Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

This cilantro lime vinaigrette is refreshing, vibrant, and unbelievably summery! With fresh cilantro, tangy lime, olive oil, and a touch of maple syrup, it’s the perfect accompaniment to green salads. It also makes a delicious marinade!

If you love bright, zesty dressings like this cilantro lime vinaigrette, you’ll also want to try my maple dijon dressing. It’s a quick 5-minute vegan vinaigrette that’s creamy, sweet, and tangy - perfect for salads, roasted veggies, or grain bowls.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Quick & easy: This cilantro lime vinaigrette comes together with just 7 ingredients in under 10 minutes.
• Healthy: Made with all-natural, whole-food ingredients, this dressing makes a well-balanced addition to your meals.
• Customizable: You can easily adjust the sweetness or acidity to suit your preferences.

Tangy cilantro lime vinaigrette

Cilantro and lime are two of those ingredients that were just made for each other. This cilantro lime vinaigrette is so vibrant and refreshing that I make it almost daily in the summer!

It adds a bright, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor to any bed of greens, but I especially love it in my mango cucumber salad. Extra-virgin olive oil creates a smooth and rich texture, while the garlic adds a punch of flavor that's mellowed by the sweetness of the maple syrup.

This vinaigrette is not only quick and easy to whip up with just a handful of ingredients but also completely customizable, giving you room to make substitutions to suit dietary needs and likings.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Cilantro: Forms the fresh, herbaceous backbone of the dressing! If you don’t have or don’t like cilantro, you can try parsley or mint for a different flavor profile.
• Lime: Both lime juice and zest provide acidity and brightness. Lemon juice and zest can be used as well for a slightly different but equally vibrant taste.
• Olive oil: For the best flavor, use extra-virgin olive oil. Avocado oil makes a great substitute for a lighter flavor.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves add savory depth and punch. Garlic powder can be used in a pinch, but I prefer fresh for this dressing.
• White vinegar: Gives the dressing a more acidic and tangy flavor profile. Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar also works for a sweeter tang.
• Maple syrup: Balances the tang and savoriness with a natural sweetness. Use 100% pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup. Agave is another great option.

How to make cilantro lime vinaigrette

• Step 1: Zest the lime first (just the green part, as the white pith is bitter), then cut it in half and squeeze out the juice.

• Step 2: Add everything to a blender, and mix the dressing on high. Blending not only mixes but emulsifies the dressing, giving it a slightly thick consistency that clings so well to the leaves of your salad.

• Step 3: If you find the vinaigrette a bit too thick, feel free to whisk in a tablespoon or two of water. It’s all about reaching your perfect dressing consistency.

• Step 4: Use your freshly made cilantro lime vinaigrette immediately, or transfer it to an airtight jar or bottle for storage.

Serving Suggestions

There are so many ways you can incorporate this cilantro lime vinaigrette into your cooking, but here are some of my favorite recipes to pair it with:

• As a dressing on a harvest salad
• Drizzled over my pickled beet salad with clementine oranges
• Instead of balsamic vinaigrette on this strawberry goat cheese salad
• Tossed with my dairy-free coleslaw salad instead of the creamy dressing
• On this easy vegan bean salad instead of the original sauce

Storage 

I always keep a jar of this cilantro lime vinaigrette on hand at all times. If you’re like me, follow these simple storage tips to keep it fresh:

• Fridge: Your vinaigrette will last up to a week in the fridge. Just keep it in a sealed container. The flavors will meld and deepen over time.
• Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing this dressing because thawing can cause separation and impact the emulsion's quality. Keep it in the fridge for the ideal taste and texture.

Variations

• Spicy: Include a jalapeño or a dash of red pepper flakes if you like it hot.
• Mango: Incorporate a few cubes of fresh mango for a tropical twist.
• Roasted garlic: Use roasted garlic cloves instead of raw for a milder, deeper flavor.
• Balsamic cilantro lime: Swap white vinegar with balsamic vinegar for a richer taste.

Top tips

• Zest before juicing: Always zest your lime before cutting and juicing it.
• Chill your dressing: I recommend letting the dressing chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving it to let the flavors meld.
• Blend it well: Ensure all of the ingredients are well-blended for a smooth consistency. If your dressing separates, just give it a good shake or blend it again.
• Thin it out if necessary: If the dressing thickens too much in the fridge, whisk in a little water or lime juice to bring it back to a pourable consistency.

FAQ

More dressing recipes

If you love having salad dressings at the ready like this cilantro lime vinaigrette, check out some more of my favorites like these:

• Southwest Salad Dressing: A creamy, spicy, and tangy recipe made in 5 minutes.
• Homemade Maple Dijon Vinaigrette: An easy dressing made from pantry staples.
• Sweet Balsamic Glaze with Maple: This 2-ingredient dressing transforms any dish into a burst of intense flavors.
• Oil-Free Creamy Balsamic Dressing: A healthier alternative to traditional salad dressings.