Cilantro Lime Dressing adds a zesty fresh Mexican flair to your salads and more!

This fabulous recipe combines the flavors of cilantro, cumin, lime juice, garlic, and olive oil into a dressing that’s bursting with pizzazz. A touch of honey adds just the right amount of sweetness.

cilantro lime dressing in a jar with fresh cilantro beside it

An Easy Dressing (or Marinade)

Cilantro and lime go together like… well, cilantro and lime. They’re perfect together in everything from cilantro lime chicken to cilantro lime rice! Spoon it over salads instead of vinaigrette, drizzle it over chicken kabobs, or add to guacamole for a fun twist.

Ingredients in this dressing are simple and if you’ve got cilantro, you most likely have everything else on hand!  Cilantro, lime, honey, garlic, and olive oil. I add a little dash of cumin (or chili powder).

ingredients for cilantro lime dressing

How to Make Cilantro Lime Dressing

This salad dressing can be made in a few different ways. Chop the cilantro and whisk the ingredients slowly adding in the oil if you don’t have a blender.

You can blend all of the ingredients at once for an oil and vinegar type dressing or slowly drizzle in the oil with the blender running to create a bit of a creamier dressing.

cilantro in a food processor on a grey counter

  1. Place all ingredients in a blender, except for oil. Turn on and slowly add oil.
  2. Pulse and blend until creamy smooth and thickened.
  3. Option: Add 1/2 a ripe avocado for a creamier dressing.

If you want to keep some flecks of green, don’t blend too long.

a blended cilantro lime dressing in a food processor on a grey counter

Delicious Variations

Cilantro lime dressing will accommodate a host of variations. This recipe also makes a great marinade for grilled chicken!

  • Want a little heat? Add some jalapenos or red pepper flakes to the blender.
  • Lemon juice could substitute for the lime in a pinch.
  • If you don’t have any honey on hand, agave or sugar will fit the bill.
  • Toss in two or three small chunks of avocado if you want to tame the tanginess and add some instant thickening and creamy richness.
  • A tablespoon or two of Greek yogurt would give it some extra creaminess.

There are so many delicious ways to change up this easy dressing recipe!

How Long Will Cilantro Lime Dressing Last?

Cilantro lime dressing should last about 2-3 days in the refrigerator. The acidity of the lime juice helps preserve it, but the flavor will dissipate over time.

How to Store Cilantro Lime Dressing

Cilantro lime dressing stores best in a tightly covered glass jar. Or you can use a plastic bottle. If it separates, just shake or pop back in the blender to recombine and restore.

With this dressing on hand, you’ll have the perfect and versatile condiment for salads, veggies, or meat entrees.

Easy Dressing Recipes

How did you serve this Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!

cilantro lime dressing in a jar with fresh cilantro beside it
4.97 from 27 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Cilantro Lime Dressing

This easy recipe combines the flavors of cilantro, cumin, lime juice, garlic, and olive oil into a dressing that’s bursting with fresh flavors!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Author Holly Nilsson

Equipment

Mason Jar with tight-fitting lid

Ingredients  

  • ½ cup cilantro leaves and stems, packed
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • 1 ½ teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup light olive oil or canola oil

Instructions 

  • Add all ingredients except olive oil to a blender or small food processor. Pulse a few times to chop up the cilantro.
  • Turn blender onto low and slowly add in oil.
  • Once blended, season with salt & pepper to taste.
  • Refrigerate in a jar with a tight-fitting lid for up to 1 week.

Notes

For a creamy dressing, add in 1/2 of an avocado, peeled and pitted.
Cilantro lime dressing should last up to 7 days in the fridge. 
4.97 from 27 votes

Nutrition Information

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 124 | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 10mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 135IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Dip, Dressing, Sauce
Cuisine American

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Top image - cilantro lime vinaigrette. Bottom image - ingredients in a food processor with writing.
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Cilantro lime vinaigrette in a jar with text

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About the author

Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook!
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Comments

  1. Looks really good. I do not always have an avocado in the fridge. I think I could use mayo or sour cream or even yogurt as an alternative. What do you think?5 stars

    1. While I havne’t tried it, to make this dressing creamy without avocado, I would suggest equal parts mayonnaise and sour cream or just a bit of mayonnaise. Let us know how it goes!

  2. This dressing was great. Added a little more honey and lime juice and 1/2 the avocado. We ate with a salad with shrimp and lots of fixings. Next time I would make a double batch.5 stars

  3. This is the 2nd time I’ve made it. Had to sub in lemons and white wine vinegar because that’s what I had. It is still delicious but it definitely tastes even more so with lime. I did increase the vinegar because I prefer a more tart flavor. Looked at other recipes because I didn’t bookmark this one. When I finally saw this again I knew it was the one I made the first time around. Haven’t even tried to make a different one. This is easy and awesome.5 stars

  4. Really simple and good. I bumped up the lime juice and vinegar 2x each. I prefer something a little more citrusy.4 stars

  5. Tasty. Every flavor comes through. I tried to get every drop out of the blender. This will be a staple in my house. Thanks.5 stars