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The BEST Creamy Jalapeño Sauce Recipe 🌶️

Published: · Updated: by · 6 Comments

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Are you ready for a delicious flavor adventure? Allow us to introduce our Creamy Jalapeño Sauce! It's incredibly easy to make and perfect for adding flavor to grilled meats, salads, or veggies. With just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes of your time, you can create a unique and outstanding sauce. With its creamy texture and amazing taste, this sauce will completely transform your meals!

Creamy Jalapeño Sauce in a glass jar with a spoon in it
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Preparation and cooking overview

The appeal of this creamy jalapeño sauce is its simplicity. All you need to do is boil some jalapeños until they're soft, then blend them with onion, garlic, lime juice, cumin, and sea salt. As you blend, drizzle in some avocado oil to give it that creamy touch. In just 15 minutes, you can transform these simple ingredients into a mouthwatering sauce that's sure to delight.

Chef's note

Feel free to play around with this recipe to make it truly your own. Try adding a splash of vinegar, a sprinkle of garlic powder, or a touch of onion powder. This delightful twist can add an extra layer of excitement to your keto meals.

Creamy Jalapeño Sauce on a wooden tasting spoon resting on a brown ceramic plate with a few slices of jalapeño to the side
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Recipe Makes 8 Servings

🌶️ Ingredients for this creamy jalapeño sauce recipe

Here's a list of ingredients you'll need for this jalapeño sauce:

  • 10 large jalapeño peppers (stems removed, keeping the peppers whole)
  • 1 small yellow onion
  • 4 large cloves of garlic
  • 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon of fine sea salt
  • ¼ to ½ teaspoon of ground cumin
  • ⅓ cup avocado oil
  • jalapeños lined up on a grey backdrop
  • ingredients for the salsa on a light backgroun

Ingredient substitutions

Do you see something on the ingredients list that you'd rather skip? No worries! Here are a few keto-friendly substitutions:

  • Yellow onion: You can use any onion in this recipe. No yellow onions? White onions work too. If you're out of onions, swap in shallots or leeks.
  • Fresh lime juice: If you're out of lime juice, feel free to use lemon juice or vinegar instead. It's all about making the recipe work for you!

Additional ingredients

Feel free to jazz up this delicious recipe with a few additions. The ingredients are entirely optional:

  • Cilantro: Toss in some chopped fresh cilantro for a vibrant twist.
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt: Add a scoop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for extra creaminess.
  • Cotija cheese: Want a salty crunch? Sprinkle on some cotija cheese.
  • Tomatillos: Roast a few tomatillos and green peppers, and add them for a slightly sweet twist and a thicker texture.
  • Roasted red bell pepper: Add one roasted red bell pepper for a sweet, smoky flavor and a beautiful red hue.

Cooking tools required

To make this homemade creamy jalapeño sauce recipe, you'll need the following tools:

  • Large pot
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Spoon or spatula

How to make Creamy Jalapeño Sauce: step-by-step guide

Cooking methods

  • Boiling

Preparation steps

  1. Collect all the ingredients you'll need for the recipe.
  2. Rinse the jalapeño peppers and let them dry.
  3. Remove the stems from the jalapeño peppers. If you prefer less heat, take out the seeds and membranes.

Cooking instructions

  1. Drop the jalapeño peppers into a large pot of boiling water.
  2. Let them boil for about 5-10 minutes until they turn very soft.
  3. Drain the peppers and put them in a food processor. Add the onion, garlic cloves, lime juice, cumin, and sea salt.
  4. Blend these until smooth.
  5. While the processor is still running, gradually pour in the avocado oil. Continue processing until the mixture becomes creamy.
  6. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or cumin as needed.
  7. Chill in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve it. Enjoy!

Note: The sauce can be served immediately, but the flavor will develop further over 6-8 hours, and the sauce will become slightly thicker after refrigeration. We find that this sauce is at its peak the day after making it. If you don't have a blender, a food processor or even an immersion blender will work.

  • jalapenos in a white Dutch oven in boiling water
  • ingredients for jalapeño sauce in a blender before blending
  • creamy jalapeño salsa blended in a blender
  • jalapeno salsa in a glass jar

Chef's pro tip

For the most flavorful taste and texture, chill the Mexican jalapeño cream sauce in the refrigerator for about 6-8 hours. This rest time lets the flavors meld together, and the sauce gains a bit of thickness, which will enhance its overall yumminess.

What to serve with this creamy jalapeño sauce

This sauce pairs well with numerous dishes. Here are some delicious ideas:

  • Drizzle it over our Keto Street-Style Cauliflower for an extra kick.
  • Use this jalapeño sauce as a flavorful dip or a marinade for grilled proteins, like our Cheesy Chicken Poppers.
  • Enjoy it as a tasty snack with low-carb Pita Chips or fresh, crunchy veggies.
  • Pour this homemade sauce over burrito bowls, salads, or even soups like our Chile Relleno Soup for a flavor upgrade.
  • Spread it on low-carb bread (maybe our Keto Rolls), add some cheese slices (opt for dairy-free like Violife if you're plant-based), grilled onions, and some micro greens for a truly memorable grilled cheese sandwich.

