Cilantro Lime Dressing Recipe

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Take a trip to culinary excellence with this zesty and refreshing Cilantro Lime Dressing, a flavor-packed addition that will give your salads and grilled dishes a fresh upgrade!

You know that feeling when you find the absolute perfect dressing that takes your basic salad from “meh” to “yeah!” Well, I’ve got just the thing. This Cilantro Lime Dressing is going to become your newest go-to for all your salad needs.

I first got a taste of this creamy, dreamy dressing during a summer barbecue party. It totally took over the BBQ, drizzled over fresh summer lettuce and grilled veggies and adding a unique velvety texture and lively flavor. After my first bite, I just knew I needed the recipe to put in my own kitchen secrets arsenal.

If you’re into Mexican food, you’re going to get that same fresh taste we all love in homemade guacamole or a well-made margarita. You can use it to marinate your chicken, or top your salad or veggies with it, this baby can do it all. It’s a combo of Greek yogurt, olive oil, a touch of honey, and a whole lot of fresh cilantro and lime juice. Basically, it’s like bottling up summer and drizzling it on your salad. Cannot. Get. Enough!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This dressing is super creamy and delicious.
It’s extremely versatile and goes great with salads, proteins, veggies, or used as a dip or sauce.
It’s quick and easy to make and you’re in charge of what goes into it. All you need are a few basic ingredients and your trusty blender or food processor to whip this up.
This green goddess is way healthier than those store-bought dressings. You’ve got a nice amount of protein from the Greek yogurt, healthy fats in the olive oil, and cilantro is heart-healthy and chock-full of vitamins and minerals.

Ingredients

All these ingredients are easy to find in your local grocery store — and you’re likely to have most of them lying in your fridge as well!

2 cups fresh cilantro
½ cup Greek yogurt
½ cup olive oil
1 tsp honey
1 garlic clove
1 jalapeno
3 tbsp lime juice
salt and pepper

How to Make Cilantro Lime Dressing – The Steps

Step 1: Pop all of the ingredients into a blender or a food processor.

Step 2: Blend until smooth and has attained a beautiful green color.

Step 3: Taste the dressing to make sure it has enough salt, pepper, and lime juice

Step 4: Adjust if necessary.

Top Tips For a Perfect Cilantro Lime Dressing

Add a little extra oil or milk if you want to thin the dressing a little.
This dressing’s beauty is in its freshness. Using fresh cilantro and limes will create the best aromatic blend.
If you match my heat tolerance — which is virtually non-existent — deseed the jalapeno. However, if you like more spice, keep some seeds in.
Feel free to add more honey if you prefer a sweeter dressing, or another clove of garlic if you’re a fan of a more savory taste.
The trick is to blend until smooth but don’t overdo it. Too much blending can cause the dressing to heat up, which can affect both consistency and flavor.
For the best flavor, let your dressing chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of oil instead of olive oil?

Absolutely! Avocado oil or grapeseed oil work well.

Can I use dried garlic instead of fresh garlic?

Fresh garlic has a stronger taste, but if you don’t have fresh garlic you can use garlic powder instead.

What can I use this dressing on?

You can use it on chicken, fish or grilled vegetables. You can also use it as a zesty marinade.

Can I use regular yogurt instead of Greek yogurt?

Totally! Greek yogurt makes it thicker and contains more protein, but if all you’ve got is regular yogurt, no stress!

I don’t like cilantro, can I use a different herb?

Cilantro is one of those herbs that you either love or hate. Swap in fresh basil or parsley instead if you’re not a fan.

Are there any variations to this recipe?

You can add avocado for a creamier dressing or a dash of hot sauce if you’re feeling spicy.

Serving Suggestions

You can upgrade your basic salad with a generous drizzle of this Cilantro Lime Dressing for a refreshing lunch. Alternatively, use it as a vibrant marinade for your grilled chicken or fish. Even your roasted veggies or corn on the cob will sing with a splash of this extraordinary dressing.

How to Store Cilantro Lime Dressing

This dressing is perfect for longer-term storage. Pop your leftovers in an airtight container and stick it in the fridge for up to a week. Don’t worry about reheating, as this is best served cold — it’s as easy as stir, pour and enjoy straight from the fridge!