This cilantro lime dressing is easy to make with a blend of mayo, buttermilk, cilantro and lime! It’s a creamy, fresh and flavorful way to jazz up anything from salad bowls to seafood and chicken!
Homemade dressing recipes are SO much better than store-bought! Other favorites include cilantro lime crema, Italian dressing and balsamic vinaigrette.
Table of Contents
Mexican Cilantro and Lime Dressing
This dressing is so easy to whip up and will add SO much flavor to your meal. We love pouring it on taco salads, beef tacos, burrito bowls and even skillet nachos. I also love it on my favorite BBQ chicken salad. Seriously, it tastes good on any Mexican dish!
I always order the Café Rio cilantro lime dressing and wanted to recreate my own version. It’s consistency reminds me of a ranch dressing but with other fresh ingredients like cilantro, jalapeno, lime juice and a tomatillo. It’s perfectly creamy and smooth and tastes amazing on SO many dishes.
Ingredients
Amounts included in printable recipe below.
- Buttermilk: This adds a creamy texture and tangy flavor.
- Mayonnaise: I like using mayo in my dressing, but feel free to sub with sour cream or Greek yogurt if preferred.
- Ranch seasoning mix: Adding ranch seasoning really enhances the flavor of this dressing!
- Cilantro: I like to leave some cilantro bits in mine when blending, but you’re welcome to blend until the consistency is smooth too.
- Jalapeno: If you like your dressings on the milder side, make sure to remove the seeds from the jalapeno. If you’re a fan of heat, keep the seeds and feel free to add in more jalapeno if preferred.
- Garlic: I typically add in about 1 teaspoon of fresh garlic for added flavor.
- Lime juice: The fresh lime juice helps to add acidity and gives the dressing that perfect zing.
- Tomatillo: A Mexican husk tomato with a bright fresh flavor and green color.
Tips + Modifications
- Let chill. Make sure to chill the dressing at least 30 minutes before serving. It helps meld all the flavors together and thickens it up a bit.
- Spice. If you like heat, you can leave the seeds on the jalapeno or even use an additional Tablespoon (it will be hot!).
- Buttermilk. If you don’t have any on hand, make homemade buttermilk by mixing together whole milk and distilled vinegar.
- Garlic. If you really like garlic, you can add an additional teaspoon for an extra oomph of garlic flavor.
- Tomatillos. If you don’t have fresh tomatillos, you can use 1/4 cup store bought salsa verde in it’s place.
- Consistency. If the dressing is too thick, add in a little more buttermilk until it’s reached the desired consistency.
Favorite Ways to Use It
There are so many ways to use this cilantro ranch dressing! Below are a few of our favorites:
- Drizzled over a big Mexican salad, BBQ chicken salad, taco salad or fajita salad
- As a topping on sweet pork tacos, BBQ chicken tacos or chicken tinga tacos
- Added to Mexican dishes like chicken taquitos, burrito bowls or oven baked nachos
- It also makes a great dip for fresh vegetables
Storage Instructions
This dressing will stay good for about 5-7 days if stored in the refrigerator. Just make sure to store in an airtight container, such as a mason jar. The flavors in the dressing will continue to meld as it chills in the fridge.
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Cilantro Lime Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup mayo , can sub with sour cream or greek yogurt
- 1 ½ Tablespoons ranch seasoning mix
- ¾ cup fresh cilantro
- 1 Tablespoon finely diced jalapeno
- 1 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
- ½ tomatillo
Instructions
- Add the buttermilk, mayo, ranch, cilantro, jalapeno, garlic, lime juice and tomatillo in a blender. Blend until well combined or you reach desired thickness.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use. It will stay good for 5-7 days. Serve over salads.
Notes
- If you don’t have fresh tomatillos, you can use 1/4 cup store bought salsa verde in it’s place.
- Remove the seeds from the jalapeno if you don’t want any spice. Add more jalapeno, if you like the heat.
- You can thin out with milk, as needed.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: Cinco De Mayo, Condiments, Dressings, Low Carb, Mexican, Nut-Free, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
My cousin loves this kind of dressing I am sending this to her right now she is going to flip over it bet she makes it today! Thanks for sharing
I hope she loves it!
Another fantastic homemade dressing, we used a 0% fat greek yoghurt instead of mayo. Great way to liven up a simple side salad.
Love the healthier swap! So glad you liked the dressing :)
I love making my own dressing! This cilantro lime looks so delicious and pretty healthy too.
This is one of my favourite dressings to make. So easy and delicious.
This looks amazing! I love homemade dressings also. Love how many suggestions you have for uses and I think I will try the skillet nachos combo!
Sounds really amazing! Love how easy to make this and it’s crazy delicious, looking forward to trying this!
i make this all the time and it’s DELICIOUS!
This looks so easy and Mmm-Mmmm good!! Everything you make looks SOOOO good!!! You are amazing!! And the photography!! I just love your site so much. : )
This is my favorite dressing! You make it look so easy so I’m totally trying this at home. Thank you!
Homemade dressings always have the best flavor! So fresh and add so much to any dish.