Reasons you’ll LOVE Cilantro Lime Dressing

People love cilantro lime dressing for several reasons, including its bold and refreshing taste, versatility, and health benefits.

• • Tangy, herb-y flavor with a hint of sweetness – The lime juice provides a citrusy zing, while the cilantro adds an herb-y and slightly floral note. The garlic and salt give the dressing a savory umami taste, while the honey balances out the flavors with a touch of sweetness. This unique combination of flavors creates a bold and refreshing taste that people enjoy.
  • Versatile condiment – Can be used to enhance the flavor of many different dishes. It pairs well with various ingredients, including salads, tacos, grilled meats, and roasted vegetables. Its tangy and herbaceous flavor can bring out the best in a dish and make it more flavorful and enjoyable.
  • Healthy choice – It’s made with fresh ingredients and no preservatives or artificial flavors. The olive oil in the dressing is a healthy fat that can help reduce inflammation and improve heart health. The dressing is also low in calories, making it a great option for people watching their weight.
  • Easy to make at home –  With just a few simple ingredients and a blender or this small food processor I faithfully use for dressings and dips and is SO easy to clean up), you can whip up a batch of this delicious dressing in no time. It’s also customizable, so you can adjust the seasoning to your liking and make it as sweet or as spicy as you prefer.

Cilantro Lime Dressing Ingredients

Each ingredient plays an important role in the overall flavor and texture of the dressing.

• • Fresh cilantro – Cilantro is the star of this dressing and provides its distinctive herb-y flavor. It’s important to use fresh cilantro for the best flavor and texture. The leaves are finely chopped and mixed into the dressing, giving it a bright green color and a speckled appearance.
  • Lime juice – Lime juice provides a tangy and acidic flavor that balances out the richness of the other ingredients. It’s important to use fresh lime juice for the best flavor, as bottled lime juice can have a bitter aftertaste. The lime juice also helps to thin out the dressing and make it more pourable.
  • Garlic – Garlic adds a pungent and savory flavor to the dressing. It’s finely minced and mixed into the dressing, giving it a subtle garlicky taste. If you don’t like raw garlic, you can use roasted garlic instead for a milder flavor.
  • Honey – Honey adds a touch of sweetness to the dressing and helps to balance out the flavors. It also helps to emulsify the dressing and give it a smooth and creamy texture. You can adjust the amount of honey to your liking, depending on how sweet you prefer your dressing.
  • Olive oil – Olive oil is the base of the dressing and provides a rich and flavorful backdrop for the other ingredients. It also helps to bind the dressing together and give it a smooth and creamy texture. Extra virgin olive oil is a good choice for this recipe, as it has a mild and fruity flavor that won’t overpower the other ingredients.
  • Salt – Salt is a key ingredient in any dressing, as it helps to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients. It also helps to balance out the sweetness of the honey and the tanginess of the lime juice. You can adjust the amount of salt to your liking, depending on how salty you prefer your dressing.

How to Make Cilantro Lime Dressings

I use a small food processor, which is easier to clean up!

• • Rinse the cilantro leaves – Start by rinsing the cilantro leaves under cold water and drying them with a paper towel. Remove the leaves from the stems and discard the stems. You should have about 1 cup of cilantro leaves.
  • Mince the garlic – Peel and mince 2 cloves of garlic. You can use a garlic press if you have one or finely chop the garlic with a knife.
  • Juice the lime – Cut it in half and juice it using a citrus juicer or by hand. You should get about two tablespoons of lime juice.
  • Mix the ingredients: In a small food process, pulse together the lime juice, minced garlic, honey, salt, and black pepper. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil to create an emulsion. Add the cilantro leaves and pulse until well combined.
  • Adjust the seasoning – Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or lime juice to taste.
  • Store the dressing –  Transfer the cilantro lime to a jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. You can store the dressing in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Tips for Making Cilantro Lime Dressing

This dressing is so easy to make, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it sooner!

• Use fresh cilantro –  It’s important to use fresh cilantro for this recipe. Dried cilantro won’t give you the same fresh and vibrant flavor.
• Adjust the sweetness – If you prefer a sweeter dressing, add more honey. If you don’t like your dressing too sweet, you can omit the honey altogether.
• Use high-quality olive oil – Since this dressing is primarily made with olive oil, it’s important to use a good quality oil. Extra-virgin olive oil is a good choice, as it has a rich and fruity flavor.
• Use a blender or food processor – If you want a smoother dressing, you can use a blender. Simply add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
• Make it spicy – If you like a little heat, you can add some chopped jalapeño or red pepper flakes to the dressing.
• Use it as a marinade – This dressing also makes a great marinade for chicken, fish, or tofu. Simply coat your protein with the dressing and let it marinate for a few hours before cooking.
• Pair it with the right foods – Cilantro lime dressing goes well with a variety of foods, including salads, tacos, grilled meats, and roasted vegetables. It’s also great as a dip for raw veggies like carrots, celery, and bell pepper

How to Use Cilantro Lime Dressing

It works on so many things! Here are just a few ideas.

• • Roasted veggies – Like our roasted broccoli, roasted cauliflower, or rainbow carrots
  • Salads – Like our baby beet green salad, arugula salad with peaches, or simple pasta salad
  • Grain Bowls – on any of our many grain bowls including our Mexican-style grain bowl, Spring Buddha Bowl, Mediterranean-style grain bowl, and our popular Grain Bowl Template. 
• If you decide to try this cilantro lime dressing recipe, let me know in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you!