Fresh, tangy Cilantro Lime Dressing that blends up in minutes and instantly upgrades salads, taco bowls, grilled chicken, and roasted veggies.
author’s note
The One Thing I Kept Talking About After A Trip!
Earlier this year I was in LA with my sisters, and we stopped at SweetGreen. I ordered a salad with their cilantro lime style dressing and immediately regretted not getting extra. I kept dipping bites into the dressing cup like it was the main event.
The problem is there is not a SweetGreen anywhere close to home, so the minute I got back, I got to work. I wanted that same fresh lime punch, lots of cilantro, a little garlic, and just enough jalapeño to keep it interesting, but still mild. After a few blender batches and some serious “taste testing” with tortilla chips and salad greens, this version became my go to.
Cilantro Lime Dressing Ingredients
| Ingredient | My quick swaps and tips |
|---|---|
| Cilantro | Use leaves and some stems. Stems blend up great and add lots of flavor. |
| Limes (juice and zest) | Zest first, then juice. Zest adds big citrus flavor without extra sour. |
| Jalapeño | For mild: remove ribs and seeds. For more heat: leave a few seeds or add a touch more. |
| White wine vinegar | Keep this if you can. It is gentler than plain white vinegar. |
| Olive oil | Use an olive oil you like the taste of. Add it slowly while blending. |
| Cumin | Just enough to deepen the flavor without taking over. |
How To Make Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Zest and juice limes: Get the zest first, then juice until you have the amount you need.
- Blend: Add cilantro, garlic, cumin, jalapeño, vinegar, lime, plus seasonings. Blend.
- Emulsify: With the motor going, slowly drizzle in the oil so the dressing turns creamy.
- Taste: Add more salt, lime, or a tiny bit more jalapeño, depending on how you want it.
- Chill: Pour into a jar, chill, and shake before serving.
Quick Tip
Want something other than a vinaigrette? Try my creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce. And if you’re a Cafe Rio fan, you might also like my Cafe Rio Dressing.
the cook’s recipe tip
a reliable Ways To Use Cilantro Lime Dressing:
This is where it gets fun. I use it all week.
- Meal prep “flavor booster”: It is satisfying to dressing a corn salad with it and using that all week in wraps, tacos, and bowls.
- Salads: Any basic green salad instantly gets better.
- Burrito bowls and taco bowls: Drizzle over rice, beans, corn, peppers, and any protein.
- Tacos: Especially fish tacos or shrimp tacos.
- Roasted veggies: Cauliflower, sweet potatoes, butternut squash.
Storage
- This cilantro lime dressing keeps 5 to 7 days in an airtight container, like a mason jar with a plastic lid.
- It may separate or firm up when chilled. Let it sit 15 to 20 minutes, then shake well. The color may dull a bit over time.
Recipes To Use This Salad Dressing On:
Salads
Southwest Quinoa Salad
Salads With Meat
Chipotle Chicken Salad
Tacos
Pinto Bean Tacos
Salads
Quinoa and Black Bean Salad
