Tangy 5-minute Cilantro Lime Dressing made in the blender for extra creaminess with extra virgin olive oil, fresh lime juice, plenty of cilantro, hemp seeds, and a touch of maple syrup. Enjoy it on arugula salad, as a chicken or shrimp marinade, on grilled veggies, pasta salad, or black bean quinoa salad. So much better than bottled and dairy free.
That gorgeous green! Can you handle it?
Okay, we're big homemade salad dressing people over here. I definitely dabble in bottled dressings for convenience, but can we agree that nothing compares to freshly made, herby salad dressing?
The proof's in my 5-Minute Mediterranean Salad Dressing, Healthy Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing, and Creamy Balsamic.
Fragrant cilantro, punchy lime juice, fruity olive oil, and my secret ingredient...hemp seeds. So creamy, so packed with healthy fats. The greens n' grains are simply screaming for it!
Ingredients
- Cilantro: Fresh, herbaceous cilantro makes the most beautiful green dressing!
- Extra virgin olive oil: love the silky smooth fruitiness this adds to our dressing.
- Lime juice: We're squeezing the juice of a fresh lime for bright, limey flavor.
- Maple syrup: This natural sweetener perfectly balances the zesty lime juice. Honey would also be great.
- Hemp seeds: My secret ingredient for extra creaminess! These also add a boost of healthy fats.
- Salt: Key for flavors that pop.
How to make
Place cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, water, maple syrup and salt in a blender.
Blend until smooth and creamy.
Serving ideas
I love this on a big leafy green or grain salad (or pasta!) with pepitas, corn and queso fresco. Add mango to make it a really big deal!
Drizzle it on eggs and avocado toast. Seriously!
Elevate grilled chicken or salmon. You could even use this as a marinade. Fancy.
Storage
Store in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 week.
Let me know in the comments if you love this one! You're totally a salad person...
Print
Healthy 5-Minute Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Salads
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Tangy 5-minute Cilantro Lime Dressing made in the blender for extra creaminess with extra virgin olive oil, fresh lime juice, plenty of cilantro, and a touch of maple syrup. Enjoy it on arugula salad, as a chicken or shrimp marinade, on grilled veggies, pasta salad, or black bean quinoa salad. So much better than bottled and dairy free. This recipe makes about ¾ cup dressing.
Ingredients
- ½ cup cilantro
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp hemp seeds*
- ½ tsp fine sea salt + pinch of freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust any flavors (salt, lime juice, maple syrup, etc) needed.
Notes
*Hemp seeds are packed with protein and healthy fats and can be found at mostly all grocery stores these days (I add them to smoothies and oatmeal). If you don't have them, they can be omitted. They do add extra creaminess!
Holly says
Can you use chia seeds instead of hemp seeds?
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
No I wouldn't recommend that here--they will thicken the dressing and make it more gelatinous. Hemp seeds blend up and just ad creaminess without the binding facotr.
Alexis Joseph says
Love it!!
Alexis Joseph says
Thanks so much, Hannah!
Faith Rosenberg says
Can you substitute Parsley for Cilantro? I am one of those people who thinks Cilantro tastes like soap.
Alexis Joseph says
Hey there! Hmmm, I'd say if you love parsley go for it! I have only made this with cilantro so I can't say for sure.