Creamy Jalapeño Basil Green Goddess Sauce

Bright, herby heat meets silky richness in this 5-minute blender sauce that turns grilled veggies, bowls, and wraps into viral-worthy bites.

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Recipe

Servings: 8 (≈ 3 Tbsp each)

Calories: ≈ 108 kcal

Total Time: 10 min

Creamy Jalapeño Basil Green Goddess Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 packed cup fresh basil leaves

• ½ packed cup fresh mint leaves

• 1 medium jalapeño, deseeded (keep seeds for extra kick)

• 1 small garlic clove

• ¼ cup tahini

• ¼ cup olive oil (extra-virgin)

• Juice of 1 lemon + 1 tsp zest

• 1 ½ tsp maple syrup (or honey)

• ½ tsp fine sea salt

• 3–5 Tbsp ice-cold water, to desired texture

Instructions

1. Load the blender. Add everything except the water to a tall jar suited to your hand blender.

2. Blend until creamy. Start on low, then increase speed, pausing to scrape down sides.

3. Adjust texture. Drizzle in cold water a tablespoon at a time until spoonable but thick.

4. Taste & tweak. More salt sharpens, lemon brightens, maple balances heat.

5. Serve. Spoon over grilled vegetables, drizzle on grain bowls, or use as a dip with warm flatbread.

Nutrition (per serving)

	Amount	%DV*
Calories	108 kcal	—
Fat	10.8 g	14 %
Saturated Fat	1.5 g	7 %
Unsaturated Fat	9.3 g	—
Carbohydrates	3.2 g	1 %
Fiber	1.3 g	5 %
Total Sugars	1.1 g	—
Protein	1.3 g	3 %
Sodium	100 mg	4 %

*Based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

Storage

Refrigerate in an airtight jar up to 5 days; whisk if separation occurs. Not freezer-friendly.

Load the blender

Blend until creamy

Adjust texture

Taste and tweak

Serve

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Prompt

Here's how I prompted to create this amazing Creamy Jalapeño Basil Green Goddess Sauce recipe!

My garden is overflowing with basil and mint. The basil is huge, gorgeous, and not eaten at a high-enough pace. So I decided to try and make something new and unique.

I asked ChatGPT for ideas:

I have gorgeous basil (I think it's called dino basil).
I already have bread so I don't want to make more breads. Ideas for stuff I can make with basil? Think maybe original things, like, not pesto, pasta, pizza, etc. one idea can include tahini sauce. Give me like 20 versatile ideas 

ChatGPT gave me some pretty cool ideas:

Here are 20 original and versatile ideas for using your gorgeous dino basil (aka "lettuce leaf basil"—milder and less peppery than Genovese), going beyond the usual pesto/pasta/pizza tropes. I’ve included ideas across snacks, mains, sides, and sauces—including one with tahini:

Snacks & Appetizers

1. Basil-Tahini Drizzle for Roasted VeggiesBlend basil, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and a splash of cold water for a vibrant green drizzle over roasted carrots, sweet potatoes, or cauliflower.

2. Basil Rice Paper ChipsBrush rice paper with oil and chopped basil, cut into pieces, and bake until crispy—like a basil-flavored chip.

3. Basil-Tomato Jam ToastsSimmer cherry tomatoes with a little sugar and vinegar into a jam, then top toast with a layer of fresh basil and jam for a savory-sweet bite.

4. Zucchini-Basil FrittersFold chopped basil into grated zucchini and pan-fry with a little garlic. Serve with lemon yogurt or the basil-tahini drizzle above.

5. Basil PopcornInfuse melted butter or olive oil with basil, then toss with popcorn and sea salt.

Mains & Sides

6. Chickpea & Basil Stir-FryQuick stir-fry of canned chickpeas, red onion, chili flakes, and loads of torn basil. Serve with rice or scoop with flatbread.

7. Basil-Tahini Lentil BowlsCooked lentils, roasted eggplant or squash, greens, and a basil-tahini dressing on top—makes a full meal.

8. Savory Basil PancakesMake savory pancakes with flour, egg, water, chopped basil, and green onion. Great for dipping or topping.

9. Grilled Cheese with Basil OilBlend basil and olive oil into a green drizzle. Use it to brush the outside of your sandwich before grilling.

10. Basil-Stuffed MushroomsCombine chopped basil with breadcrumbs, garlic, and a little cheese (if you like). Bake in mushroom caps.

Sauces & Spreads

11. Basil-Tahini DipThicker than a drizzle: basil, tahini, garlic, lemon, salt. Great with raw veggies or as a sandwich spread.

