Cilantro Lime Dressing

Greek yogurt makes this easy Cilantro Lime Dressing rich and creamy with a pop of protein to boot. The 5-ingredient homemade salad dressing is so tasty, you’ll want to drizzle it over everything from chicken and shrimp to bowls and salads.

The original Hidden Valley Ranch, of the bottled ranch dressing, is a real place in Santa Barbara, California. With that inspiration in mind, I stepped into my Test Kitchen to create a silky, herb-spiked ranch dip substitute which I now call “California Ranch.”

Just 5 ingredients are required to recreate this far-better-than-bottled homemade salad dressing. (If you’re looking for the OG, I’ve got your Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix here, by the way.) This creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing recipe features some of my favorite fresh, vibrant flavors the Southwest. Although it sure doesn’t taste healthy, this easy dressing recipe is made with a base of Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, which delivers a dose of protein and gut health-promoting probiotics.

This is same kind of dressing they drizzle over taco salads and quesadillas at my favorite Tex-Mex restaurants, but it’s super simple to make at home in 5 minutes flat.

Recipe ingredients

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

Ingredient notes

• Plain Greek yogurt: For a richer texture and flavor, opt for a fat level of 2% or higher. That said, any plain Greek yogurt from 0% up works for this creamy salad dressing. Sour cream is a great substitute, if you prefer.
• Garlic: Mince the garlic before adding to the food processor, otherwise, you may be left with large chunks of garlic in the salad dressing (which I certainly don’t mind, but know that not everyone loves).

Step by step instructions

1. In a food processor or blender, combine cilantro, yogurt, lime juice, and garlic. Blend until smooth.

2. With the motor running, slowly add olive oil through the feed tube.

3. Season to taste with salt and pepper (I like ¼ teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper). Chill until serving.

Recipe tips and variations

• Yield: This Cilantro Lime Dressing recipe makes about 2 cups. This is equivalent to 32 tablespoons, enough for 16 servings, 2 tablespoons each.
• Storage: Store leftovers covered with a lid in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Garlic: Try roasted garlic instead of raw for a more mellow flavor.
• Green Goddess: Made with parsley, chives, and tarragon, Green Goddess dressing has a similar color and texture but a different (yet equally delicious) herby flavor profile. It’s a great choice to explore next!
• Avocado Sauce: This creamy, green, 2-minute salsa is made with ripe avocados and serrano peppers. It’s got just the right amount of kick for tacos, tostadas, beans, and burrito bowls.
• Salsa Verde: For a medium-heat salsa, try this easy, spot-on copycat recipe for Chipotle’s Tomatillo-Green Chili Salsa.

More homemade salad dressings

Salad Dressing Recipes

Ranch Dressing Recipe

Salad Dressing Recipes

Thousand Island Dressing

Salad Dressing Recipes

Red Wine Vinaigrette

Salad Dressing Recipes

Thai Peanut Dressing

Cilantro Lime Dressing

By Meggan Hill

Greek yogurt makes this easy Cilantro Lime Dressing rich and creamy with a pop of protein to boot. The 5-ingredient homemade salad dressing is so tasty, you'll want to drizzle it over everything from chicken and shrimp to bowls and salads.

Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Servings 16 servings (2 tbsp each)

Course Pantry

Cuisine American

Calories 70

4.93 from 71 votes

ReviewPrint

Ingredients 

US CustomaryMetric

• ▢ 1 cup cilantro leaves
• ▢ 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (see note 1)
• ▢ 2 tablespoons lime juice
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced (see note 2)
• ▢ 1/4 cup olive oil
• ▢ Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions 

• In a food processor or blender, combine cilantro, yogurt, lime juice, and garlic. Blend until smooth.
• With the motor running, slowly add olive oil through the feed-tube. Season to taste with salt and pepper (I like ¼ teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper). Chill until serving.

Notes

1. Plain Greek yogurt: For a richer texture and flavor, opt for a fat level of 2% or higher. That said, any plain Greek yogurt from 0% up works for this creamy salad dressing. Sour cream is a great substitute, if you prefer.
2. Garlic: Mince the garlic before adding to the food processor, otherwise, you may be left with large chunks of garlic in the salad dressing (which I certainly don’t mind, but know that not everyone loves).
3. Yield: This Cilantro Lime Dressing recipe makes about 2 c. This is equivalent to 32 Tbsp., enough for 16 servings, 2 Tbsp. each.
4. Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 2 tbspCalories: 70kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 6mgPotassium: 36mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 137IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 1mg

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