This Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette is a fresh, vibrant homemade dressing that’s full of herbaceous and tangy flavor. It’s delicious drizzled over summer salads, grilled veggies, and taco bowls – and it makes an awesome dipping sauce!
This tangy, vibrant Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette keeps your salads and bowls feeling light and fresh, with some delicious Tex-Mex vibes. It’s a beautiful addition to the summer table, drizzled over summer salads, grilled veggies, and more. We like it with a Grilled Chicken Southwest Salad as much as a simple Dorito Taco Salad – and it’s wonderful drizzled over Tex-Mex Scallop Rice Bowls and Grilled Potatoes. It even makes a great dip for fresh veggies!
Why Your Next Salad Needs This Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette
You know me. I’m all about homemade salad dressings. And I have a serious affection for fresh lime. So this vinaigrette is a win-win in my book! Here’s what makes it so awesome:
- Herbaceous and zippy. The herby, fresh cilantro combined with the bright tang of lime juice makes this vinaigrette sing. And it’s delicious with SO MANY things!
- Tastier than store-bought. The majority of store-bought dressings contain preservatives and fillers, and while they can be flavorful, they lack freshness and good-for-you qualities — which is what you want in a salad.
- Easy to make. With just a handful of ingredients and a food processor, this cilantro lime vinaigrette comes together in minutes. It’s SO worth making your own salad dressing!
What You’ll Need
Here’s a quick list of all the ingredients you’ll need to make this incredibly delicious cilantro lime vinaigrette. Scroll down to the printable recipe card to find the exact ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
- Cilantro – Make sure it’s fresh and vibrant, and remove any thicker, tougher stems.
- Garlic – For a pungent, earthy element.
- Lime – You’ll need both the juice and the zest for this cilantro lime vinaigrette.
- Honey – This balances the acidity with a touch of sweetness. Agave syrup works as a substitute.
- Salt – I use coarse kosher salt.
- Cumin – Adds a warm, earthy note.
- Olive oil – Extra-virgin olive oil adds richness to the dressing.
How to Make Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette
This simple, flavorful vinaigrette comes together in just a few easy steps!
- Pulse. Add the cilantro, garlic, lime juice and zest, honey, salt, and cumin to your food processor. Pulse until the ingredients are evenly combined.
- Add the oil. Drizzle the olive oil into the food processor while the blade runs. Continue to process until the dressing is smooth and thickens a bit.
- Serve or store. Transfer the cilantro lime vinaigrette to a serving vessel for immediate use. Or place it in an airtight container (I like to use a canning jar and lid) and refrigerate for up to a week.
Variations
Here are a few ways to customize your cilantro lime vinaigrette.
- Make a chimichurri-inspired vinaigrette. Swap half the cilantro for parsley to mimic the flavor of chimichurri sauce.
- Try different citrus juices. While lime is the star of this dressing, I think a combination of orange and lime, or lemon and lime, would be tasty too.
- Add some heat. Make the vinaigrette spicy by adding some fresh jalapeno or dried red pepper flakes to the food processor. Or add Pickled Jalapenos for a little pickled heat.
- Make it creamy. For a creamy, ranch-like dressing, add 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt to the food processor while making the dressing. Or blend in one fresh avocado. Use either of these creamy versions as a dressing, sauce, or dip!
Our Favorite Ways to Use This Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette
While this vinaigrette is an obvious way to enjoy salads, it’s incredibly versatile. Here are some of our favorite ways to use it:
- Drizzle over salads. My Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken is the obvious choice. It’s also delicious with this Grilled Vegetable Salad, in place of the Lemon Vinaigrette.
- Use as a marinade. Cilantro lime vinaigrette is an excellent marinade for chicken or shrimp, especially before grilling.
- Top tacos or burrito bowls. Drizzle this zesty vinaigrette over my Fish Tacos Recipe or Carnitas Burrito Bowls.
- Dip! Serve this as a dipping sauce for raw or roasted veggies, or for Southwest Eggrolls or Fried Yellow Squash!
How to Store
Transfer the cilantro lime vinaigrette to an airtight container, bottle, or jar, and refrigerate for up to a week.
Shake or stir well before using. If the oil separates and solidifies in the fridge, let the dressing come to room temperature before shaking or stirring and using.
Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 2 cups roughly chopped and softly packed fresh cilantro, with large, tough stems removed
- 1 large clove garlic, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 2 teaspoons honey
- ½ teaspoon Morton kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- In a food processor, pulse the cilantro, garlic, lime juice and zest, honey, salt, and cumin until everything is broken down and evenly combined.
- With the blade running, drizzle in the olive oil. Process until smooth and lightly thickened. (Makes about ¾ cup.)
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