Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
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Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
Get ready to add a zesty kick to your salads and more with our Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing recipe! Bursting with fresh flavors of cilantro + lime, this creamy dressing is the perfect way to brighten up any dish. Whether you're drizzling it over a salad, using it as a dip, or as a marinade, this versatile dressing is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. Completely Dairy-free + Vegan Option.
Whipping up your own salad dressing might seem daunting, but trust me, it's a breeze! This Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing comes together in just a few minutes and beats anything you'll find at the store. It's perfect for salads, grain bowls, chicken, steak, lamb, salmon, roasted veggies and tacos—you name it! Tangy, herbaceous, and downright delicious, this dressing elevates any dish it touches!
This Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing is seriously a game-changer—it's so quick to whip up, just 5 minutes and a quick blend, and you're good to go! I always make a batch ahead of time and stash it in the fridge because it's just that good. if you're a fan of herby dressings and sauces like I am, you've gotta try my Homemade Green Goddess Dressing, Creamy Avocado Pesto Mayo Sauce, Jalapeno Ranch Sauce, and Homemade Pesto Sauce. Trust me, they'll take your meals to the next level!
It's totally dairy-free + egg-free, so everyone can dig in. I'm not kidding when I say I could slather it on everything! Homemade dressings always taste a million times better than store-bought. It's such an easy thing to make + can be done in batches for meal prep or various dishes throughout the week.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Creamy texture without dairy products.
- It's a totally healthy dressing that you could (literally) eat by the spoonful.
- Ready when you are---- Keep it handy for a flavor boost whenever hunger calls.
- Simple, easy-to-find ingredients.
- Elevates every bite to the next level.
- Homemade goodness--- better than store-bought options
- Versatile - use it on salads, sandwiches, burgers, tacos, and beyond!
How To Make Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
With just a handful of simple ingredients and a quick blend in a good high-powered blender, you can create a rich + luscious dressing/sauce that's perfect for salads, tacos, and much more! Trust me, once you try it, you'll wonder how you ever survived without it.
Ingredients
DRESSING:
- Cilantro leaves. Adds a burst of fresh flavor + vibrant color to the sauce.
- Vegan mayonnaise. I love using Follow Your Heart Veganaise. It is super creamy and smooth but feel free to add your fave if you prefer.
- Extra virgin olive oil. Feel free to use your favorite high-quality EVOO. My fave tried and trusted brand is California Olive Ranch.
- Lime. Freshly-squeezed.
- Organic raw honey. You can use maple syrup or Agave instead.
- Jalapeño. Our spicy delicious powerhouse!
- Garlic clove. Adds a nice pop of flavor.
- Almond milk. Helps to make the sauce creamier. You can use your fave plant-based milk. Learn how to make homemade almond milk!
- Sea salt + black pepper. To taste.
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS SAUCE!
Here, I’ve curated a list of baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite dishes, especially with this Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing. Everything from whisks, blenders, knives, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
What To Serve With Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
Having this dressing in the fridge is a total game-changer! It brings a burst of bright, zesty flavor to everything from basic green salads to tacos, nachos, sandwiches, and beyond.
Here are some of my fave ways to enjoy it:
- Veggie, chicken or shrimp tacos!
- Veggie-packed grain bowls like this Healthy Pesto Buddha Bowl
- As a salad dressing! It would go great with Best Lemon Pepper Chicken Chopped Salad or a Kale Salad
- Pan seared steak is amazing with a zesty sauce, so drizzle it over your next ribeye!
- Avocado toast or guacamole
- Drizzled atop of grilled corn on the cob
- Veggie or chicken quesadillas
- For dipping with Crispy Jumbo Garlic Herb Fries
- For cooling down spicy dishes like BBQ Jerk Pulled Pork Sandwiches or Spicy Butter Chickpeas
Can You Eat Cilantro Stems?
While cilantro leaves are often the go-to, don't forget about the stems—they're completely edible! However, thicker, tougher stems may not offer as much flavor as the delicate, thinner ones. So, it's wise to trim away any old or thick stems before they'll be blended anyway.
Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing Q + A's
Add the dressing to your favorite mason jar or tightly sealed container and refrigerate for 7-10 days for optimal freshness.
Yes, this recipe is gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free mayo.
Yup! In fact, this sauce can benefit from some time in the fridge to allow the flavors to meld together. You can make it a few days ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you're ready to use it. Just give it a good stir before serving.
Absolutely! If you're not following a vegan or dairy-free diet, you can use regular mayonnaise in your homemade poppy seed dressing recipe. Traditional mayonnaise works perfectly well and will give you that classic creamy texture and flavor.
Yes! To make this more of a dressing for salads, etc. you can add more milk to make it more like a drizzle. I would add about ½ cup milk as a substitute for the original amount.
Absolutely! This recipe makes enough for 2 servings, however, for more or a larger batch simply double or triple the ingredients.
Yes just use maple syrup or agave instead of honey as the sweetener.
More Homemade Sauces + Dressings
Check out these mouthwatering sauce/dressing recipes that your whole family will love, especially after trying the delicious Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing recipe!
- Creamy Avocado Pesto Mayo Sauce
- The Best Homemade BBQ Sauce
- Roasted Garlic Olive Oil Dip
- Jalapeno Ranch Sauce
- Spicy Restaurant Style Salsa
- Vegan Ranch Dressing
- Creamy Chipotle Dressing
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried this Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!
Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
Ingredients
DRESSING:
- 1 bunch organic cilantro leaves
- ¼ cup vegan mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 limes, freshly-squeezed
- 1 tablespoon organic raw honey (You can use maple syrup or Agave instead)
- 1 jalapeño, sliced
- 1 garlic clove
- 1-2 Tbsps Almond milk (You can use your fave plant-based milk)
- sea salt + black pepper, to taste
Instructions
TO MAKE THE DRESSING:
- Add the vegan mayo, cilantro, sliced jalapeño, olive oil, lime juice, milk, salt, black pepper and garlic clove into a high-powdered blender and blend until sauce becomes creamy.
- Add dressing to your favorite mason jar or tightly sealed container and refrigerate for 3-4 days for optimal freshness.
- Bon Appetit!
Nutrition
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