Cilantro Lime Fresh Dressing (Printable version)
A zesty blend of fresh cilantro, tangy lime, and garlic creates this versatile dressing. Ready in 10 minutes for salads, marinades, or drizzling over your favorite dishes.
# What you'll need:
→ Fresh Ingredients
01 - 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed, stems removed
02 - 2 cloves garlic, peeled
03 - 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (approximately 2 limes)
04 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and chopped (optional, for heat)
→ Pantry
05 - 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
06 - 2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup (use agave for vegan)
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
# Directions:
01 - Place cilantro leaves, garlic cloves, lime juice, jalapeño (if using), honey or agave syrup, cumin, salt, and pepper into a blender or food processor.
02 - Blend on medium speed until the ingredients are finely minced. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil through the feed tube and continue blending until the dressing is smooth and fully emulsified.
03 - Taste the dressing and adjust the salt or lime juice as desired to balance the flavor.
04 - Transfer the dressing to a jar or bottle, seal, and refrigerate until ready to use. Shake well before each serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It takes exactly ten minutes from cabinet to table and requires zero cooking whatsoever.
- The flavor punches way above its effort level, making anything you drizzle it on taste restaurant quality.
02 -
- If you add the oil all at once instead of drizzling it slowly, the dressing will break and look oily instead of creamy.
- Separation in the fridge is totally normal and just means you need to shake the jar before each use.
03 -
- Roll your limes firmly on the counter before cutting them to get way more juice out of each one.
- A tiny pinch of sugar can rescue a dressing that turned out too sour from an especially acidic lime.