Cilantro lime dressing is the easiest way to give your salad a kick! This cilantro lime vinaigrette is the perfect addition to your salads and so much more. It is made with fresh cilantro, olive oil, and jalapeño, and easily blended in the food processor. Use it on simple mixed greens, wraps, burrito bowls, as a marinade for chicken, and more!
This salad dressing recipe came about thanks to my love for a local restaurant’s dressing that I couldn’t find in St. Louis. The “kick” in that cilantro lime dressing (from a popular Tex Mex spot in Kansas City) made it feel like I was indulging in something much more calorie-heavy, and it never left me wanting more.
For what seemed like ages, I searched across Mexican restaurants in St. Louis to get my salad with a kick fix! I enjoyed a lot of great salads and my family enjoyed a lot of great Mexican food, but even the most promising “jalapeño lime vinaigrette” fell flat. After all that searching, I decided it was time to create my own version!
I have been looking for a *really* good cilantro lime vinaigrette for ages now. And I was always like “Seriously, how hard can this be to make!?” Yet, somehow, they were all too dull, or just a little too much of something that I couldn’t put my finger on. But I found this, and I’m set for life! I LOVE it, and I so appreciate you sharing this with all of us. Thank you!
– kristin –
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Cilantro Lime Dressing is low in calories – just 88 per serving, yet so full of flavor.
- Why buy your dressing at the store when you can whip this zesty dressing up in just minutes?
- This vinaigrette can be used for so much more than salads! The possibilities are endless, and since it keeps for a few days you can get creative.
Ingredients
- Cilantro – fresh, cleaned, de-stemmed and chopped.
- Lime – fresh juiced is best but store bought works in a pinch, too.
- Garlic – clove, cleaned and peeled.
- Jalapeño – remove seeds
- Red wine vinegar – You can switch this out for apple cider vinegar, champagne vinegar, etc, as noted below.
- Sea salt – A few cracks is all you need!
- Spicy mustard – Perfect to give this dressing more of a tangy kick.
- Olive oil – I like Extra Virgin Olive Oil but you can use whatever you have on hand.
Variations
- Some like it hot! If you want even more kick, just add a hint of red pepper!
- To add a creamy touch, just add a little plain greek yogurt or sour cream. Now you’ve got a creamy cilantro lime dressing!
- You can also sub fresh cilantro for dried if you’re in a pinch.
- You can substitute with white wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar.
Tips from my Test Kitchen
- Don’t dress your salad until just before serving. If you add it too far ahead of time, the greens wilt and go soggy.
- While it’s refrigerated, oil and vinegar in homemade vinaigrette recipes will separate into two layers. Shake it up well!
- Remember to rinse the cilantro leaves and either air dry or blot them dry with a towel before using.
- Don’t forget to remove jalapeño seeds (unless you like fire)!
Serving Suggestions
Cilantro Lime Dressing (Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette)
Ingredients
- ½ bunch cilantro destemmed
- 2 limes juiced (or ¼ cup lime juice)
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tablespoons jalapeño Seeds removed (approximately ½ a jalapeño)
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 8 cracks of salt
- ¾ teaspoon spicy mustard
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil extra virgin
Instructions
- In a food processor or blender, combine cilantro, lime juice, jalapeño, garlic, and vinegar. Blend well.½ bunch cilantro, 2 limes, 1 clove garlic, 2 tablespoons jalapeño, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- Add salt, mustard and olive oil. Blend.8 cracks of salt, ¾ teaspoon spicy mustard, ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Toss with mixed greens.
Julie’s Tips
- Fresh Ingredients: Always use fresh cilantro and lime juice for the best flavor. Pre-packaged or bottled lime juice won’t give the same vibrant taste.
- Balance Flavors: Taste the dressing as you go. If it’s too tangy, add a bit of honey or a pinch of sugar. If it’s too thick, thin it out with a bit more olive oil or a splash of water.
- Blending: Use a blender or food processor for a smooth and creamy dressing. If you prefer a chunkier texture, you can chop the cilantro finely and whisk everything together by hand.
Variations
- If you want even more kick, just add a hint of red pepper!
- To add a creamy touch, just add a little plain greek yogurt or sour cream.
- You can also sub fresh cilantro for dried if you’re in a pinch.
- You can substitute with white wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar.
Serving Suggestions
- Salads: over green salads or grain salads.
- Tacos: Use as a topping for tacos or burrito bowls.
- Marinade: Use as a marinade for chicken, shrimp, or fish before grilling.
- Dipping Sauce: Serve as a dip for veggies, chips, or quesadillas.
To Store
While some vinaigrette dressings store well on your kitchen counter, this one is not shelf stable. This fresh cilantro lime dressing will store in the refrigerator for up to five days. Use a container with a tight seal to seal in fresh flavor!Video
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
This must be delicious 🙂
Can’t wait to try this Julie! Sounds delicious!
I made this last night for mothers day, and used it on top of a southwestern themed chopped salad. My mom LOVED it and said it was the best salad she had ever had. Clearly it was due to the great flavor of this dressing. Wonderful work 🙂
Yay Ellie! Thanks for sharing. I’m glad you all enjoyed it as much as we do!
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I was wondering what cilantro was but then I looked at the photos & the light bulb came on! I am English & we call it coriander like they do in India – where some of our cuisine (& some language) comes from.
The dressing looks really tasty, I will be making some myself.
I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! I’m actually making it again for lunch today!
That looks delicious . . . but my husband can’t STAND cilantro lol!! Maybe I could make that just for myself, and let him stick with that old fattening ranch dressing! Hope you are enjoying our beautiful Missouri weather!! Excited to see more pics of your new home! Blessings!
You shouldn’t have to suffer 🙂 Let me know how you like it! I can’t get enough!