Believe it or not, I haven’t always been a fan of cilantro. I feel like you either love it or hate it, and when I was in college, I remember hating it. I didn’t want it near my meals! Isn’t it strange how things can change? One day, as an adult, I tried it again and loved it. Now I’ll pour this cilantro sauce on everything. So, if you feel like you were born hating cilantro, be sure to give it another shot in case things have changed!
How to Make It
Making this cilantro sauce is as easy as it gets. Just add all of the ingredients to a blender, and blend until smooth!
Fresh cilantro Shallot (or red onion could work, too) Red wine vinegar Olive oil Red pepper flakes Garlic
When making a sauce or dressing like this, I usually try to replace at least half of the oil with water, so that the sauce is lower in calories without sacrificing any flavor. The resulting sauce is slightly thinner in texture, but since you’re blending it with the shallot and fresh herbs, those help to bulk it up so it’s not too runny. Here’s why I love it:
Cilantro (also known as coriander) seeds may help lower blood sugar. It contains antioxidants that may help to lower inflammation and slow the growth of certain cancer cells. Coriander extract may help to lower blood pressure. Heart disease rates appear to be lower in populations that consume large amounts of coriander (cilantro).
If nothing else, cilantro adds a fresh, herb-y flavor to your dishes that will make it taste like it’s from a restaurant. It’s amazing how something so easy to make can really elevate the flavor of your meal!
From there, you can taste and adjust the flavor to your liking. Never forget to customize it to your taste! If the sauce tastes too salty or sour, add a splash of sweetness to balance it out, using maple syrup or honey. If you want something creamier, you can add a spoonful of tahini, or hummus, or even a touch of plain yogurt (use a vegan one if you need to remain dairy-free).
How to Serve It
This sauce is light enough that you can serve it as a salad dressing, or you can use it as a topping on your favorite tacos, nachos, or burrito bowls. Here are some ideas to help you get started:
Drizzle it over a vegan lunch bowl, along with a scoop of hummus Serve it on Jackfruit tacos Or Vegan Tacos Serve it as a party dip for chips, along with my favorite bean dip Drizzle on Sweet Potato Nachos Or Cauliflower Nachos Try it on my Chipotle Burrito Bowls
However you try it, I hope it will be a hit in your home! I’d love to hear how you serve it in the comments below.
If you try this Cilantro Sauce, please leave a comment below letting me know how you like it. And if you make any modifications, I’d love to hear about those, too! We can all benefit from hearing about your experience. – Reader Feedback: What’s your favorite sauce these days?
