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Lime Cilantro Dressing Recipe

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4.3 from 32 reviews

This vibrant Lime Cilantro Dressing is a quick and flavorful sauce perfect for salads, grilled meats, or as a dipping sauce. Made with fresh cilantro, lime juice, and a hint of honey, it offers a bright, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor profile that can be easily customized with creamy yogurt or spicy chili flakes for added texture and heat.

Ingredients

Base Dressing

  • 2 cups packed cilantro leaves
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1/2 cup avocado oil or other neutral-tasting oil
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. honey
  • 3/4 tsp. kosher salt

Optional Add-ins

  • 1/2 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt (for creamy version)
  • 1/4 tsp. or more red chili flakes (for spicy version)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the base dressing: Combine all the base dressing ingredients—cilantro leaves, garlic clove, avocado oil, fresh lime juice, ground cumin, honey, and kosher salt—in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the dressing is smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed to ensure an even blend.
  2. Serve or store: Serve the dressing immediately for the freshest flavor. Alternatively, store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to enjoy later.
  3. Make it creamy (optional): For a richer, creamier version, blend in 1/2 cup of plain whole-milk Greek yogurt with the base dressing until fully combined.
  4. Add spice (optional): To add a spicy kick, incorporate 1/4 teaspoon or more of red chili flakes into the base dressing and pulse gently to mix.

Notes

  • The dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Feel free to adjust honey to taste for sweetness balance.
  • Use this dressing as a marinade or drizzle over salads, grilled vegetables, tacos, or seafood.
  • For a vegan version, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar and omit yogurt or use a plant-based alternative.
  • If cilantro flavor is too strong, reduce the amount or add more oil/lime juice to mellow it.