This homemade Cilantro-Lime Dressing only requires a handful of ingredients, but renders incredible flavor and will take any salad or grilled meat up several levels! Use as a dressing or marinade.
If you love the flavors of cilantro and lime, don’t miss our cilantro-lime rice!
Easy Homemade Cilantro Lime Dressing
I adore homemade sauces and dressings to the moon and back. Store bought ain’t got nothing on homemade! And making dressings at home from scratch is SO easy.
This Cilantro-Lime Dressing came from my friend Sherry; she said it’s a recreation of some TGI Friday’s dressing they use on their grilled chicken salad. I’ve never been to TGI Friday’s, but I can totally see this dressing being awesome on grilled chicken. The funny thing is, I’m not really a huge fan of cilantro, but I absolutely love this dressing where it’s basically the main ingredient. I kind of want to drink it.
Ingredients Needed
You just need a handful of ingredients for this dressing recipe.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Cilantro – Our star ingredient and the base of the dressing. Feel free to use the leaves and stems, since it’s all blended anyway.
- Jalapeño pepper – Provides a bit of awesome heat. Make sure to remove the seeds so the dressing isn’t overly spicy.
- Garlic & Ginger – For wonderful aromatics and flavor.
- Lime juice – Adds tanginess. Freshly squeezed is a must.
- Balsamic vinegar – Adds a rich, complex explosive flavor with sweet undertones.
- Honey – For a bit of sweetness to balance out the sharp vinegar and tart citrus.
- Kosher salt & pepper – Heightens all the other flavors.
- Olive oil – Adds richness and blends everything together.
Make it Creamy
Is This a Salad Dressing or Marinade?
You can use this cilantro lime dressing recipe for salads or a marinade for grilled meats. I’ve actually been putting it on all.the.things. because it’s so wonderful.
Great as a marinade for grilled chicken, or in these Tropical Chicken Lettuce Cups. And also just drizzled on some (rinsed and drained) canned chickpeas – AWESOME afternoon snack!
Proper Storage
Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight jar in the refrigerator and will last up to 4 days.
More Dressing Recipes:
- Honey-Sesame Dressing
- Green Goddess Dressing
- Greek Salad Dressing
- Poppy Seed Dressing
- Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Homemade Ranch Dressing
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Cilantro-Lime Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 small jalapeño pepper , seeds removed, roughly chopped
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1/2 cup lime juice , freshly squeezed
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup packed cilantro
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Place jalapeño, garlic clove, and ginger in the bowl of a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Pour in the lime juice, honey, balsamic, salt, pepper, and cilantro leaves; pulse until well blended.
- Leave the food processor running and slowly pour in the olive oil until incorporated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.
- Use on leafy or bean salads or as a marinade for grilled chicken or beef.FOR A CREAMY DRESSING: blend in 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt or a ripe avocado.
For the first time, I have found a dressing that I really like!
This was DELISH! Way better than anything I’ve purchased at the store.