Name: Peruvian Green Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: About ¾ cup
Cuisine: Peruvian
Ingredients: ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream); ½ bunch cilantro; 2 tablespoons lime juice (more to taste); 1 clove garlic (smashed or more to taste); ½ jalapeno (seeded for less heat); ½ teaspoon kosher salt (or more to taste)

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Introduction

Peruvian Green Sauce is a vibrant and creamy condiment that brightens up any meal. Made with fresh cilantro, lime, and a touch of jalapeno, it’s perfect as a drizzle, dip, or dressing to add a flavorful punch.

A small glass jar filled with smooth, pale green sauce speckled with tiny darker green herbs sits on a round white marble board. To the right of the jar, there is a halved lime showing its juicy inside with some green leaves behind it. On the left side of the board, a halved green chili and a couple of peeled garlic cloves rest near the jar. The whole setup is placed against a clean white marbled texture background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

¾ cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
½ bunch cilantro
2 tablespoons lime juice (more to taste)
1 clove garlic (smashed or more to taste)
½ jalapeno (seeded for less heat)
½ teaspoon kosher salt (or more to taste)

Instructions

Step 1: Add the Greek yogurt or sour cream, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, jalapeno, and salt into a mason jar, food processor, or blender.
Step 2: Pulse or blend until smooth. For a thicker sauce, blend the cilantro, garlic, lime juice, and salt first, then fold in the yogurt or sour cream with a spoon until you reach the desired consistency.
Step 3: Drizzle the sauce over grilled chicken, use it as a salad dressing, or serve it as a dip with fries or vegetables.

Tips & Variations

Adjust the jalapeno amount according to your heat preference, or substitute with a milder green chili.
Use fresh lime juice for the best bright, tangy flavor.
For a vegan version, replace Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt or cashew cream.
If you prefer a thinner dressing, add a splash of water or olive oil while blending.

Storage

Store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Stir well before using, as separation may occur. This sauce is best served chilled but can be brought to room temperature for more vibrant flavors. Avoid freezing, as the texture may change upon thawing.

How to Serve

A small clear glass jar filled with a creamy light green sauce that has small dark green specks throughout, sitting on a round white marble board. Next to the jar, on the marble board, there is one half of a squeezed lime with visible pulp and a small bunch of green cilantro leaves. There is also a halved green jalapeño pepper with seeds visible, and two white garlic cloves placed near the front left side. The background is a soft, out-of-focus white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this sauce without a blender?

Yes, you can finely chop the cilantro, garlic, and jalapeno by hand and then mix everything thoroughly with the yogurt or sour cream for a rustic version of the sauce.

Is this sauce spicy?

The heat level depends on the jalapeno used. Removing the seeds will make it milder, but if you prefer less spice, reduce or omit the jalapeno altogether.