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Creamy and not too spicy, this Taco Truck Green Sauce Recipe is dreamy! Loaded with authentic Mexican flavors, this raw green salsa is perfect as a dip, on tacos, or as a side dish to eggs. Ready in just 15 minutes or less!

Overhead shot of Taco Truck Green Sauce Recipe in a white bowl with a tortilla chip surrounded by ingredients on a table.

Green Taco Sauce has to be one of my favorite authentic Mexican recipes. I lived in Texas for 7 years and whenever I would buy a street taco from a taco truck, I would always add a little bit (okay, let’s be real here, a lot) of their green creamy sauce. It was just so tasty. Gas station barbacoa tacos smothered with creamy yellow-green sauce with a mint yerba matte or topo chico to wash it all down. Really living that Tex-Mex dream!

Not to be confused with tomatillo salsa, this recipe is made with chili peppers instead of tomatillos (green tomatoes). The first time I made this Taco Truck Green Sauce recipe, I used Scotch Bonnet peppers. They really didn’t have the same taste as jalapenos, and it didn’t taste right. The next time I used jalapenos instead, and it wasabsolutely perfect. I felt like I was back in Austin!

This creamy salsa is a great thing to add to Mexican food, served as a dip, or have as a side with eggs for breakfast. It’s one of those sauces that kind of just goes with everything!

๐Ÿ’š Why you will love this recipe

  • So easy: All you have to do to make this taco truck green sauce recipe is boil the peppers and then blend everything together.
  • Quick: This delicious sauce is ready in 15 minutes or less!
  • Authentic: This really tastes like the real deal! It’s just like that green stuff you find in Mexican restaurants, gas station taco shops, or your favorite taco trucks. It’s the ultimate sauce recipe!
  • Just 6 fresh ingredients: I kept it really simple by using everything fresh! Jalapenos, onion, garlic, lime, oil, and salt.
  • Texture: This easy recipe has such a delicious creamy texture. It’s amazing!
  • Healthy: This creamy jalapeño sauce contains all-natural ingredients that are so good for you, including raw garlic and olive oil.
  • Fits many diets: This recipe is naturally vegan, paleo, whole30, gluten-free, low carb, and keto-friendly.
Hand holding chip dipped in taco truck green sauce.

๐Ÿ—๏ธ Key Ingredients & Substitutions

  • Jalapeños: I used fresh jalapenos for this Green Taco Sauce recipe. Serrano peppers are a good substitute if you’d like the green salsa spicier. I’ve tried this recipe with scotch bonnet peppers and it just didn’t taste right so I’d avoid using those.
  • Onion: White onion is traditionally used in Mexican green sauce, however, I added red onion. I always have it on hand and I like the slightly sweeter taste it has.
  • Garlic: Fresh, raw garlic cloves provide a ton of flavor! I love raw garlic in recipes – it’s so good for you and tastes amazing!
  • Oil: I added light olive oil, but any neutral oil like avocado oil will be great. I prefer olive oil because eating it raw is so good for you. It emulsifies and turns this into a creamy jalapeno salsa.
  • Lime: Fresh lime juice from 1 whole lime brightens this salsa verde recipe beautifully.
  • Salt: Season to taste at the end with your preferred salt.

๐Ÿฅฃ How to make Green Taco Truck Sauce

1. Boil water: Begin by adding warm water to a pot on the stove and bringing it to a boil.

2. Boil jalapenos: Add the jalapenos and boil them whole for 10 minutes until they are soft.

Jalapenos boiling in a stainless steel pot on the stove.

3. Prep the other ingredients: While the jalapeño peppers are boiling, juice the lime, and chop the onion into large chunks and add them to a large bowl.

Ingredients in a stainless steel bowl.

4. Remove jalapeno stems: When the jalapeno peppers have finished boiling, carefully remove them from the water and slice the stems off.

5. Blend: Add the jalapenos to the other ingredients in the large bowl and blend them with a hand blender. You can also use a food processor to do this.

Blending ingredients in a stainless steel bowl with a hand blender.

6. Serve: Garnish this creamy jalapeño salsa with fresh cilantro if desired, and dig in!

Spoon dripping taco truck green sauce into a white bowl, surrounded by ingredients on a table.

๐Ÿช„ Recipe Notes & Tips

  • Boil the jalapenos whole, taking care not to slice off the stems until after they’re cooked. This helps with the flavor and keeps the spicy seeds inside (which we want!).
  • Like it hotter? Try serrano or poblano peppers!
  • I like to keep Taco Truck Green Sauce in a squeeze bottle for easier pouring, especially if the peppers are spicier than usual!
  • Stick to healthy oils if you can! I opted for olive oil which is incredibly good for you in its raw form. Avocado oil is also a great option for this creamy jalapeno sauce. I tend to avoid vegetable oil, sunflower oil, and grapeseed oil as they’re not as healthy.
  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

๐Ÿฝ๏ธ What to serve this creamy green sauce with

Any of your favorite Mexican foods or savory breakfasts get an instant flavor boost with a drizzle of this Green Taco Sauce! It is also amazing as a dip. Here are a few of my favorites to have this with:

โ“ Frequently Asked Questions

What is green hot sauce made of?

