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    Home » Course » Sauces and Dips

    Easy Creamy Vegan Cilantro Lime Dressing

    Published: Jul 24, 2017 · Modified: Nov 6, 2022 by Erin Carter · This post may contain affiliate links · 15 Comments

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    This creamy, vegan cilantro lime dressing is the best, simple dressing. Ready in just a few minutes this dairy free and paleo dressing will turn any boring salad into a dish that is bursting with flavour. It can also be used as a dip or marinade.

    A bottle of vegan cilantro lime dressing surround by cilantro and lime wedges.

    Why you will love this recipe:

    • This is the best dairy free cilantro lime dressing! It has the most amazing creamy, zesty flavour.
    • It is quick and easy to make and only takes a few minutes to prepare.
    • This healthy dressing is vegan, Whole30, gluten free, paleo, low carb, keto and AIP.
    • It's made with no yogurt, no mayo, no vinegar, no avocado, no garlic, no sour cream and no sugar and instead is made with coconut milk to give it that perfect thick texture.
    • Because it's made in the blender it's ready in no time at all.
    • It can be used in so many ways including for salads, coleslaw, for tacos, as a dip or as a marinade.

    Taste and texture:

    This green dressing or green sauce is smooth, creamy, zesty and bursting with fresh flavour.

    Key ingredients and substitutions:

    • Cilantro - fresh cilantro adds so much fresh flavour and a gorgeous green colour to this dressing.
    • Limes - you will use fresh limes for both the zest and the juice to give this dressing that delicious fresh citrus taste.
    • Coconut milk - full fat coconut milk is used to give this vegan dressing that smooth, creamy texture, while making it without yogurt and without cashews. I recommend using full fat rather than low fat coconut milk for the best creamy flavour.

    How to make:

    Step one:

    Place all the ingredients into your high speed blender (such as a Vitamix).

    Step two:

    Blend everything well until you have a smooth, creamy dressing.

    Tips and variations:

    • You could easily double or tripe this recipe if you want to have more on hand for later.
    • If you can't have coconut milk I would use cashew milk instead.
    • If you want a bit more flavour, add 1-2 cloves of garlic to this salad dressing recipe.

    How to use:

    This dressing can be used in so many ways including:

    • It makes the perfect dressing for salads, for coleslaw or for pasta salad.
    • It can be used as a dipping sauce for raw vegetables, for shrimp, for sweet potato fries, or for chicken dishes.
    • This dressing can be used as a marinade.
    • It can be used to top tacos, fish tacos or burrito bowls.
    • Use it as a sauce for rice or pasta dishes (or cauli rice if you are avoiding grains).

    Nutrition info:

    This vegan cilantro lime dressing recipe has approximately 74 calories per serving with 1 gram of carbohydrates, 0 net carbs, 1 gram of protein, 8 grams of fat, 1 gram of sugar and 1 gram of fiber.

    How to store:

    Store any leftover dressing in the fridge in an airtight container or jar for up to 7 days.

    A bottle of cilantro lime salad dressing surrounded by limes and fresh cilantro.

    Frequently asked questions:

    Is this a low fat salad dressing?

    No it is not. This dressing is made with full fat coconut milk meaning it's full of healthy fats and has approximately 8 grams of fat per serving.

    Is this cilantro lime dressing keto?

    Yes it is. This dressing has 1 gram of carbs and 0 grams of net carbs per serving meaning it's low in carbs and keto.

    How much sugar is in this dressing?

    This dressing has 1 gram of sugar per serving.

    Is this dressing Whole30 compliant?

    Yes it is.

    Other recipes you will like: 

    • Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
    • Carrot Dip with Chilis
    • Vegan caesar dressing
    • Vegan Sour Cream
    • Walnut dressing
    • Strawberry, mint and basil vinaigrette

    Since you made it this far we are basically best friends so be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook where I share even more recipes and healthy living tips! And don’t forget to leave this recipe a star review before you go!

    A bottle of vegan cilantro lime dressing surrounded by fresh cilantro and lime wedges.

