Creamy Jalapeno Sauce is one of my all-time favorite condiments. It’s incredibly versatile, adding just the right amount of flavor without being overly spicy. Plus, it’s quick to make and stores well in the fridge, so you can enjoy it whenever the craving hits.
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The lime and garlic complement the fresh jalapeno flavor by adding brightness and acidity. Blended with the creamy sour cream and rich mayo, you get a wonderfully smooth sauce.
If you like copycat Taco Bell recipes, you will love Copycat Taco Bell Verde Sauce and Copycat Taco Bell Diablo Sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Jalapeno Sauce Recipe
- Budget-friendly: The ingredients are inexpensive, so you can try a new recipe without breaking the bank!
- Quick to prepare: It takes about 15 minutes to prepare this copycat creamy jalapeno sauce.
- Customizable recipe: Easily adjust the heat level or tweak ingredients like lime juice to suit your tastes.
Ingredients
When combined, these ingredients create a smoky, spicy, and creamy green sauce that’s even better than Taco Bell. I often refer to it as a cilantro jalapeno sauce because of its fresh herb flavor.
- Jalapenos: Choose fresh, firm green jalapenos for the perfect balance of heat without being overpowering. I also remove the seeds to keep the spice level more manageable
- Oil: This is for roasting the jalapenos, so feel free to use any oil that has a high smoke point. Canola oil is one of my favorites for this.
- Liquid smoke: I like to incorporate a little liquid smoke to reinforce the smoky flavor of the roasted peppers. Feel free to leave it out if you prefer.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro is one of my favorite ingredients to work with. It adds a nice earthy flavor to the jalapeno cream sauce.
- Mayonnaise: The rich fatty flavor of mayo is so tasty with the fresh lime and jalapenos. It also adds a creamy texture.
- Sour cream: To further smooth the jalapeno sauce, I also use sour cream. It’s perfectly tangy for balancing the spiciness.
- Lime: Fresh lime juice adds acidity and brightness, taking the zesty flavors to the next level.
- Garlic: You can’t have a good sauce without minced garlic, in my opinion. It adds balance to the recipe just like with any other jalapeno crema.
- Salt and pepper: Add your seasonings to taste. I like a little extra salt and pepper to balance the richer ingredients, but you can use less if you like.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Dairy-free: Try this recipe with dairy-free sour cream if you need a dairy-free option. To make it egg-free or vegan as well, you’ll also need to use a vegan mayo.
- Pineapple: Add some diced pineapple and a splash of juice for extra sweetness and tropical flavors.
- Extra smoky: Chili powder and smoked paprika add depth and more smoky flavors to the sauce.
How to Make Creamy Jalapeno Sauce
To make the process easier, preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper before you start to prepare your jalapenos.
Step 1: Prepare the jalapenos. Cut the fresh jalapenos in half and scoop out the seeds. Then, lay them flat on the lined baking sheet and drizzle them with olive oil.
Step 2: Roast them. Put the pan in the oven and roast the peppers for about 15 minutes or until slightly charred. Flip them halfway through for even cooking and color.
Step 3: Blend. Put all of the ingredients into the blender with the roasted jalapenos. Pulse until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Serve. Pour it into a serving bowl and serve it with your favorite dinner recipe.
⭐ Hint: If you want extra char on the jalapenos, set the oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
If you love homemade sauce recipes like this, you may also enjoy Spicy Jalapeno Hot Sauce, Scotch Bonnet Hot Sauce or this Hot BBQ Sauce.
Serving Suggestions
- Use it like a creamy jalapeno dip to serve with a Big Mac Crunchwrap for dinner or lunch.
- Drizzle it on top of Fajita Nachos with Steak for heat and smoky jalapeno flavor.
- It pairs well with breakfast too! Enjoy a dollop on top of Stuffed Hash Browns or School Breakfast Pizza.
- It also goes great smeared on the bun of an Old Fashioned Burger to add an extra burst of flavor.
Recipe Tips
- Keep the seeds: If you love spice, keep the seeds in the jalapenos to add more heat.
- Try parsley: Don’t like cilantro? Swap it for a milder herb like parsley.
- Storage directions: Store this sauce in a mason jar for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Recipe FAQs
Sure! Grill them long enough just to get char on the outside. It should take about 2 minutes per side.
I don’t recommend freezing this jalapeno sauce. As it thaws, it begins to separate and become watery. The flavor won’t be as fresh and vibrant either.
I highly recommend fresh jalapenos for this recipe. They add better flavor and you can’t roast pickled jalapenos, which is a key step to get the best tasting result.
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More Delicious Sauce Recipes
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Creamy Jalapeno Sauce
Equipment
- Food processor or blender
- Knife
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 2 jalapenos cut in half with seeds removed, roasted
- 1 tablespoon oil for roasting the jalapenos
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- ¾ cup cilantro firmly packed
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400º.
- Cut the jalapenos in half and remove the seeds. Place them on a baking sheet and drizzle them with olive oil. Roast in the oven for 15 minutes (flipping halfway through) or until soft and slightly charred. You can also broil them for a couple of minutes near the end of the cooking time.
- In a food processor or blender, add all the ingredients, including the roasted jalapenos. Blend until smooth.
- Enjoy this on everything from steak to chicken and fish. Perfect as a sauce on tacos, roasted corn, or as a salad dressing.
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Notes
- Keep the seeds: If you love spice, keep the seeds in the jalapenos to add more heat.
- Try parsley: Don’t like cilantro? Swap it for a milder herb like parsley.
- Storage directions: Store this sauce in a mason jar for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
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