Cilantro garlic sauce is a delicious and versatile sauce that can be used to enhance the flavor of a wide range of dishes. Made with a blend of fresh cilantro, garlic, Greek yogurt, olive oil, lime juice, and salt, this sauce is a refreshing and tangy addition to any meal. Whether you're looking to spice up your favorite recipes or trying to find a new way to enjoy your vegetables, this sauce is a perfect choice.
Jump to:
Ingredients Notes
- Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt is the base of this sauce and provides a creamy and tangy flavor. Full-fat Greek yogurt is preferred for a richer texture and taste.
- Garlic: The garlic adds a savory flavor to the sauce. You can use fresh garlic cloves, finely chopped, or roasted garlic cloves, mashed with a fork.
- Cilantro: The cilantro adds a fresh, herbaceous flavor to the sauce. You can adjust the amount to your liking.
- Olive oil: The olive oil provides a smooth and velvety texture to the sauce.
- Lime juice: The lime juice adds a tangy and bright flavor to the sauce. You can adjust the amount to your liking.
Fresh vs Roasted Garlic
Fresh garlic and roasted garlic both have their own unique flavor profiles that can affect the taste of the cilantro garlic sauce. Fresh garlic has a strong and pungent flavor, which can provide a sharp and zesty taste to the sauce. On the other hand, roasted garlic has a milder and sweeter flavor with a nutty undertone, which can give the sauce a more subtle and nuanced taste. Both types of garlic can work well in this recipe, so it really depends on your personal preference and what type of flavor you are going for in the sauce. If you want a stronger garlic flavor, you may want to use fresh garlic. If you want a more delicate garlic flavor, roasted garlic may be the way to go.
How roasted the garlic (options):
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut off the top of a whole garlic bulb, exposing the tops of the cloves. Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the exposed cloves and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Wrap the bulb tightly in aluminum foil, sealing the edges. Place the wrapped garlic bulb in the oven and roast for 30-40 minutes or until the cloves are soft and golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes. Squeeze the roasted cloves out of their skins and mash with a fork or blend in a food processor until smooth. Add the mashed roasted garlic to your cilantro garlic sauce and mix well. Roasted garlic adds a delicious depth of flavor to many dishes, and it's a great addition to cilantro garlic sauce.
Tips and Tricks:
Some like a more intense cilantro flavor whereas others like it more garlicky. The recipe below is a guide. Start with ¼ cup of chopped cilantro and go from there. Also, be careful not to over-salt. I suggest adding salt, a pinch at a time, once the sauce is already smooth.
Use up your cilantro stems: Don't let your cilantro stems go to waste! Surprisingly, the tender stems of cilantro pack just as much flavor as the leaves. This makes them a great ingredient to use up in blended sauces like the one in this recipe. However, make sure to discard any tough parts of the stem beyond the leaves to ensure a smooth texture.
Instructions
If using fresh garlic, peel and finely chop the cloves. If using roasted garlic, remove the cloves from the skin and mash them with a fork.In a blender or food processor, combine the garlic, cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, and salt.
Blend the mixture until the ingredients are well combined and the cilantro is finely chopped.Add the Greek yogurt to the blender and blend again until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed (you may want to add more salt or lime juice depending on your taste).Transfer the sauce to a container with a lid and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it. The sauce will keep for up to a week.
What to Serve Cilantro Garlic Sauce With
Now that you've made this delicious sauce, you might be wondering what to serve it with. Here are some ideas:
- Za’atar Fries: potatoes roasted on high with za’atar are delicious dips in this cilantro garlic sauce.
- Grilled meats: Cilantro garlic sauce is a perfect accompaniment to grilled chicken, steak, or pork.
- Roasted vegetables: Drizzle the sauce over roasted vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, or cauliflower.
- Tacos and burritos: Use cilantro garlic sauce as a topping for lentil tacos, taco bites or as a dip for burritos.
- Sandwiches: Spread the sauce on a sandwich for an extra burst of flavor.
- Salads: Use the sauce as a dressing for a salad or drizzle it over a salad for added zest.
- Potatoes: Top baked or roasted potatoes with the sauce for a tasty side dish.
- Fish: This sauce pairs perfectly with grilled or baked fish, adding a fresh and zesty flavor to the dish.
- Pita bread: Use the sauce as a dip for pita bread or as a spread for a pita sandwich.
Storing Cilantro Garlic Sauce
Cilantro garlic sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. It's important to store the sauce in an airtight container to prevent it from absorbing any unwanted flavors from other foods in the fridge.
More Flavor-Boosters
My go-to flavor boosters, like this Cilantro Garlic Sauce, are an effortless solution for preparing delicious meals in the kitchen. With a handful of sauces and spreads readily available in the refrigerator, I can whip up mouthwatering dishes with minimal planning or effort.
Adding flavor boosters to your meals can transform even the most basic dish into a tantalizing culinary experience. From tangy pickled carrots and pickled daikon radish to zesty mango salsa and refreshing tzatziki sauce, these easy-to-prepare condiments can elevate the flavor profile of any meal. The rich and nutty taste of walnut basil pesto can enhance the flavor of pasta, sandwiches, and salads, while the piquant rosemary vinaigrette can add depth to roasted vegetables and grilled meats.
Cilantro garlic sauce is a versatile and delicious addition to any meal. With its fresh and tangy flavors, this sauce can be used to enhance the taste of a wide range of dishes. Whether you're looking to spice up your grilled meats or add some extra flavor to your salads, this sauce is a perfect choice. The best part is that it's quick and easy to make, so you can enjoy it anytime. So why not give this recipe a try and take your meals to the next level with a burst of flavor!
If you’ve tried this Cilantro Garlic Sauce recipe or any other recipe on BalancingBowls, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more tasty meals and anything else I’m up to.
Recipe
Cilantro Garlic Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups full-fat Greek yogurt
- 3 cloves garlic or 6 roasted garlic cloves
- ½ cup chopped cilantro you can adjust the amount to your liking
- 4-6 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice or the juice of 1 lime
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- If using fresh garlic cloves, peel them and chop them finely. If using roasted garlic, simply remove the cloves from the skin and mash them with a fork.
- In a blender or food processor, combine the garlic, cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, and salt.
- Blend the mixture until the ingredients are well combined and the cilantro is finely chopped.
- Add the Greek yogurt to the blender and blend again until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed (you may want to add more salt or lime juice depending on your taste).
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!