I promise this tart and zesty cilantro lime dressing recipe is going to become an instant favorite in your house. Not only is it easy to throw together, but it is also healthy and can be used in three different ways. Read on to learn how to make it – and then be sure to let me know which way you and your family prefer it.

What makes Cilantro Lime Dressing healthy

I love showing people that healthy food can be delicious, and this recipe fits the bill perfectly. So, what makes this particular dressing so healthy? 

It’s Homemade

One of the easiest things you can do for your health is to cook at home. Cooking at home reduces (and virtually eliminates) the number of additives and preservatives in your food. And one of the best places to start your home cooking is by making your own dressings. Store-bought dressings tend to be loaded with sodium and sugar if you buy low-fat dressings.

It Contains Healthy Fats

This cilantro lime dressing recipe is delicious with either extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil, both of which have many health benefits, including:

• strong anti-inflammatory properties
• high concentration of antioxidants that keep your cells healthy
• increased cardiovascular protection

It Contains Cilantro

Now, I know cilantro is one of the more polarizing herbs out there, but if you’re reading this, then I have to assume you’re part of 80% of the population that doesn’t think it tastes like soap. And lucky us, because cilantro is so good for you! It has incredible properties that help your liver enzymes function effectively. And proper liver function is vital for your body’s natural detox pathways.

3 Ways to use Cilantro Lime Dressing

Cilantro Lime Marinade

Use this recipe to marinate chicken or steak before grilling for the best fajitas! Because the ingredients go through the blender, the cilantro flavor really permeates the meat instead of leaving big chunks of herbs on the outside of the meat when grilling. If you go this route, plan to double the recipe so you can use the marinade as a dressing or as part of the sauce (listed below).

Cilantro Lime Dressing

This recipe is perfect to use if you’re making taco salad and want to add a little extra flavor to the meal in addition to the marinated meat and salsa. It would be great to add to a salad with chicken, steak, or even beans as the protein source.

Cilantro Lime Sauce

This cilantro lime dressing recipe is the first step towards creating the most amazing sauce for your fajitas and burrito bowls (my personal fave!). Depending on how much sauce you want (I like to have extra to use as a dip for veggies throughout the week), you can double the recipe for the dressing, use half to marinate the meat, and then use the other half to make this recipe. You’ll first want to make this cashew cream, but instead of using water to blend the cashews, you’ll want to use this dressing instead. I would start with using 1/2 cup of dressing and gradually increase the amount until you reach your desired consistency. 

Cilantro Lime Dressing Ingredients

This recipe is quick to throw together. You’ll need the following:

•  1/3 c extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
•  1/4 c fresh lime juice
•  2 T apple cider vinegar
•  2 T raw honey or coconut sugar
•  1/4 – 1/3 c cilantro leaves
•  1/4 t salt, plus more to taste
•  a few turns of fresh black pepper

To Prepare:

Add all ingredients to a high-speed blend (like this one), and blend until pureed. Used as described above.

How to Store:

Keep this cilantro lime dressing in an air-tight container for up to 2-3 weeks.

For more healthy meal ideas like this one, check out:

Cashew Cream Recipe: Quick & Easy

3 Easy Gluten-Free Recipe Ideas

To Prepare:

Add all ingredients to a high-speed blend (like this one), and blend until pureed. Used as described above.