5 Ingredient Magic Green Sauce

This 5-Ingredient Magic Green Sauce truly earns its name because it makes almost everything taste better. It’s creamy from avocado, bright and fresh from cilantro, and has a little kick from jalapeño—and we use it constantly as a chicken marinade, sandwich sauce, dip for sweet potato fries, salad dressing or just eaten by the spoonful…it’s just incredible.

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I originally adapted it from the green sauce on the incredible  Serious Eats recipe called “The Best F&$king Grilled Chicken Sandwich Ever” <- with a recipe title like that-how could one not be intrigued, right? It’s made with a bun, mayo, grilled chicken, bacon, tomato, crushed potato chips, and this dreamy green sauce. Heaven!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s made in minutes with just five main ingredients.
• Avocado makes the sauce creamy without adding mayonnaise or dairy.
• It works as a sauce, dip, sandwich spread, or chicken marinade.
• The jalapeño adds flavor and adjustable heat.
• It’s an easy way to make simple grilled chicken feel like a completely different meal.
• You can make it in a food processor or small blender.
• It’s naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan.

Is Magic Green Sauce Spicy?

The heat level depends on the jalapeño. Removing the seeds and white membranes creates a milder sauce, while leaving some or all of them in adds more heat. Jalapeños can vary quite a bit, so taste a small piece before blending if you’re sensitive to spice.

The avocado and olive oil mellow the heat, so the finished sauce usually tastes bright and flavorful rather than overwhelmingly spicy.

Tips for Success

• Use a ripe avocado that gives slightly when gently pressed. An underripe avocado won’t blend as smoothly or create the same creamy texture.
• Start with less cilantro if you’re unsure, then add more until the flavor tastes right to you.
• Remove the jalapeño seeds and membranes for a milder sauce, or leave them in for more heat.
• Blend until no large pieces of cilantro or jalapeño remain and the sauce looks smooth and creamy.
• Add the water gradually if you prefer a thicker sandwich spread or dip.
• Taste after blending and add another small pinch of salt if the flavors taste flat.
• If the sauce thickens after refrigeration, stir in a splash of water or olive oil.

Ways to Use Magic Green Sauce

• Spread it on grilled chicken sandwiches.
• Use it as a marinade for chicken breasts or thighs.
• Serve it as a dip for sweet potato fries.
• Spoon it over grilled chicken, steak, shrimp, or fish.
• Drizzle it over tacos, rice bowls, or roasted vegetables.
• Spread it onto wraps, burgers, or turkey sandwiches.
• Use it as a creamy topping for baked potatoes or grain bowls.
• Thin it slightly and use it as a salad dressing.

What to Serve with Magic Green Sauce

• Sweet potato fries
• Perfectly roasted potatoes
• Red skin sour cream dill potato salad

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I make Magic Green Sauce ahead of time? Yes, although it is best when freshly made because avocado naturally darkens after it is exposed to air. Store it tightly covered in the refrigerator and press plastic wrap directly against the surface to help slow browning.
• Can I use this as a chicken marinade? Yes. This is one of the ways we use it most often. Coat the chicken with the sauce, refrigerate it while it marinates, and discard any sauce that has touched raw chicken.
• Can I make the sauce less spicy? Yes. Remove all the seeds and white membranes from the jalapeño, or begin with half a jalapeño and add more after tasting.
• Can I use a blender instead of a food processor? Absolutely. A small, powerful blender works especially well because the small amount of sauce stays close to the blade.
• Can I substitute parsley for cilantro? You can, but the flavor will be noticeably different. Cilantro gives this sauce its signature bright, fresh taste.
• Why is my sauce too thick? Avocados vary in size and texture. Blend in additional water, one teaspoon at a time, until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency.

Storage

• Store: Transfer the sauce to an airtight container and refrigerate it promptly.
• Prevent browning: Press plastic wrap directly against the surface before adding the container lid.
• Refresh: Stir the sauce before serving and add a small splash of water if it becomes too thick.
• Freeze: This sauce is best enjoyed fresh rather than frozen because avocado-based sauces can change in texture after thawing.

There’s a reason we call this Magic Green Sauce. It takes five minutes, uses a handful of fresh ingredients, and somehow makes a basic chicken breast, sandwich, or plate of sweet potato fries feel exciting. We use it most often as a chicken marinade, but the chicken sandwich with bacon, tomato, mayo, crushed potato chips, and plenty of this sauce will always be one of my favorite ways to eat it. My fave little blender to make this sauce super creamy is this one!

Other recipes you might enjoy:

• 5 Ingredient Cheese Sauce Recipe
• Green Goddess Dipping Sauce/Dressing with Yogurt
• Homemade Enchilada Sauce

5 Ingredient Green Sauce

This 5 ingredient magic green sauce is just as the recipe title suggests – magic! It’s SO versatile. It can be used as a salad dressing, a marinade, a sandwich spread, a pasta sauce, eaten by the spoonful…it’s just incredible.

4.50 from 2 votes

Print Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 cup sauce

Ingredients

• 1/2 avocado
• 1 large jalapeño
• 1/2-1 cup fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

• Add all ingredients to a food processor (or blender) and pulsate/process until smooth.
• Taste the sauce to make sure it's salty enough for your liking - if you like it saltier add a pinch a more.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 101kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Sodium: 268mg | Fiber: 2g

Recipe adapted from Serious Eats sauce used on The Best F&$king Grilled Chicken Sandwich Ever