With freshly squeezed lime juice, fresh cilantro, and a creamy mayo base, this cilantro lime aioli will be your new favorite sauce for everything from tacos, steak, french fries, and more!
I love the combination of lime juice and zest, peppery cilantro, creamy mayonnaise, and olive oil. This fresh, cool, and citrusy sauce adds intense flavor to savory foods like Steak French Fries, Smoked Tri-Tip, Corn Fritters, and Chicken Legs. Just drizzle or dip for a new spin on any dish.
Because this cilantro lime aioli goes so well with different types of foods (and it is so good... you'll want to savor every last drop) and takes just minutes to prepare, I like to keep a batch of this in the fridge to serve with meals throughout the week!
Jump to:
Why This Recipe Works
1. It's quick and easy! With just 10 minutes of prep time, you'll have a big batch to enjoy anytime you want it.
2. It's so versatile. You can serve this with grilled meat, fries, tacos, quesadillas, fish, burgers, and sandwiches.
3. You only need a handful of fresh ingredients. Using fresh and flavorful ingredients like lime, cilantro, and garlic, makes this sauce pop with flavor!
🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
- Mayonnaise: Mayo adds a creamy and rich base to this sauce, with a little bit of tang. Don't use Miracle Whip and don't use mayo that has been made with olive oil.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Using EVVO, you'll cut some of the tangy flavor from the mayo. It helps add another layer of richness and makes the aioli extra creamy and smooth.
- Garlic: Adds a fresh burst of flavor. For best results, use fresh garlic. Do no use powdered, jarred minced, or dried garlic.
- Cilantro: With an earthy, pungent, peppery lemon flavor, cilantro adds a burst of freshness to this sauce.
- Lime: Using the juice and zest from fresh lime, you'll add a bright citrus flavor that perfectly complements the cilantro and lightens up the rich base of mayo and oil.
- Black pepper: For a little spicy kick to complement the fresh and cool flavors. Use freshly ground black pepper if possible.
🥣 Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
Step 1: Start by finely chopping the cilantro and mincing the garlic.
Step 2: Next, zest the lime.
Step 3: Add the mayonnaise, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, lime juice, zest of the lime, and black pepper to a small mixing bowl.
Step 4: Using a whisk, mix all the ingredients until well combined. The texture should be velvety and creamy.
Cover and store in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This is by far one of the easiest and most delicious homemade condiments and sauces you will ever make in your kitchen! And it pairs so well with just about anything!
🙋🏼♀️ Recipe FAQs
Because of the fresh ingredients, this cilantro lime sauce is best when stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container and eaten within 3 to 5 days.
I highly recommend using fresh lime juice and fresh lime zest. Bottled juice doesn't have the same flavor, and you'll want the zest for the extra burst of flavor and brightness it adds.
Absolutely! For a vegan cilantro lime aioli, just swap the regular mayonnaise for your favorite vegan mayo.
Expert Tips
- Finely chop the cilantro so that every drop has a lemony, peppery flavor and the consistency is smooth. Use a sharp knife or even a vegetable chopper to finely chop the cilantro leaves.
- Since there's not a lot to this recipe, using fresh ingredients is key. Freshly juiced and zested lime, garlic that's just been minced, and freshly chopped cilantro adds the most robust flavor to this aioli sauce.
- Letting it sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes helps the flavors really meld together. Don't skip this step!
- You can use an immersion blender for an extra creamy and luscious texture, but hand whisking is usually enough to achieve the velvety texture you want.
🍲 More Recipes You'll Love!
If you tried this cilantro lime aioli or any other recipes on my website, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below. I love hearing from you! And, please leave a 🌟 rating while you're there!
📧 Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter, so that you don’t miss out on any of my delicious recipes!
Cilantro Lime Aioli
Ingredients
- 6 Tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
- zest from the lime
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add the mayonnaise, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, lime juice, zest of the lime, and black pepper to a small mixing bowl.
- Using a whisk, mix well to combine. The texture should be velvety and creamy.
- Cover and store in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Finely chop the cilantro so that every drop has a lemony, peppery flavor and the consistency is smooth. Use a sharp knife or even a vegetable chopper to finely chop the cilantro leaves.
- Since there's not a lot to this recipe, using fresh ingredients is key. Freshly juiced and zested lime, garlic that's just been minced, and freshly chopped cilantro adds the most robust flavor to this cilantro lime aioli.
- Letting it sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- You can use an immersion blender for an extra creamy and luscious texture, but hand whisking is usually enough to achieve the velvety texture you want.
Amy Liu Dong
This recipe is awesome i can maybe try this to make aioli different this time, it looks good!