How to make it healthier

You can make this homemade creamy jalapeño sauce even healthier by following these tips:

  • Lower sodium: Reduce the amount of sea salt or opt for a low-sodium alternative like potassium chloride.
  • Increase fiber: Add some ground flaxseed or chia seeds. These seeds won't alter the flavor much but will boost the fiber content, which can aid digestion.
  • Add nutrients: Incorporate nutrient-dense herbs like parsley or cilantro. These will not only add a flavor boost but also increase the vitamin content of the sauce.
Creamy Jalapeño Sauce in a glass jar with a spoon in it

Time-saving tips

  • Use a garlic press: Instead of mincing garlic by hand, use a garlic press.
  • Make in bulk: Make a large batch of this sauce and freeze it in portion-sized containers. It can be easily thawed and used when needed, saving you time on busy days.

What can I prepare ahead of time?

  • Prep ahead: Chop your onions and garlic ahead of time. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge, ready for when you need them.
  • Prep other ingredients: If you plan on adding other ingredients like fresh cilantro, tomatillos, or red bell pepper, wash and chop them ahead of time.
  • Pre-measure spices: Measure the spices ahead of time and keep them ready. This way, you can just add them when it's time to blend the ingredients.

Storage instructions

  • Transfer the leftover sauce to an airtight container or jar before storing it in the refrigerator.
  • Refrigerate the sauce for up to 3 days.
  • Freezing the sauce is not recommended, as it can affect the texture and taste.

Note: Avoid reheating the sauce, as doing so changes the taste and texture.

Recipe wrap-up and conclusion

It's time to bring your own Creamy Jalapeño Sauce to life. This tasty sauce, packed with vibrant flavors, will brighten up any meal, from tacos and salads to grilled proteins.

So, grab those jalapeños, and let's get cooking! Following a few easy steps, you'll soon have a flavor-packed sauce that you won't forget.

Creamy Jalapeño Sauce in a glass jar

Frequently asked questions

This sauce can be quite spicy due to the jalapeno peppers. You can control the spiciness by adjusting the amount of jalapenos. Add more for extra heat, or use fewer for a milder flavor. It's up to you and your taste buds.

It's vegetarian since it excludes meat and meat by-products. Keep in mind certain recipes might include dairy or eggs.

What sets creamy jalapeño sauce apart from Chipotle sauce is the choice of pepper. Creamy jalapeño sauce relies on fresh jalapeno peppers, while chipotle sauce utilizes smoked and dried jalapeno peppers called chipotle peppers. Additionally, chipotle sauce tends to offer a smokier taste compared to creamy jalapeño sauce.

📖 Recipe

Creamy Jalapeño Sauce in a glass jar

Creamy Jalapeño Sauce

This Creamy Jalapeño Sauce is perfect for tacos, salads, burrito bowls, grilled proteins, and so much more! Ready in just a few minutes with only a handful of ingredients, it's a condiment you'll always want to have on hand!
4.67 from 3 votes
Print Rate Pin Recipe
Course: basic, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican, Southwestern, Spanish
Keyword: jalapeño sauce, keto salsa
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 95kcal

Ingredients

  • 10 large jalapeño peppers stems removed, keeping the peppers whole
  • 1 small onion any color, yellow is our preference
  • 4 large cloves garlic
  • 2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lime juice
  • ½ teaspoons fine sea salt
  • ¼ - ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ⅓ cup avocado oil
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Drop the jalapeño peppers into a large pot of boiling water.
  • Let them boil for about 5-10 minutes until they turn very soft.
  • Drain the peppers and put them in a food processor. Add the onion, garlic cloves, lime juice, cumin, and sea salt. Blend until smooth.
  • While the processor is still running, gradually pour in the avocado oil. Continue processing until the mixture becomes creamy.
  • Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or cumin as needed.
  • Chill in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve it.

Notes

The sauce can be served immediately but the flavor will develop further over 6-8 hours and the sauce will become slightly thicker after refrigeration. We find that this sauce is at its peak the day after making. If you don't have a blender, a food processor or even an immersion blender will work.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Creamy Jalapeño Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 95 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 6g
Sodium 148mg6%
Potassium 83mg2%
Carbohydrates 3g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 171IU3%
Vitamin C 27mg33%
Calcium 10mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
*

Nutritional values are estimates only and do not include carbs from sugar alcohols.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Svetlana says

    Do I need to remove seeds?

    Reply

    • Cast Iron Keto says

      The seeds are what give it some spice but if you'd like a milder sauce you can deseed the peppers.

      Reply

  2. chris says

    4 stars
    I wouldn't describe it as creamy, but it is good! spicy and flavorful!

    Reply

  3. Erin M. says

    5 stars
    This is so delicious (and hot)! I put it on scrambled eggs this morning, but I can't wait to try it on some tacos or carne asada. It tastes even better the day after you make it.

    Reply

  4. Lorena Reynolds says

    I make this sauce is very good but the one from Trade Joe's does not have cumin or any other spice neither onion.

    Reply

  5. Lana says

    This will be great because I’m allergic to nightshades. Nightshades include all peppers except jalapeños. Also includes any form of white potatoes, tomatoes, gogi berries, egg plant and some other odd stuff. Jalapeños are in a different family. Nightshades make your finger joints swell and hurt. It can bother other joints too.

    Reply

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