• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
simply ceecee
  • home
  • recipes
  • About
    • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • START HERE!
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • HOME
  • RECIPES
  • START HERE!
  • ABOUT
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Sauces | Dressings

    Creamy Cilantro Jalapeno Sauce (vegan)

    Published: May 2, 2021 · Modified: Sep 20, 2022 · by Tracy Halasz · 3 Comments

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    If you love drizzles and dips like we do, you're going to go crazy for this creamy cilantro jalapeno sauce recipe. Super luscious, this dairy-free sauce is embarrassingly simple to make with only a few ingredients including cashews, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime. It makes the perfect creamy dressing, drizzle or dip (gluten free and oil free)!

    Overhead shot of bright green cashew sauce in a bowl surrounded by limes and green chilies.
    Table of Contents show
    1 It's so Versatile!
    2 What's in Creamy Jalapeno Sauce?
    3 Let's Make Spicy Cashew Dressing
    4 Expert Tips
    5 Ways to Serve
    6 Creamy Cilantro Jalapeno Sauce Recipe
    6.1 Equipment
    6.2 INGREDIENTS
    6.3 INSTRUCTIONS
    6.4 NOTES

    It's so Versatile!

    Super versatile and flavorful, this spicy cashew cream is ready to enjoy in under 5 minutes. Just like my sweet and spicy tahini sauce and hoisin peanut sauce, it's gluten free and oil-free, plus it stays fresh in the fridge all week. Plus it's perfect as a sauce or drizzle on vegan taco bowls, vegan tacos, rice bowls, hamburger and grilled veggies. It also makes a delicious and healthy salad dressing or coleslaw dressing.

    And if you want even more, check out all the sauces on my Vegan Sauce Page.

    What's in Creamy Jalapeno Sauce?

    Ingredients for cilantro lime cashew cream sauce on a cutting board.

    Another delicious 5 minute vegan sauce/dressing/dip that packs a lot of flavor, here's the ingredients you'll need:

    • raw cashews - the raw cashews give the sauce it's creamy, non-dairy base
    • garlic - one medium or two small cloves
    • jalapeno chilli peppers - fresh jalapenos bring the heat
    • fresh cilantro - fresh, herbal flavor plus gorgeous green color (use leaves and tender stems)
    • lime - fresh lime juice and zest adds tang and brightens up the sauce
    • maple syrup - just a few drops balances the heat
    • salt - makes all the flavors sing

    Let's Make Spicy Cashew Dressing

    There are only a few steps to make this simple cashew cream sauce. Let's get started . . .

    Jar of jalapeno green cashew cream in front of a blender on a cutting board.

    So easy to make - just place the ingredients into a high speed blender like a Vitamix and let it do all the work. My Vitamix gets A LOT of action - it's the hardest working appliance in my vegan kitchen!

    If you don't have a high-power blender, pour boiling water over the cashews, cover them, and soak for 30 minutes or more. They get plump and juicy and are easier to blend into a smooth creamy sauce.

    The high-speed blender version requires very little soaking - pour boiling hot water over the cashews, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes. Drain and proceed with recipe.

    Big bowl of raw cashews.
    raw cashew nuts
    Soaked cashews in a bowl.
    soaked cashew nuts

    Expert Tips

    Balancing flavor is everything when it comes to making this creamy cilantro jalapeno sauce; here's a few tips to help you find the perfect mix of sweet, spicy, tangy and garlicky:

    • Sauce or dressing?: Adjust the cashew sauce consistency by adding more or less liquid. If making a thicker dip, start off with less water. Making a dressing? Add an extra tablespoon of water at a time until desired consistency is met. Note: cashew sauce does thicken up after being chilled!
    • Customize the flavors: You control how tangy, spicy, garlicky, and salty the cashew sauce is. Start with the quantities recommended in the recipe and then adjust to your taste preference. Add more lime for tanginess, more cilantro for herbaceousness, and more or less garlic for pungency. Keep in the mind that garlic flavor intensifies and becomes more prominent over a few days. If the sauce tastes flat, salt is almost always the answer! Add another sprinkle or two, stir it in and taste again.
    • Jalapeno chilies: I used the whole jalapeno pepper - seeds, membranes and all. But you control how much heat/spice to your preference. Remove some of the seeds, add only half the jalapeno pepper then taste and adjust. If you want it hotter, add the other half of the pepper and the seeds until you are happy with the heat index.
    Overhead shot of bright green tahini sauce in a bowl surrounded by limes and green chilies.
    cilantro lime crema

    Ways to Serve

    This spicy, creamy cilantro lime crema makes a sensational drizzle, dip or sauce for anything and everything! Here's some of our favorite ways to serve it:

    • Tacos - Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos, Tofu Tacos
    • Burgers - Cauliflower Burger, Jackfruit Burger
    • Sandwiches - California Veggie Sandwich, Vegan Shawarma Wrap
    • Buddha Bowls - Spicy Taco Bowl, Simple Rice Bowl
    • Tofu Breakfast - Tofu Scramble, Breakfast Bowl
    • Grilled vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, etc.
    • Serve as a thick dip with veggies at summer parties and BBQ.

    Did you make this recipe? 
    I'd love to see it! Please leave a comment and star rating below

    and tag me in your photos on IG @ceeceecooks
    CRAVING MORE VEGAN RECIPES: Sign up for my email NEWSLETTER!

