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.
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).
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.
- Place all ingredients in a blender, except for oil. Turn on and slowly add oil.
- Pulse and blend until creamy smooth and thickened.
- 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.
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. If stored longer than 2-3 days, there is a risk that the garlic, which has extremely low acidity, may produce botulism, a serious toxin, and this is not a risk worth taking.
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
- Quick Lemon Vinaigrette
- Sesame Ginger Dressing
- Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Honey Mustard Dressing
- Lime Vinaigrette
- Avocado Ranch Dressing
How did you serve this Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Cilantro Lime Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ cup cilantro leaves and stems, packed
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ cup light olive oil or canola oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- salt & pepper to taste
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 up to 1 week.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dressing
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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.
So happy you are enjoying it, Tracy!
I have made this recipe several times. Really great dressing! Very tasty!
Glad you enjoyed it, Yvonne!
Really simple and good. I bumped up the lime juice and vinegar 2x each. I prefer something a little more citrusy.
Tasty. Every flavor comes through. I tried to get every drop out of the blender. This will be a staple in my house. Thanks.
So glad you’ve loved this as much as we do!