Spicy green sauce is made with 6 simple ingredients: jalapenos, onion, garlic, oil, lime juice, and salt.

What is the green Tabasco sauce?

Green Tabasco sauce is made from jalapeno peppers, vinegar, and salt. Although similar to this Taco Truck Green Sauce Recipe, it’s much tangier and a little spicier as it isn’t cut with olive oil. The onion and garlic also give this recipe a little sweetness which is lacking in Tabasco green sauce.

Can I use green taco sauce as a marinade?

Absolutely! Green taco sauce works wonderfully as a marinade for meats, seafood, or even grilled vegetables. Its tangy and flavorful nature can infuse your ingredients with a burst of deliciousness.

Is green taco sauce gluten-free?

Generally, green taco sauce is gluten-free. However, it’s always recommended to check the labels or make your own sauce using gluten-free ingredients to ensure it aligns with your dietary preferences.

Can I freeze green taco sauce?

Yes, you can freeze green taco sauce. Pour it into an airtight container or ice cube trays for convenient portions. When you’re ready to use it, simply thaw it in the refrigerator and give it a good stir before enjoying.

What are some alternative uses for green taco sauce?

Green taco sauce is incredibly versatile. Besides tacos, you can use it as a dressing for salads, a dip for tortilla chips, a topping for grilled meats, or even as a flavorful addition to scrambled eggs. Let your culinary creativity soar!

Overhead shot of a chip dipped in taco truck green sauce in a white bowl.

๐Ÿ˜‹ More dip and sauce recipes you will love:

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๐Ÿ“– Recipe

A bowl of guacamole and chips, accompanied by taco truck green sauce, on a wooden table.

Easy Taco Truck Green Sauce Recipe

Bethany Galloway
Creamy and not too spicy, this Taco Truck Green Sauce Recipe is dreamy! Loaded with authentic Mexican flavors, this raw green salsa is perfect as a dip, on tacos, or as a side dish to eggs. Ready in just 15 minutes or less!
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Sauces & Condiments
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 1 cup of sauce
Calories 67 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 6 jalapeno peppers
  • 1/2 red onion chopped (or white or yellow onion)
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 4 tbsp light olive oil or another neutral tasting oil, see note 4
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions
 

  • Begin by adding warm water to a pot on the stove and bringing it to a boil. 
  • Add the jalapenos and boil them whole for 10 minutes until they are soft.
    Jalapenos boiling in a stainless steel pot on the stove.
  • While the jalapeño peppers are boiling, juice the lime, and chop the onion into large chunks and add them to a large bowl.
    Ingredients in a stainless steel bowl.
  • When the jalapeno peppers have finished boiling, carefully remove them from the water. I used tongs to gently take them out of the water.
    Green peppers in a bowl of water, perfect for adding a zesty kick to your tacos from the taco truck.
  • Slice the stems off of the peppers.
    Two green peppers on a cutting board with a knife, perfect for adding to your taco truck's green sauce.
  • Add the jalapenos to the ingredients in the large bowl and blend them with a hand blender. You can also use a food processor to do this.
    A metal spoon is being used to mix ingredients in a bowl, including a taco truck green sauce.
  • Garnish this creamy jalapeño salsa with fresh cilantro if desired, and dig in

Notes

  1. Boil the jalapenos whole, taking care not to slice off the stems until after they’re cooked. This helps with the flavor and keeps the spicy seeds inside (which we want!).
  2. Like it hotter? Try serrano or poblano peppers!
  3. I like to keep mine in a squeeze bottle for easier pouring, especially if the peppers are spicier than usual!
  4. Stick to healthy oils if you can! I opted for olive oil which is incredibly good for you in its raw form. Avocado oil is also a great option for this creamy jalapeno sauce. I tend to avoid vegetable oil, sunflower oil, and grapeseed oil as they’re not as healthy.
  5. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 67kcalCarbohydrates: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 146mgSugar: 1g
Keyword dip, easy, green salsa, jalapeno dip, quick, raw, sauce, side dish, spicy, tacos, vegan, vegetarian
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    We tried your Taco Truck Green Sauce Recipe and found it to be spot on. The only addition I would make is to mention to folks that there are two variables involved in working with jalapenos. Size and heat are much variable. Jalapenos fall into the mild category on most pepper heat scales. But at 2500 to 5000 on the Scoville scale it can be a ripper for those people with an unprepared mouth. In the other topic, Jalapenos can come in sizes from two inches to almost five inches long. The girth of the pepper will increase proportionally.
    My point is, approach jalapenos with caution.

    And don’t rub your eyes after working with them. As a matter of fact, when working with any pepper, wear gloves. The oil from a pepper will cling to your skin through a casual washing.

    1. 5 stars
      Thanks, Jeff! This is fantastic advice (especially the gloves – speaking from experience here!). I’ll be sure to make the instructions more clear about handling the peppers with caution, and also some tips on hot pepper sizes. Thanks again, and I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! It’s one of my favorite sauces to make =]

      Cheers,
      Bethany

5 from 5 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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