    Overhead shot of a bowl of creamy green cilantro jalapeno cashew sauce.

    Creamy Cilantro Jalapeno Sauce Recipe

    Creamy cilantro jalapeno sauce takes only 5 minutes to make which is lucky because it's going to be this summer's favorite recipe for dipping, drizzling, and dressings! It's spicy, creamy, sweet, and garlicky. Drizzle this luscious sauce on salads, dollop it on tacos or grilled vegetables and scoop it up with crunchy veggies. You're going to love it!!!
    Author : Tracy Halasz
    Servings:6 servings

    Rate this recipe!

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins

    Equipment

    • high-power blender

    INGREDIENTS

    • ½ cup raw cashews, soaked
    • ⅓-1/2 cup water
    • ½ bunch cilantro, rough chop
    • 1 jalapeno, cut into 3 or 4 chunks
    • 1 medium garlic clove, rough chop
    • 1 lime juice and zest
    • ½ tsp salt (or more to taste)
    • ¼ - ½ tsp maple syrup (optional)

    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    • If no high-power blender: place cashews in the blender cup, pour boiling water over the cashews, replace lid and let soak for 30 minutes up to 2 hours (until plump).
      Drain, rinse and continue with recipe.
    • With a high-power blender, you can get away without pre-soaking. Just boil the ⅓-1/2 cup water, pour over the ½ cup cashews in the blender cup, add the other ingredients, replace the lid and puree until smooth.
    • It's not necessary to pick the leaves off the cilantro. Cut any large stalks off but the smaller, tender stems are fine to include.
    • The consistency will be a thick dressing. Add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if you want a thinner more pourable drizzle. Or add less water if you'd like a thicker dip or sauce.

    NOTES

    Easy to make thick or thin consistency to use as a dip, sauce, dressing or drizzle by adding more or less water.
    Jalapeno peppers carry heat in the seeds and membranes as well so if your family doesn't like too much heat, remove the seeds, start with ½ a jalapeno pepper, and then taste and adjust to your personal preference.
    The cashews puree more evenly and creamy if they are plump and juicy. If you don't have a high-power blender, soaking the cashews is essential for a smooth cashew sauce. Either the boiling water method for up to a couple hours or soak in cool water overnight covered in the refrigerator.

    This recipe is from simplyceecee.co food blog. All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images or republish this recipe without prior permission. Thank you.

    Tried this recipe? Tag me!Mention @ceeceecooks or tag #ceeceecooks

    More Vegan Sauces Drizzles and Dips

    • Tray of roasted Brussels sprouts.
      Crispy Brussels Sprouts (2 ways)
    • Vegan caesar dressing in a jar with a spoon for serving.
      Really Good Vegan Caesar Dressing
    • Jar of ranch dressing with a spoon surrounded by radishes, avocado tomatoes and lettuce greens.
      Easy Vegan Ranch Dressing (gf)
    • Chipotle sauce in a glass jar with a spoonful being lifted out.
      Creamy Chipotle Sauce (vegan)
    447 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. elena

      October 12, 2022 at 12:39 pm

      Do you think you could make this with cashew butter?

      Reply
      • Tracy Halasz

        October 13, 2022 at 5:30 pm

        I haven't tried it with cashew butter. It would likely need additional liquid to get the right consistency. Let me know if you try.

        Reply
    2. Rae

      April 18, 2023 at 12:23 pm

      5 stars
      I made this for tacos and it was incredible!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Picture of Ceecee Cooks.

    Hi, I’m Tracy, welcome! I’ve been creating and cooking vegetarian/vegan food for decades, and love helping others on their journey to eat more plants. Here you’ll find super flavorful vegan recipes you and your family will love – vegan or not!

    More about me →

    Subscribe
    Sign up with your email address to receive new vegan recipes!
    Thank you for subscribing!

    Top Posts

    • Plate of saucy orange tofu served on a bed of rice with a sprinkle of green onions and sesame seeds.
      Crispy Orange Tofu (vegan + gf)
    • Freshly pan fried crispy tofu draining on a paper towel.
      Crispy Pan Fried Tofu
    • Freshly baked rustic bread surrounded by baking paper in a Dutch oven.
      Simplest No-Knead Overnight Bread
    • Thai Crunch Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing
    • Vegetarian shawarma made with soy curls and chickpeas piled high with chickpeas and veggies in a wrap.
      Succulent Vegan Shawarma
    • Bowl filled with lentil bolognese toss in pasta.
      Easy Lentil Bolognese (vegan + gf)

    Big Pan Meals (chili, soup)

    • Vegetarian Lentil Bolognese simmering in a Dutch oven on the stove.
      20 Popular Vegan Recipes for Fall & Winter
    • Stone ground cornbread in a cast iron pan topped with jalapenos and whipped butter.
      Ultimate Vegan Cornbread Recipe
    • Twisted garlic butter breadsticks with fresh Italian herbs.
      Easy Homemade Breadsticks (vegan)
    • Bowlful of crunchy croutons spilling over onto white countertop.
      Crispy Air Fryer Croutons (easy!)
    • Bowl of tomato soup topped with croutons and fresh basil.
      Ultimate Vegan Tomato Soup (easy + gf)
    • Ramekins filled with Shepherd's pie topped a piped edge of mashed potatoes.
      Easy Vegan Shepherd's Pie

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for our Sunday morning Newsletter!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020 Simply CeeCee

    447 shares