Oil-Free Cilantro Avocado Sauce

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If you’re ready to take your tacos to the next level, then you absolutely need to whip up a batch of our Oil-Free Cilantro Avocado Sauce. Creamy avocado, fresh cilantro, zesty lime juice, and a hint of garlic all come together in a whirlwind of flavor that’s as vibrant as it is irresistible. This sauce is the perfect companion for tacos, burritos, nachos—you name it! So get ready to elevate your fiesta game with this creamy, dreamy sauce that’s sure to have your taste buds doing the salsa!

Avocado Cilantro Sauce

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hey there, friends! Steph here. Let me give you the inside scoop on why we decided to whip up this scrumptious Oil-Free Cilantro Avocado Sauce. I needed something creamy and zesty to top our tacos, and lo and behold, this came together quickly. With a whirl of the blender and a squeeze of lime, this sauce came to life and hit the spot in the most delicious way possible.

Now, let’s talk versatility! It’s super easy to make, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the company of your loved ones. It’s also useful on so many things – besides the usual Mexican-inspired dishes, like our Mushroom & Tofu ‘Taco’ Meat, I also thin out this sauce to use as a dressing on a southwest bowl or salad, or as a topper for my morning hummus toast. Plus, as busy entrepreneurs, it’s essential to us that our recipes are made with common ingredients, come together quickly, and are beginner-friendly.

So go ahead, whip up a batch of this Oil-Free Cilantro Avocado Sauce and get ready to elevate your tacos with a burst of creamy, zesty goodness! I’m sure you will figure out what else to slather it on after you taste it.

avo cilantro sauce top view

Key Ingredients

Let’s take a closer look at each ingredient in our Oil-Free Cilantro Avocado Sauce and uncover why they deserve a spot in the lineup:

  • Cilantro leaves bring a burst of fresh, vibrant flavor to the sauce, infusing it with lively herbaceousness. Beyond their delicious taste, cilantro leaves are also rich in antioxidants and vitamins. Cilantro has been shown to aid in detoxifying the body as well. It’s a powerhouse. Seriously, add it to your morning smoothies! We know at least half of you will disagree—my husband Mark is in that camp.
  • Lime juice adds a bright, zesty tanginess to the sauce, balancing out the richness of the avocado and enhancing the flavor with refreshing acidity. In addition to its culinary benefits, lime juice is also a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants, providing a boost to our immune system and overall health.
  • Garlic brings a pungent flavor and aroma with its bold and savory notes. Beyond its culinary benefits, garlic is also known for its immune-boosting properties and potential to reduce inflammation, making it a flavorful and nutritious addition to our recipe.
  • Sea salt enhances the flavor of the sauce, while also helping to balance out the other ingredients. There are many kinds of salt out there. We prefer green salt due to its reduced sodium content, sourced from a sea vegetable known as sea asparagus or salicornia. Exercise caution in selecting salt if you’re watching your sodium intake.
  • Avocado serves as the creamy base of our sauce, lending it a luxurious texture and rich flavor that’s hard to resist. Avocados are also packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, fiber, and an array of vitamins and minerals.
  • Rice vinegar adds a subtle tanginess and a hint of sweetness to the sauce, complementing the other ingredients and enhancing their overall flavor. 
  • Maple syrup is included to effectively balance the acidity in the recipe while imparting a natural sweetness and rich flavor.
avo cilantro sauce ingredients top view

The Process

Creating our delicious Oil-Free Cilantro Avocado Sauce is a breeze! Begin by gathering, prepping and measuring all of the ingredients. De-stem the cilantro leaves and roughly chop them to ensure smooth blending. Then, peel and pit the avocados, and roughly chop the garlic cloves.

Next, in a high-speed blender or food processor, add all ingredients except for the water. Now, it’s blending time! Start blending on a low speed, gradually increasing to high. Stop occasionally to add water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency. Scrape down the sides of the blender or processor with a spatula to ensure all the ingredients are well incorporated. Leave the sauce thicker for a dip or thin it out to make it a dressing.

avo cilantro sauce blender top view

Once the sauce reaches your desired consistency, give it a taste test and adjust the seasoning as needed. Feel free to add more seasonings if needed or additional lime juice or vinegar for an extra burst of tanginess. Remember, cooking is all about personal preference! 

Recipe Tips

  • Feel free to decrease the amount of sea salt to suit your needs or use a different type of salt. We like green salt as it has less sodium than sea salt.
  • We like to use this recipe for a thicker sauce for tacos OR as a dressing for salads or bowls. Add more water if a thinner dressing is desired.
  • The maple syrup balances the acid of the vinegar and lime juice. We recommend that you do not skip this ingredient. If you don’t have maple syrup, feel free to use honey if that aligns with your values.
  • Fresh raw garlic will have a zestier, more intense garlic flavor. If you would prefer to tame the garlic in the recipe, feel free to use ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder instead.
  • A ripe avocado will have more flavor and blend more easily. A ripe avocado will give a little bit when you squeeze it. The sauce will not work with unripe avocados.
  • The vinegar adds some extra tang to the dressing, but feel free to omit it if lime juice and cilantro are zingy enough for you. We actually like extra vinegar in ours.
  • We love this sauce on tacos, nachos or any Mexican-inspired dish. It is also great on baked potatoes, salads, as a dip for crudité and even on toast!
Avocado Cilantro Sauce

Keepin’ it Fresh: How to store the Oil-free Cilantro Avocado Sauce

Store leftover sauce in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. We do not recommend freezing this sauce. It will not do well to freeze it. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it last in the fridge?

The sauce will last about 5 days in the refrigerator. Store it in a covered container.

Can I freeze it?

We do not recommend freezing this sauce. It will not do well to freeze

Can I use store-bought guacamole as a base for this sauce instead of a fresh avocado?

Yes! Experiment and adjust the seasonings as you see fit! You might just invent the next big thing!

Can I use a regular blender to make this?

Yes! Avocado is soft and will blend just fine with a regular blender. Stop blending to scrape down the sides occasionally. It’s possible that an immersion blender might work just as well for this one, although we have not tried it.

Will the sauce turn brown in the fridge like guacamole does?

Avocados turn brown when exposed to air. However, the lime juice should keep it green for at least a few days. If you’re worried about it turning brown, you could cover it with plastic wrap (touching the sauce) before putting the lid on the container to limit its exposure to air.

If you made this recipe, don’t be shy—show off your culinary skills on your socials and tag us! We absolutely love seeing how our recipes inspire creativity in our readers’ kitchens. So, let’s spread the kitchen love and share the deliciousness together!

Oil-Free Avocado Cilantro Sauce

Oil-Free Cilantro Avocado Sauce

Creamy avocado, fresh cilantro, zesty lime juice, and a hint of garlic all come together in a whirlwind of flavor that's as vibrant as it is irresistible. This oil-free cilantro avocado sauce is the perfect companion for tacos, burritos, nachos, and more!
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 1 cup

Equipment

  • Blender

Ingredients 

  • ½ cup cilantro leaves, loosely packed
  • ¼ cup lime juice, about 2 limes
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ½ tsp sea salt, or omit if desired
  • 1 avocado, large
  • 2 tsp maple syrup
  • 3 tbsp rice vinegar
  • ¼ cup water, may need more
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Instructions 

  • Place all ingredients, except for the water, in a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth. Thin out the sauce by gradually adding water until it reaches your preferred consistency.

Notes

Try it on tacos… like these Vegan Mushroom & Tofu Taco ‘Meat’
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