This Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing is a breeze to whip up. Fresh cilantro and a double dose of lime from the juice and zest make this cool and creamy dressing perfect for any salad. And it is so easy to make too!
>>Scroll down for my step by step video<<

cilantro lime dressing
Homemade dressings, like this Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing, are some of my favorite recipes to make. They are easy to whirl up in a blender, food processor or shake in a mason jar. There is no comparison to the store bought dressings and vinaigrettes! Homemade ones are definitely so much more fresh tasting.
Whenever I make salads for my personal chef clients, I always make a homemade dressing or vinaigrette. This Mediterranean Quinoa Salad with Maple Tahini Dressing is a favorite! Once you start making your own dressings and vinaigrettes, you will never reach for the bottled ones at the store again.
the ingredients for creamy cilantro lime dressing
Making a batch of this homemade dressing takes only about 5 minutes to make. And you will just love the creamy tangy flavor.
- sour cream
- mayonnaise
- lime juice and zest
- whole milk
- fresh cilantro
- maple syrup
- extra virgin olive oil
- garlic powder
- kosher salt
- freshly ground pepper
my cooking videos
I love to serve this dressing drizzled over my Southwest Salad with Chipotle Chicken. The cool creaminess with a touch of zest from the lime is perfect over the smoky and chipotle spiced chicken. Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing is also delicious tossed with a cherry tomato, avocado and pasta for a delicious pasta salad.
chef tips for making the salad dressing from scratch
- If using a blender or food processor to make the dressing, the cilantro leaves can be added whole. Mason jars are also great for making and storing dressings. If shaking up a batch of dressing in a mason jar, finely chop the cilantro leaves before adding them along with the other ingredients.
- A little sweetness balances out the flavor of the dressing. Use honey or agave in place of the maple syrup if desired.
- The dressing will stay fresh for about 7 days in the refrigerator. The dressing may thicken after being in the refrigerator. Thin it with a tablespoon or so of milk if a thinner consistency is desired.
If you make this fresh and creamy cilantro lime dressing, I’d love hearing from you. Be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating ~ I do my best to reply to all your comments. And snap a photo to post to Instagram. I’ll add the photos to my Insta stories as I love seeing all your creations. Check out my Facebook and Pinterest pages for lots of fabulous foodie stories and videos, cooking tips, and recipes.
some delicious salads recipes to try
- Melon Salad with Fresh Mozzarella and Pine Nuts
- Balsamic Steak Salad with Blue Cheese
- Homestyle Red Potato Salad with Dill Pickles
- Summer Avocado Corn Salad
- Grilled Shrimp Caesar Salad
recipe
Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing is a breeze to whip up. Fresh cilantro and a double dose of lime from the juice and zest make this cool and creamy dressing perfect for any salad. And it is so easy to make too!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons whole milk
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- zest of 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a blender, food processor or mason jar, add all of the ingredients. Process or shake until until the ingredients are combined and creamy. If using a mason jar, finely chop the cilantro leaves before adding them with the other ingredients.
- Season to taste with more kosher salt and pepper if desired.
- Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Shake or stir before serving. The dressing will thicken after refrigeration. Stir in a tablespoon or 2 of more milk to thin the dressing.
Notes
- If using a blender or food processor to make the dressing, the cilantro leaves can be added whole. Mason jars are also great for making and storing dressings. If shaking up a batch of dressing in a mason jar, finely chop the cilantro leaves before adding them along with the other ingredients.
- A little sweetness balances out the flavor of the dressing. Use honey or agave in place of the maple syrup if desired.
- Cilantro Lime Dressing will stay fresh for about 7 days in the refrigerator. The dressing may thicken after being in the refrigerator. Thin it with a tablespoon or so of milk if a thinner consistency is desired.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: condiment
- Method: blend
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 216
- Sugar: 1.6 g
- Sodium: 242 mg
- Fat: 22.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 5.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3.8 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
Keywords: salad dressing, cilantro lime dressing, homemade salad dressing