This herby, spicy, garlicky green sauce is so good! It is easy to make and packs a huge flavor punch that can turn a humble meal into a fancy-feeling one in an instant. No one flavor is too powerful but you get a little hit from each ingredient in every bite.
I made this spicy green sauce because I was trying to recreate these spicy potatoes from one of my favorite Mediterranean restaurants in Downey, CA called Green Olive. But it actually turned out a little more like this crazy good green sauce from a Venezuelan restaurant in Santa Ana, CA called Mil Jugos. So it was still a win. I really don’t know what either restaurant puts in their sauces, I just know both are spicy, garlicky and fresh herbs are involved. Oh and they are so good they are the kind of thing you daydream about.
I’ve been debating what to even call it. Spicy Green Sauce seemed the most obvious so I googled “spicy green sauce” to see what is out there and turns out people seem to have a general consensus about what constitutes spicy green sauce (fresh herbs, garlic, some type of pepper, etc.)
Many recipes are for a Peruvian sauce called Aji Verde, and mine has some similarities but I can’t call it that because of some key differences. Most recipes I’m seeing for Aji Verde call for mayonnaise and/or cheese and different types of peppers (hot yellow pepper/Aji amarillo). And huacatay/black mint paste, which I’ve just heard of for the first time today! Mine does not have any dairy or mayo. Just some avocado oil.
If you are looking for a delightfully in your face flavor kind of sauce to liven up almost any dish—roasted potatoes/veggies, eggs, tacos, salad, meat—try it!
Ingredients for spicy green sauce
- Hot & sweet jalapeños: I LOVE THESE. For me, the hot/sweet factor is a critical element in this sauce. If you make it with regular jalapeños (I haven’t tried yet) obviously, that sweet element will be missing. You could try adding sugar to taste. I am planning on trying this with regular jalapeños soon and hope to have an alternative option with regular pickled jalapeños and sugar.
- Fresh cilantro
- Fresh parsley
- Garlic
- Lemon
- Avocado oil
Super simple ingredients! It’s amazing to me that these basic ingredients can make such an unforgettable sauce.
How to make spicy green sauce
No special instructions or monologues here, just throw everything in a blender and press go! Once the sauce is blended/smooth, store in a jar with a secure lid and enjoy for up to one week.
What can I put spicy green sauce on?
This sauce can be used on SO many dishes. One of my favorites is roasted potatoes, of course. But it’s also fab with:
- This yummy Mediterranean Chicken Bowl
- Grilled/roasted meat
- Grilled/roasted veggies
- Any Mexican dish: quesadillas, burritos, tacos, etc.
Tried this recipe?
If you try this recipe, please consider leaving a comment/rating below and let me know how it went. I’d love to hear from you! You can also connect with me on instagram and Pinterest.
More yummy sauce recipes
PrintSpicy Green Sauce
A fresh, spicy and delicious all-purpose green sauce. This is great with meat, roasted veggies (especially potatoes!) and more!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Category: Condiment, Sauce
- Cuisine: American, Mediterranean, South American
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup hot and sweet jalapeños
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup avocado oil
- 2 small cloves garlic or 1 large
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Store in a jar in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Want less heat? Reduce jalapeños to 1/3 cup and add 2 tbsp mayo. Voila!
Anne
Another hit! I made it and my husband wouldn’t stop telling me how it tastes like restaurant quality food! I’m already planning on making it again for some friends next weekend!!! I didn’t have the spicy and sweet jalepenos so I used chili flakes and one jalepeno that has grown to fullness in my garden haha. But it still tasted amazing. Can’t wait to get the jalepenos you recommended and try it with that next time.
Becky
Haha Aw! What a nice compliment 🙂 I’m glad to know it was still good with different jalapenos. I haven’t been able to test it with any others because I love the hot and sweet ones so much!
J9
I’m trying to make Green Olive potatoes also. Is it close when it’s mixed with potatoes? Thanks!
Becky
Hi! Oh those green olive potatoes. While I set out wanting to copy green olive I loved the flavor of this sauce so much I kinda stopped trying to make it exactly the same haha. So I can’t say its exactly like green olive but definitely takes care of a spice potato craving for me and think if you love their potatoes you would enjoy this as well! Let me know what you think if you try it!