12. Basil & Yogurt DipChopped basil with Greek yogurt, lemon zest, and a touch of honey—refreshing with pita or grilled meat.

13. Basil Salsa VerdeMix chopped basil, parsley, capers, lemon, and olive oil. Spoon over grilled chicken, tofu, or roasted potatoes.

14. Spicy Basil Peanut SauceBasil, peanut butter, lime juice, chili garlic sauce—great for noodles or as a dipping sauce.

Drinks & Oddballs

15. Basil-Infused LemonadeSteep basil in hot water briefly, strain, and mix with lemon juice and sweetener for a fragrant twist on lemonade.

16. Basil & Fruit Ice CubesFreeze chopped basil with mango or strawberry bits in ice cubes. Toss in fizzy water for a fancy drink.

17. Basil & Cucumber SorbetBlend cucumber, basil, lime juice, and a bit of sweetener. Freeze into a sorbet—shockingly refreshing.

18. Basil Simple SyrupInfuse basil into sugar syrup and use it in mocktails, cocktails, or brushed onto cake layers.

Creative Combos

19. Basil + Tahini Flatbread Dip BoardMake a basil-tahini whip and serve it with toasted flatbreads, olives, sliced cukes, and cherry tomatoes—like a Med-inspired snack board.

20. Basil-Rubbed Roasted Chicken or TofuMake a paste with chopped basil, garlic, lemon zest, and olive oil. Rub on chicken or tofu before roasting.

Would you like one of these ideas developed into a full recipe with nutrition info and schema markup?

I asked for more ideas:

More ideas. Be creative 

It gave me some cool ideas:

Here are 20 more original and creative ideas using your gorgeous dino basil—still avoiding pesto, pasta, and pizza. These lean into unusual textures, global influences, and playful flavor pairings:

Snacks, Bites & Unique Applications

1. Basil Tempura ClustersDip whole basil leaves into tempura batter and fry until crispy. Add sesame seeds or sea salt on top. Serve with a soy-lime dip.

2. Savory Basil GranolaOats, nuts, chopped basil, olive oil, chili flakes, and honey—bake into a crunchy topping for soup, salad, or roasted veggies.

3. Basil-Stuffed Rice Balls (Onigiri-style)Tuck fresh basil into rice balls with sesame oil and a little chopped pickled veg or tofu for a Japanese-Italian mashup.

4. Basil-Peanut Butter ToastSmear toast with peanut butter, then layer with torn basil leaves and a drizzle of honey or chili crisp.

5. Basil-Scented Pickled ShallotsMake quick-pickled shallots or red onions with fresh basil leaves steeped in the vinegar. Use on sandwiches or grain bowls.

Main Dish Inspirations

6. Basil Omelet RouladeMake a thin egg omelet layered with chopped basil, roasted veg, and a tahini-yogurt smear. Roll, slice, and serve warm or cold.

7. Basil Gnocchi SkewersToss cooked gnocchi with basil oil, then thread with roasted veggies or grilled tofu for fun appetizer skewers.

8. Basil-Stuffed PlantainsRoast sweet plantains, then split and fill with garlicky black beans and a basil-lemon crema.

9. Savory Basil Bread PuddingTear your existing bread into chunks, mix with egg, milk, sautéed onions, chopped basil, and bake in a dish. Breakfast or side.

10. Basil-Shallot Polenta CakeMake a savory polenta with sautéed shallots and basil, chill it, slice, and pan-fry until golden.

Dips, Sauces & Condiment Reinventions

11. Basil ChimichurriReplace parsley with basil in a chimichurri-style sauce. Add minced shallots and crushed red pepper for punch.

12. Basil + Roasted Red Pepper Tahini SauceBlend basil, roasted red pepper, garlic, lemon, and tahini into a creamy, vibrant sauce for drizzling.

13. Basil-Lemon ButterFinely chop basil and whip into softened butter with lemon zest. Spread on bread, corn, grilled meats, or rice.

14. Basil-Honey Mustard DipBlend Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, and basil. Use with roasted potatoes or as a sandwich slather.

15. Basil-Cashew CreamSoak cashews and blend with basil, garlic, and lemon juice for a silky vegan sauce or dip.

Unexpected Sweet & Savory Crossovers

16. Basil-Pineapple Upside-Down BitesMake mini upside-down cakes with basil in the caramel topping—pairs beautifully with pineapple or peach.

