Homemade salad dressing doesn’t get much easier than this. In just 5 minutes and with 6 simple ingredients you can make a creamy cilantro lime dressing that’s fresh, tangy, and versatile.
This creamy cilantro sauce combines bright lime, fragrant cilantro, and a hit of garlic for a dressing that livens up salads, tacos, bowls, and grilled foods. It’s quick to make and uses pantry-friendly ingredients.
How to Make Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
Step 1: Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender.
Step 2: Pulse on high for about 30 to 45 seconds, until everything is blended. You may still see small pieces of cilantro—that’s normal and adds texture and flavor.
That’s it—an easy creamy cilantro lime dressing (or creamy cilantro sauce). Enjoy it on your favorite dishes!
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
Dairy-free Greek yogurt: Use plain, unsweetened Greek-style yogurt to keep the dressing creamy without added sugar. Regular Greek yogurt works if you aren’t avoiding dairy.
Avocado oil: Avocado oil gives a neutral, smooth finish. Extra-virgin olive oil can be used instead for a more pronounced flavor.
Limes: Fresh lime juice brightens the dressing—use fresh limes rather than bottled juice when possible.
Sea salt: Fine sea salt or regular table salt will both work; adjust to taste.
Why You’ll Love this Dressing
Dairy free: Made with dairy-free Greek-style yogurt for a creamy texture without dairy. Substitute regular Greek yogurt if desired.
Fast & simple: Ready in about 5 minutes using a food processor or blender and six ingredients.
Versatile: Great on tacos, burritos, bowls, fajitas, quesadillas, salads, grilled chicken, and roasted or grilled vegetables.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. A blender will work, though with the small amount of liquid you might have a few larger cilantro pieces. A small high-speed blender or short pulses in a food processor will give the smoothest result.
Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes & Tips
Yogurt alternative: If you don’t have yogurt, a small ripe avocado blended in will give a creamy texture and keep the dressing dairy-free.
Spice it up: Add 1/4 to 1/2 jalapeño (seeds removed) for a bit of heat.
Sweeten if needed: The dressing is flavorful as written, but 1–2 teaspoons of honey can be added if you prefer a touch of sweetness.
More Recipes for You to Try!
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Vegan Kale Pesto
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Whole30 BBQ Sauce (Paleo)
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Clean Eating Taco Seasoning
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Berry Chia Jam
If you try this recipe, please leave a star rating or comment and share a photo on social media. I’d love to hear what you think!
Eat Clean. Be Well!
-Sara
Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing (dairy free)
Equipment
- food processor (or blender)
Ingredients
- 1 bunch cilantro (stems removed)
- 1/2 cup non-dairy Greek yogurt (plain, unsweetened)
- 1 large garlic clove
- 1/4 cup avocado oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 large limes)
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt (plus more to taste)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a food processor and pulse on high for 30–45 seconds, or until blended.
- If the dressing is too thick, add a little more oil until you reach the desired consistency. Taste and adjust salt or garlic as needed.
- Pour into a mason jar or airtight container and refrigerate. Dressing stays fresh up to 5 days.
Notes
- If not dairy-free, regular Greek yogurt (plain, unsweetened) may be used.
- Remove large cilantro stems; small stems are fine and add flavor.
- A blender works if you don’t have a food processor, though the texture may be slightly less smooth.
- Try the dressing with tacos, burritos, bowls, fajitas, quesadillas, salads, grilled chicken, or roasted vegetables.
Nutrition
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Carbohydrates: 2 g
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Protein: 2 g
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Fat: 9 g
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