    Vegan Cilantro Lime Dressing

    This vegan cilantro lime dressing is the easiest and tastiest dressing! It can be used in so many ways and only takes a few minutes to make.
    4.59 from 12 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    Cook Time: 2 minutes
    Total Time: 4 minutes
    Servings: 32 servings
    Calories: 74kcal
    Author: Dr. Erin Carter

    Equipment

    • Vitamix blender

    Ingredients

    • 1 bunch cilantro
    • zest from 1 lime
    • juice from 1 lime
    • 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (to taste)
    • 1/2 cup avocado oil
    • 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk

    Instructions

    • Place all the ingredients into your food processor or your high speed blender and blend until smooth
    • Serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    1. This dressing stores really well in the fridge for up to 1 week.
    2. Use this dressing as a dip, sauce, marinade or dressing. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 74kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 110mg | Potassium: 18mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 34IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @pureandsimpleno or tag #pureandsimpleno!

    More Healthy Sauces, Dips and Dressings

    • Pumpkin Seed Butter
    • Vegan Walnut Pesto
    • Coconut Condensed Milk
    • Vegan Sriracha Mayo

    DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alanna de Boer

      July 25, 2017 at 5:23 pm

      I love cilantro so much, I really need to make this! I just realized, I'm coming through Vernon on Aug 10. Will you still be there, or am I too late? haha. I feel like we're never out there at the same time!

      Reply
      • Erin Carter

        July 25, 2017 at 5:42 pm

        Oh man I put cilantro on everything! And darn I leave on the 5th. But ill be back again around the 19th for a couple weeks depending on how long you're going to be there??

        Reply
        • Alanna de Boer

          July 27, 2017 at 10:17 pm

          Just overnight. I have to get to Vancouver for SeaWheeze & then I drive down to SF from there.

          Reply
    2. Lisa W.

      August 04, 2017 at 1:41 am

      Has anyone tried this with another oil? It sounds amazing but I have an avocado allergy 🙁 🙁 and have no idea what oil might be the best substitute.

      Reply
      • Erin Carter

        August 04, 2017 at 2:41 am

        Hey Lisa! I would try olive oil. Or anything with a mild flavour. Hope that helps!

        Reply
    3. Amber

      August 08, 2017 at 1:59 pm

      How long does the dressing stay good for?

      Reply
      • Erin Carter

        August 10, 2017 at 3:21 am

        Hey Amber
        I kept mine for a week before it ran out so you are safe for that long for sure. I haven't tried keeping it longer though. It will partly depend on how fresh your ingredients are when you make it so use your own judgement there.

        Reply
      • Eleanor Johnston

        June 23, 2020 at 5:16 pm

        This was so delicious!! I added some fresh ginger before blending also. Thank you for the recipe!

        Reply
        • Erin Carter

          June 28, 2020 at 8:54 pm

          OH I am so glad you liked it! And love the idea off adding ginger! Thanks for sharing

          Reply
    4. Ashley Woodward

      October 11, 2017 at 2:22 pm

      Since I eat a lot of salads, I’m always on the lookout for a new dressing and this became my go-to salad dressing. Yummy thank you Dr. Erin!

      Reply
    5. David

      November 03, 2019 at 6:25 pm

      HI, this looks like a wonderful dressing. My quetion is what is a serving size? A table spoon? Thank You in adadance! 🙂

      Reply
      • Erin Carter

        November 08, 2019 at 2:44 pm

        It really depends on what you are using it for. For example a small side salad would require much less dressing than a large salad you are eating for a meal. I wouldn't say there is a standard serving size.

        Reply
    6. Kristie

      January 22, 2020 at 11:38 pm

      Cilantro is the best!5 stars

      Reply
    7. Wendy

      June 21, 2021 at 7:01 pm

      This is so simple and good! I will make this over and over.5 stars

      Reply
      • Erin Carter

        July 31, 2021 at 3:15 pm

        I am so happy you like it!!!!

        Reply

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