17. Chocolate Basil BarkMelt dark chocolate, swirl in chopped basil and sea salt, and let it set into bark. Weird, but surprisingly good.

18. Frozen Basil Yogurt BarkSpread yogurt on a tray, swirl with chopped basil and berries, freeze, and break into shards.

19. Basil-Sesame BrittleClassic sesame brittle gets a twist from finely chopped basil stirred in before setting.

20. Basil-Infused Milk or CreamGently heat basil in milk or cream, steep, strain, and use it to flavor rice pudding, ice cream base, or custards.

Want even more? I can generate fusion dish ideas, basil-inspired dips across world cuisines, or unusual desserts and beverages. Or I can turn your favorite from the list into a full recipe.

Two ideas intrigued me, so I asked for more info:

Tell me more about 6 and 15

It gave me the two recipes:

Here’s a deeper look at both ideas:

6. Basil Omelet Roulade

This is a savory rolled omelet (think of a flexible crepe or thin frittata) that features your basil in a fresh, bold way. It works great hot or cold, so it can be meal-prepped or served fresh.

Concept:

• A thin egg omelet is cooked flat, like a crêpe.

• Layered with sautéed veggies, fresh basil, and a creamy element (like a tahini-yogurt smear or ricotta).

• Then it's rolled up, chilled slightly, and sliced like a roulade or pinwheel.

How to Make (Rough sketch):

• Whisk 4–5 eggs with salt and pepper.

• Pour into a nonstick pan to make a large thin omelet—don’t overcook.

• While still warm, spread a layer of sauce (e.g., mix 2 tbsp tahini with 2 tbsp yogurt or lemon juice + garlic).

• Add a layer of sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or roasted red peppers.

• Scatter torn basil leaves generously.

• Roll it up gently, then slice into pinwheels or serve as a whole roll.

Serving ideas:

• With a side salad or roasted potatoes

• Packed in a lunchbox or sliced into mini bites for entertaining

15. Basil-Cashew Cream

This is a vegan, creamy sauce or dip that uses soaked cashews and fresh basil to make a luscious spread with endless uses. It's dairy-free but still super rich.

Concept:

• Blend soaked cashews with basil, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil

• Optional: add nutritional yeast, tahini, or chili flakes for variation

• It’s like a vegan aioli crossed with herby sour cream

Basic Recipe:

• ¾ cup raw cashews, soaked in hot water for 20–30 min (or overnight cold)

• 1 packed cup fresh basil leaves

• 1 small garlic clove

• Juice of ½ lemon

• 1–2 tbsp olive oil

• ¼ tsp salt

• ~¼ cup water (adjust for texture)

Blend until silky. Taste and tweak salt, lemon, or basil as needed.

Uses:

• As a dip for roasted sweet potatoes or crackers

• Spread on sandwiches, wraps, or grain bowls

• Tossed with roasted broccoli or green beans

• Thinned out and used as a pasta or gnocchi sauce

Would you like a full recipe card with nutrition and schema for either of these?

I decided that I didn't like them:

Nah give me another idea. Something with jalapeno maybe? And tahini?

It gave me a better recipe:

Absolutely—here’s an original, bold idea using basil, jalapeño, and tahini:

Basil-Jalapeño Tahini “Green Magic” Sauce

A punchy, creamy green sauce that’s somewhere between a dressing, dip, and marinade. It’s got herby depth from basil, gentle heat from jalapeño, and nutty creaminess from tahini—perfect for spooning on everything.

Flavor profile:Bright, herby, spicy, nutty, lemony. Think of it as a cross between green goddess and zhoug meets tahini sauce.

How to use it:

• Drizzle over roasted carrots, eggplant, or sweet potatoes

• Dollop on grain bowls or tacos

• Spread on sandwiches or wraps

• Use as a dip for warm flatbread or crispy tofu

• Toss into cold noodles or spoon into soup

Quick Sketch Recipe:

• 1 cup loosely packed basil leaves

• 1 jalapeño, seeded (or not, for more heat)

• 1 garlic clove

• ¼ cup tahini

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 2–4 tbsp cold water, to loosen

• Salt to taste

Optional: Add 1–2 tbsp yogurt for tang, or a touch of honey if you want to mellow it.

Blend everything until smooth and creamy. Adjust salt, lemon, and water to your liking.

Want me to name it something fun or make a visual post idea with it?

I wanted to elevate it so I asked:

Make it richer and more elevated and special. I also have mint if that fits. Also, I am using a hand blender and need at least 1 cup of packed ingredients for proper blending

Scroll to the top or click the link below for the final recipe!

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