilled chicken of course!
- Slather on the bun of your favorite burger.
- Drizzle on chicken tacos - yum!
- Delicious on fish tacos or taco salad.
- Dip sticky BBQ Chicken Wings in this delicious sauce.
- Amazing as a dipper for sweet potato fries.
- Top off a tasty Southwestern Salad.
- Serve it on the side with Sheet Pan Pork Tenderloin and Sweet Potatoes.
- Gathered around for movie night? Pull out the tortilla chips and start dipping!
- Lastly, another great way to enjoy this sauce is simply as a salad dressing. It's so versatile, I think you'll really enjoy this recipe!
And just a little bit from me
This is truly the next best thing since sliced bread! 😋 I LOVE this tasty sauce and have been known to dip my finger in the jar to get the edges of the jar when it's almost empty.
It's so easy to make and adds so much flavor. It's tangy, creamy and delicious. I hope you give this recipe a try!
Cilantro Garlic Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- Food Processor
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup milk can substitute with half and half, cream or evaporated milk
- ½ bunch cilantro just give it a rough chop - use stems and all!
- 1 lime juiced - you can add the zest for even more zing!
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Allow the cream cheese to come to room temperature.
- Give the cilantro a rough chop and add it to the food processor - stems and all. The stems have a ton of flavor and the food processor will do a fine job chopping them up!
- Add the remaining ingredients to the food processor; milk, tangy lime juice, salt and garlic powder. Pulse and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Refrigerate to allow the flavors to meld - this is even better on day two, enjoy!
Alison says
This is honestly the closest copycat I have found! Greek yogurt or sour cream just aren’t right. This really tastes like how I remember it.
How long can this sauce be stored in the fridge for?
Bowl Me Over says
Hey Alison - so glad you love it as much as we do!! It's just the BEST flavors!! You can keep this in the fridge up to five days, enjoy! If you like this recipe you should be and try my recipe for Alabama BBQ Sauce as well. I put this on everything!
Norma says
Okay, I'm sure I'm going to get some hate comments, but I'm one of those people who have the gene for making cilantro taste like soap. 🙁 Is there any substitute in this recipe or just leave it out? FYI, I'd really love to love cilantro as my bestie loves it and I feel so left out!
Thanks!
Bowl Me Over says
Haha Norma, it's ok! One of my bff's says the same thing 🤣 How about dill? That would be an excellent substitute and so yummy! In fact, I really like that idea. Another option would be parsley or tarragon. If none of those options work, just omit the cilantro. Always great questions - no haters here!!!
Michaela Kenkel says
Used this as a dressing on salads with grilled shrimp last night for dinner and HOLY SMOKES!! It was amazing!! Huge hit here, thanks for the recipe!
Michelle Turner says
Yum is all I can say.
Bowl Me Over says
You're going to love this sauce Michelle!!!
Julie Menghini says
We made this sauce and had it with some grilled salmon. It was absolutely amazing! I want it on everything. Even just a spoon!
Debi says
These are my kinds of flavors! Cilantro, creamy, garlic. I can't wait to try this!