Cilantro Lime Dressing: Recipe, Variations, and Prep Tips

Cilantro lime dressing is a bright, herbaceous style of salad dressing centered around fresh cilantro, lime juice, and olive oil. Home cooks use various spices and additional ingredients to complement these core flavors. Thanks to the inclusion of fresh herbs, many recipes for this dressing resemble a Mexican salsa verde cruda, Argentinian chimichurri, or Indian-style green chutney recipe.

Use zesty cilantro lime dressing as you might any classic green condiment: to dress up dishes like tacos (or taco salad) and burrito bowls; as a dipping sauce or drizzle over quesadillas, roasted meat, and vegetables; or as a base for fresh salsas like homemade pico de gallo. You can also use cilantro lime dressing as a marinade, especially for delicate proteins like seafood.

Here are four easy ways to build on a basic cilantro lime dressing:

1. 1. Avocado cilantro lime dressing: Add a ripe avocado to the mix for a dairy-free creamy dressing with the same consistency as ranch dressing. Learn how to get the most from these nutrient-dense foods with this citrusy avocado dressing.
2. 2. Cilantro lime vinaigrette: For a light and tangy vinaigrette-style dressing, add roughly chopped cilantro to a basic lime vinaigrette seasoned with mustard and honey.
3. 3. Creamy cilantro lime dressing: For a rich, silky consistency, add a few tablespoons of sour cream, plain Greek yogurt, or buttermilk to your cilantro lime dressing and blend well to incorporate.
4. 4. Spicy cilantro lime dressing: Add a chopped fresh green chili, like jalapeño or serrano pepper, to add heat to your dressing.

A homemade salad dressing is one of the easiest ways to elevate your meal. Here are a few ways to make a delicious dressing:

1. 1. Save the stems. Cilantro stems offer a concentrated source of the herb’s flavor. To minimize food waste, finely chop the stems and add to the dressing, save for a garnish, or freeze for future seasoning needs.
2. 2. Add a sweetener. Many salad dressings balance heat and acidity with a small amount of sweetness, usually in the form of liquid sweeteners like honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup, which dissolve quickly into liquids like olive oil and citrus juice.
3. 3. Use a food processor. For a thick final dressing, consider using a food processor to blend the cilantro, lime juice, and any additional aromatics into a loose paste, then add olive oil and blend until emulsified. (Alternatively, finely mince all ingredients and whisk together in a medium bowl or glass measuring cup.)
   
4. 4. Store in an airtight container. Cilantro lime dressing will keep for one week in the refrigerator. Let the dressing come to room temperature and whisk briefly before using.