Name: Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: American
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

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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!

glass pitcher with creamy cilantro lime salad dressing

Homemade dressings, like 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.

blender with the ingredients for cilantro lime dressing

the ingredients for Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing

Making a batch of homemade Creamy Cilantro Lime 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

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 recipe

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.
Creamy 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.

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.

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