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Cilantro Lime Dressing – a fresh and tangy dressing that is perfect for any salad, burrito bowl, tacos, or even as a dip.
Mexican and Tex-Mex food has to be one of my favorite cuisines of all time. And one of the flavors I think of when I think Mexican is cilantro and lime. It is just a classic bright and fresh combo that makes for the best dressing!
I first made this cilantro lime vinaigrette in 2011 when I first started blogging. It is still a must make today and deserved better pictures and a little more information in the recipe!
What’s In Cilantro Lime Dressing
Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.
- Vegetable Oil – you can sub olive oil, avocado oil, or any other oil you like. This is just what the original recipe from the early 2000s called for.
- Lime Juice
- Cilantro
- White Wine Vinegar
- Garlic
- Sugar – any sweetener you like works! Honey, agave, monk fruit etc. Sugar in a dressing helps cut the acid and create a more balanced flavor, so it is why it is in there.
- Salt
Recipe Variations
- Often times you will see a creamy version of this that is equally as delicious. Mix in 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt and you will have a creamy and delicious dressing.
- Like it spicy? Add a little jalapeno in the first step.
- Honey or Agave would be a great substitute if you wanted to avoid refined sugar.
This cilantro lime dressing is so easy to throw together in just minute with the help of a blender. And not only does it make a great salad dressing, it is a GREAT marinade for meats.
Cilantro Lime Chicken is basically chicken marinated in this dressing and then grilled. Gives so much great flavor without a lot of work.
How To Make Cilantro Lime Dressing
- In a blender or food processor, combine lime juice, vinegar, garlic, salt, and sugar. Blend until well combined.
- Then with the food processor running, add in a slow stream of oil. You want it to get nice and well blended together.
- Next pulse in the cilantro. You want the cilantro to be well blended, but still be able to see plenty of flecks, so don’t puree it for a long time.
Why Is It White
I get this question every single time I share this recipe on Facebook. It is white because I used a high powdered blender to emulsify the oil. It is a very similar process to when you make homemade mayo. That is just how the oil reacts when you slowly stream it in under high power. It is still a vinaigrette consistency. If you want it creamy, see the recipe variations section.
What Other Oil Can I Use
This is an old recipe, so it calls for vegetable oil. You really can use any oil you like when making it. I like to use avocado oil, because it has a neutral flavor like vegetable oil does. So the cilantro and lime really shine through. But olive oil is great too.
Storing Cilantro Lime Dressing
You want to make sure it is in an air tight container. I like to use a mason jar with a screw on lid, so not only is it air tight it is always easy to pour and serve from.
How Long Will Cilantro Lime Dressing Last
You want to store this covered in the fridge for about a week. Let it warm up and shake well before you serve it.
More Great Salad Recipes
- Homemade Croutons
- BLT Salad
- Greek Dressing
- Lemon Vinaigrette
- Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Spinach Chicken Salad
- Chicken Fajita Salad
Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup vegetable oil, you can use olive oil or avocado oil
- 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 teaspoon sugar, any sweetener works
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, combine lime juice, vinegar, garlic, salt, and sugar. Blend until well combined.
- With the food processor running, add in a slow stream of oil.
- Pulse in the cilantro. You want the cilantro to be well blended, but still be able to see plenty of flecks.
- Store in the fridge. Shake or stir well before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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AAAAAAAAAAAh, this is so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂
This stuff is so addicting! We love it on salads, burgers, and for dipping veggies.
This dressing is a bomb! My whole family loved it. Will definitely try this again soon!
I definitely agree that this is a must have dressing! My hubby and I love adding this to our salads. Such a delicious and perfect dressing! I love having this on hand!
This would be so good in a burrito bowl!
We love using this for burrito bowls! And it’s so simple.
Has anyone tried this with extra virgen Olive oil? Trying to make as healthy as possible. Thanks!
It works out great, just a little richer flavor.
My husband isn’t a fan of cilantro and begs for this dressing constantly! It’s sooooo good!!
The picture of the dressing you have looks white. What did you add to the dressing? I’d assume mayo or sour cream or yogurt, but those ingredients are not in the recipe.
It is white because that is how emulsification works in a high powered blender. Very similar to when you make a mayo, it doesn’t contain any dairy, but emulsifying it makes it white. You can add 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt or sour cream if you want it creamy, those directions are in the post. But making the recipe as stated in a high powered blender, when you stream in the oil slowly, it will be white, but have a vinaigrette consistency
Thanks, that’s what I was thinking, but wasn’t too sure, and wanted to make it correctly!
Thanks for your response!
Can this be frozen?
No, I don’t think it would freeze well.