Anyone remember my blueberry avocado quinoa salad from a couple of years ago? So fresh and full of flavor thanks to juicy plump blueberries, sweet summer corn, creamy avocado and an absolutely amazing cilantro lime dressing.
Today, I’m sharing the recipe for the dressing because it is FABULOUS. Toss it in a pasta salad, pour it over roasted veggies or quinoa, or even use it as a marinade for your favorite seafood and meats. Plus I’ve got an option to make it creamy, using either greek yogurt or avocado — you’re going to LOVE it, I promise!
Ingredients in cilantro lime dressing
This simple cilantro lime dressing recipe uses just 6 main ingredients, plus options to customize and make it even creamier. You’ll need:
- Cilantro: for the fresh base of this dressing.
- Olive oil: to help blend everything together and coat your salad, veggies, chicken or fish.
- Fresh lime juice: I recommend squeezing a lime to get the perfect amount of acidity.
- Honey: for a bit of natural sweetness. You can also use sugar or pure maple syrup to keep this vegan.
- Garlic: who doesn’t love a little garlic in their dressing? YUM.
- Jalapeño: I love the kick of heat from jalapeño in this dressing. Just be sure to de-seed it, or omit it if you’re sensitive to spice.
- Salt & pepper: to bring out all of the flavors.
The best cilantro lime dressing in one simple step
You’ll simply add all of the ingredients to a blender or food processor: cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, garlic, jalapeño half, and salt and pepper. Blend until smooth and then it’s ready to use!
Looking for a creamy dressing?
If you want an even more creamy cilantro lime dressing feel free to add Greek yogurt or avocado and blend it with the rest of the ingredients.
Use it on your favorite salads
I love this easy cilantro lime dressing on fresh, summery salads that are packed with veggies and fruits. Here are some of our favorite salad recipes that would be delicious with the dressing:
- Avocado Blueberry Quinoa Salad
- Fiesta Mango Black Bean Quinoa Salad
- Avocado & Tomato Chickpea Pasta Salad
- Healthy Summer Broccoli Salad
Use it as a marinade for protein
- First, make your cilantro lime dressing recipe.
- Next, add the dressing to a resealable bag or large bowl.
- Carefully place 1 pound of chicken, shrimp or fish in the bag or bowl with the dressing.
- Seal (or cover) and place the entire thing in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to let your chicken or fish soak up all of those amazing flavors.
Once you’ve marinated, check out all of the best ways to cook perfect chicken here! Tip: add your cilantro lime chicken or fish to any of the salads above.
How to store cilantro lime dressing
Keep this homemade cilantro lime dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If you choose to add yogurt or avocado, I’d recommend using up the dressing in about 3-4 days instead so that it stays fresh.
More salad dressings you’ll love
- Sunshine Dressing
- Vegan Caesar Dressing
- Sesame Ginger Dressing
- Healthy Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
- Healthy Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing
Get all of our delicious dressing recipes here!
I hope you love this creamy cilantro lime dressing recipe. If you make it, please leave a comment below and rate the recipe — I really appreciate it! xo.
Cilantro Lime Dressing
Creamy cilantro lime dressing made with fresh ingredients, a touch of honey or maple syrup for natural sweetness and a kick of spice from jalapeño. This easy vegan cilantro lime dressing recipe makes the perfect salad dressing recipe or marinade for chicken and fish!
Ingredients
- 1 bunch cilantro (about ¾ cup fresh chopped cilantro)
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon sugar, honey or pure maple syrup
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 jalapeno, seeded
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
-
Add all of the ingredients to a blender or food processor: cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, garlic, jalapeño half, and salt and pepper. Blend until smooth. Use as a marinade or as a dressing, etc!
Recipe Notes
Optional to add ¼ cup greek yogurt or ½ avocado for a creamy version. Feel free to add 1-3 tablespoons water to thin out dressing to your liking if you use this option.
To store: keep this homemade cilantro lime dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If you choose to add yogurt or avocado, I'd recommend using up the dressing in about 3-4 days instead so that it stays fresh.
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
This post was originally published on June 24, 2020, and republished on July 7, 2021.
34 comments
I just made this as a dressing for Buddha bowls for my family with a whole avocado blended in. It was a huge hit. Would 100% make this again.
Love that! So delicious!
Great dressing!!! Used a whole jalapeño and added a little more olive oil and lime juice to balance the heat! My guest loved it!!! Can’t wait to make it again! Thank you Monique!
Perfect! So glad everyone loved it!
This was so good! Put it on a salad of black bean pasta, spinach, red pepper, corn onion and tomatoes with avocado on top! A keeper in our kitchen! Thank you!
That sounds amazing! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
This was delicious- I used a little less olive oil and substituted water to make it lower fat and it was still sooo good!!!
Made this to put over quinoa and it was delicious! Added some extra cilantro and served it as a side dish.
Amazing! Love that idea 🙂
I have yet to make a recipe from AK that I didn’t LOVE and this dressing is no different. Holy cow it’s so good it is nearly drinkable. Keep the goodness coming!
Aww yay, so happy you’re loving everything, Logan! Thank you!
Delicious as usual! I think the recipe is pretty forgiving too because I didn’t measure exactly. Served with roasted broccoli, cauliflower and Brussel sprouts, Yum!
So glad you enjoyed it, Courtney! 🙂
sorry just saw this now will be making this soon i never had cilantro lim dressing before perfect for your salads and my snacks will dm you if i make this and let you know how it goes Thanks Ramya
it suppose to say lime not lim on my comment sorry
I’m excited for you to try it!
Really good and my husband liked, he doesn’t like cilantro
Oh wow, I’m so happy to hear that! Yay!
To me, this recipe ended up lacking something, which turned out to be allium. I added a chopped-up shallot to the recipe and it came out perfect. I also added another clove of garlic, but that’s just me – I’m a garlic fiend.
I also would recommend only maybe 1/4 of a jalapeno, unless you’re a big fan of heat.
Great idea to add the shallot, that sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Loved this. Would eat it on anything
Omg seriously same!
This dressing has been my go to this summer. It’s so fresh and simply delicious. I have played with the amount of jalapeño since my husband doesn’t like too much spice and also use a whole lime since we love to up the tanginess factor. I make 2 batches at a time to make sure I have enough whenever wherever I need it. So good!!
AMAZING!!!! Love it!!
Woohooo happy to hear that!
Oh my! Sooo good!!! Every recipe that I have made is sooo good! Thank you!
Yay!! I’m so happy to hear that — thank you!
I made this fabulous dressing and used it on a salad with grilled vegetables and shrimp, it was so tasty! Also tried it with a salad with strawberries but it was such a great combination. It will be a staple in my fridge for sure!
Delicious! I’m not a fan of cilantro, so I swapped in basil. I made this for a family grill out with the Summer Glow Strawberry Kale Salad, and everyone raved about it.
A basil dressing sounds amazing for that salad! Thanks for the idea!
I’m so excited to try these dressings. It is very necessary to get on a healthy style of eating. Thanks for the encouraging words.
One of my new favorite dressings! So delicious!
YAY I’m so glad you love it, Maggie!
I was trying to duplicate the dressing served at a local Mexican restaurant. I made this using honey, omitting the jalapeno pepper and adding the greek yogurt, and it’s exactly what I was after – authentic and delicious. Thank you!
Just made a second batch- so good!