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.

Cilantro lime dressing in glass jar.

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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.
Blending together cilantro lime salad dressing.

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:

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.

Spoonful of creamy cilantro lime dressing.

More Homemade Dressings

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cilantro lime dressing

Cilantro Lime Dressing

5 from 13 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 12
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!
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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. 

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

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

Calories: 76kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 5mg, Sodium: 210mg, Potassium: 22mg, Vitamin A: 90IU, Vitamin C: 1.2mg, Calcium: 12mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.