This creamy, vegan cilantro lime dressing is the best, simple salad 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.
Healthy salad dressings like my vegan Caesar dressing, the best strawberry basil vinaigrette, and walnut dressing help add so much flavour to meals, which is why I can't wait for you to try the easy dressing recipe I am sharing with you today!
Why you will love this recipe:
- The taste! 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, dairy free, sugar free, plant based, gluten free, paleo, low carb, keto, and AIP.
- It's made with no yogurt, no mayo, and no avocado, and instead is made with coconut milk to give it that perfect thick and creamy texture.
- This vegan cilantro lime dressing can be used in so many ways including for salads, coleslaw, for tacos, as a dip, or as a marinade.
If you love salad dressings you will also love my dill pickle salad dressing.
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.
- Avocado oil - this neutral oil helps give the dressing its smooth texture. You could swap this for olive oil instead.
- Salt - to add a bit more flavour to this delicious salad dressing.
Recipe variations and add ins:
- You can double or tripe the recipe for this vegan cilantro lime dressing if you are serving a crowd or want to have more on hand for later for meal prep.
- If you can't have coconut milk I would use unsweetened cashew milk instead.
- For a stronger lime flavour add a bit more lime juice and lime zest.
- For a different taste you could use a dairy-free plain yogurt instead of coconut milk. This will also make the dressing thicker and more tangy.
- If you want a bit more flavour: add 1-2 cloves of garlic or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder to the recipe. You could also add a little black pepper.
How to make vegan cilantro lime dressing:
Step 1
Place all the ingredients into your high speed blender or food processor.
Step 2
Blend everything well until you have a smooth, creamy dressing.
Step 3
Transfer the dressing to a jar or bottle and then serve and enjoy!
How to serve:
This vegan cilantro lime dressing can be used in so many ways including:
- It makes the perfect dressing for salads, 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's great for chicken and fish dishes.
- It can be used to top tacos, fish tacos or burrito bowls.
- Use it as a sauce for rice or pasta dishes.
How to store:
Store any leftover dressing in the fridge in an airtight container or jar for up to 7 days.
Vegan cilantro lime dressing FAQs:
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.
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.
This dressing has 1 gram of sugar per serving.
Yes it is.
Other vegan recipes you will love:
Recipe
Vegan Cilantro Lime Dressing
Equipment
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
- This dressing stores really well in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Use this sauce as a dip, sauce, marinade or salad dressing.
- Nutritional values are an estimate and will vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
Wendy
This is so simple and good! I will make this over and over.
Erin Carter
I am so happy you like it!!!!
Kristie
Cilantro is the best!
David
HI, this looks like a wonderful dressing. My quetion is what is a serving size? A table spoon? Thank You in adadance! 🙂
Erin Carter
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.
Ashley Woodward
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!
Amber
How long does the dressing stay good for?
Erin Carter
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.
Eleanor Johnston
This was so delicious!! I added some fresh ginger before blending also. Thank you for the recipe!
Erin Carter
OH I am so glad you liked it! And love the idea off adding ginger! Thanks for sharing
Lisa W.
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.
Erin Carter
Hey Lisa! I would try olive oil. Or anything with a mild flavour. Hope that helps!
Alanna de Boer
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!
Erin Carter
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??
Alanna de Boer
Just overnight. I have to get to Vancouver for SeaWheeze & then I drive down to SF from there.