This Easy Cilantro Lime Dressing is a blend of sweet, sour, and tart. You’ll love the mix of flavors, and it goes great on almost any salad.

You’ll definitely want to try this dressing on our cilantro lime salmon salad.

The BEST cilantro lime dressing

This salad dressing is perhaps the tastiest dressing I’ve ever had. It has such a unique flavor that will complement any spring salad. The cilantro is surprisingly not overpowering. It also has a nice sweetness from the honey. But it’s not too sweet due to the sourness of the vinegar and limes. After making this dressing, I actually kept tasting it straight out of the bottle… Yeah, it’s that good!

What type of salad pairs well with this dressing?

This cilantro lime dressing goes really well with most salads. You can add it to a salad with similar ingredients, like this Cilantro Lime Salmon Salad. Or in a Mexican salad, like this Taco Salad. Or just a fresh salad with complementary flavors, such as this Spinach Salad.

What ingredients are in this salad dressing?

Garlic- this flavor really goes well with the lime and cilantro
Limes- adds a citrusy flavor
Vinegar- a little tartness
Honey- the sweetness of the honey balances the sour/tart notes
Cilantro- makes this dressing taste so fresh
Grape seed Oil- binds the ingredients together
Salt & Pepper- seasons to perfection

Can I substitute the lime for lemons?

Unfortunately, no. Limes and lemons may seem similar, but their flavors are not the same. Limes are more acidic and bitter than lemons, so they not only have a different taste, but also are not equivalent when you add them to a recipe. So, for this cilantro lime dressing, make sure you have lime juice so the flavor is just right.

How to make cilantro lime dressing

Combine garlic, lime, honey, and vinegar. Add these ingredients together in a small beaker and stir.
Add the cilantro. Chop the cilantro and add it to the other ingredients. Blend well with an immersion blender, or whatever tool you prefer.
Slowly add the oil. While blending on low speed, slowly add the oil in. By adding it while quickly whisking the other ingredients, the oil is able to emulsify and bring everything together.
Season. Once all the oil is well-blended, season the cilantro lime dressing with salt and pepper to taste.

TIPS to make this dressing even better

Use good-quality oil– Oil is an important factor in flavor here, so make sure to use a high-quality, light-tasting oil, like grapeseed, avocado, or olive oil.
Don’t refrigerate the limes– Keep the limes at room temperature since the fridge strips them of their incredible flavor.
Use chopped cilantro– Chopping the cilantro before adding it into the blender makes it blend better and faster.
Don’t overmix the oil– Emulsify the oil gradually (in a thin stream) or it will mix too fast and thicken up.

How long will it keep in the fridge

This cilantro lime dressing will last for 5 days in the refrigerator. Keep it in a tightly sealed container so that the flavors stay fresh.

How to make it creamy

If you’d like a more creamy version of this dressing, then just add avocado. By blending in a ripe avocado, you add another dimension to the flavor and a creamy texture that goes great in salads.

Full Recipe Instructions

Cilantro Lime Dressing Recipe

This Easy Cilantro Lime Dressing is a blend of sweet, sour, and tart. You'll love the mix of flavors, and it goes great on almost any salad.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: condiments

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Prep Time: 5

Total Time: 5

Servings:

Calories: 291kcal

Author: Dina

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

In a small beaker, combine minced garlic, lime juice, vinegar, and honey.
Give it a quick stir, then add in the roughly chopped cilantro and blend well. (I used an immersion blender).
As you blend the dressing over low speed, slowly add in the grapeseed oil. Adding the oil in while briskly mixing will help properly emulsify the dressing. Once the oil is well blended, add in the salt and pepper.

Notes

TIPS to make this dressing even better

Use good-quality oil- Oil is an important factor in flavor here, so make sure to use a high-quality, light-tasting oil, like grapeseed, avocado, or olive oil.
Don't refrigerate the limes- Keep the limes at room temperature since the fridge strips them of their incredible flavor.
Use chopped cilantro- Chopping the cilantro before adding it into the blender makes it blend better and faster.
Don't overmix the oil- Emulsify the oil gradually (in a thin stream) or it will mix too fast and thicken up.

How to make it creamy

If you'd like a more creamy version of this dressing, then just add avocado. By blending in a ripe avocado, you add another dimension to the flavor and a creamy texture that goes great in salads.

Nutrition

Did you make this recipe? Snap a photo of it and tag me on Instagram @simplyhomecooked or use the hashtag #simplyhomecooked so I can see it and feature it!

This recipe was originally published on May 28, 2015, but we have tweaked it a bit since then.

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Dina

Hi, I’m Dina, so glad you stopped by! I believe life is too short for bad coffee and boring meals. With my easy to follow step-by-step recipes, you’ll be surprised at how quickly a wholesome and delicious meal can come together. I hope you find something you enjoy!