Cilantro Lime Fresh Dressing (Printer-Friendly)
Bright cilantro, tangy lime, garlic, and olive oil blended into a zesty dressing for salads, bowls, and grilled dishes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fresh Ingredients
01 - 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed, stems removed
02 - 2 cloves garlic
03 - 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
04 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and chopped (optional, for heat)
→ Pantry Staples
05 - 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
06 - 2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup (use agave for vegan option)
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
# How to Make It:
01 - Place cilantro leaves, garlic cloves, lime juice, jalapeño (if using), honey or agave syrup, cumin, sea salt, and black pepper into a blender or food processor bowl.
02 - Blend on medium speed until 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 - Stop the blender and taste the dressing. Adjust salt or lime juice as needed to balance the flavor.
04 - Transfer the dressing to a glass jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate until ready to use. Shake well before each serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It takes exactly ten minutes and transforms anything it touches into something you actually crave.
- The balance of bright lime and earthy cumin makes people ask what your secret is every single time.
02 -
- If you add the oil all at once instead of drizzling slowly the dressing will break and look oily instead of creamy.
- This dressing intensifies after a night in the fridge so go easy on the garlic if you plan to make it ahead.
03 -
- Toast the cumin in a dry skillet for thirty seconds before adding it and the entire dressing will taste deeper and more complex.
- A tiny pinch of salt on the cilantro before blending draws out moisture and helps everything come together faster.