Homemade Cilantro Lime Dressing

Homemade cilantro lime dressing is a tangy dressing that is perfect for your favorite salads and more! You are going to love how easy it is to make this delicious homemade salad dressing with just a few simple ingredients.

cilantro lime dressing in a jar

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Homemade dressings are the best and so easy to make too! If you like this dressing, try our homemade honey balsamic dressing.

Why you will love this recipe

  • It’s a simple recipe made with a handful of ingredients!
  • Homemade cilantro lime dressing is versatile, use it on salads or to marinate meat.

Here is what you will need

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Ingredients

Equipment

How to make cilantro lime dressing

Prepare the ingredients: Mince or crush the garlic, chop the cilantro

cilantro lime process adding syrup

Step 1. Add the liquid ingredients

Pour the oil and fresh lime juice to a small bowl or mason jar, and add the honey.

Step 2. Add cilantro

Add the cilantro and crushed garlic to the jar.

cilantro lime dressing with cilantro added

Cilantro lime dressing mixed in a jar with lime and cilantro on the side

Step 3. Shake it up

If you are using a mason jar, cover the jar and shake the dressing to mix it together, or use a whisk and a small bowl.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

The full list of fresh ingredients to make cilantro lime dressing is above. Below are notes about some of the ingredients along with ideas for substitutes.

Extra-virgin olive oil is what I like to use in salad dressings, it’s light in flavor, but it can be swapped with regular olive oil or avocado oil.

Honey can be swapped one for one with maple syrup, agave nectar, or brown rice syrup.

Fresh Garlic adds a fresh garlic flavor to this homemade dressing. If it’s not available, you can substitute 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder

overhead view of cilantro lime dressing with a bowl of salad

Variations

One of the many great things about making your own salad dressing is that you can adjust the ingredients to change the flavor and texture. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Spicy – Stir in half of a diced jalapeno pepper to the vinaigrette.
  • Creamy – Stir in a few tablespoons of regular Greek yogurt, regular yogurt, sour cream or smashed creamy avocado to make the dressing creamy.
  • Cilantro lime ranch – make the creamy version above and add a 1/2 teaspoon or more to taste of ranch seasoning.
  • Cilantro lemon dressing – swap out the lime juice with an equal amount of lemon juice.

Serving suggestions

There are so many different ways to use this tangy cilantro lime dressing. Pour it over your favorite salad or try it on a Mexican chopped salad, street corn salad, quinoa salad, burger bowl, or sheet pan nacho salad.

Cilantro lime dressing tastes great as a quick marinade for chicken breast or thighs, pork, shrimp, or beef.

Try stirring it into cooked brown rice for cilantro lime rice, a pasta salad, or tossing it into potatoes before roasting or air frying them.

Cilantro also lime dressing tastes great drizzled on grilled meat.

Cilantro lime dressing in a jar with a bowl of salad greens

How to store cilantro lime vinaigrette

This delicious dressing makes a small portion of dressing for one or two salads and will last in the refrigerator for up to a week in an airtight container.

Recipe tips

  • For a smoother salad dressing, place the ingredients into a small blender or food processor to puree and blend all of the ingredients together.
  • Remove the dressing from the refrigerator about 10 to 15 minutes before using it to allow the olive oil to warm up and liquefy.

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cilantro lime dressing in a jar

Homemade cilantro lime dressing recipe

Homemade cilantro lime dressing is a delicious homemade salad dressing that is made with a handful of simple ingredients.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Click on serving size to scale this recipe

Course: Salads and Salad Dressing Recipes
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 67kcal
Author: Anne Lawton

Find process photos and variations in the blog post:

Homemade cilantro lime dressing recipe
Scale this Recipe 8 people

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon honey or more to taste

Instructions

  • Prepare the ingredients: crush or chop the garlic, chop the cilantro and squeeze the lime juice.
  • Place the oil and lime juice into a small bowl or mason jar, add the garlic and honey and shake or whisk the dressing.
  • Add the cilantro and mix again.

Notes

Store cilantro lime dressing in the refrigerator for up to a week

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 67kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 0.4mg | Potassium: 9mg | Fiber: 0.03g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used

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