The right sauce can make a big difference
Sometimes all you need is a great sauce to take a dish from good to great. Some people like a little, others a lot, so a sauce on the side pleases all palates.
The idea for this cilantro-lime sauce was inspired by Café Rio’s Creamy Tomatillo dressing. Like so many others, I am a big fan of Café Rio. For those not familiar, Café Rio is a fantastic casual restaurant chain based in Salt Lake City. My daughter lives there, and a Café Rio visit is mandatory every time I visit. Hey Café Rio people: your brand would be HUGELY popular in Madison, Wisconsin. Hint, Hint.
How to make Cilantro-Lime Sauce
There are many copycat recipes for Café Rio’s dressing; but the one I used as my starting point was from “the girl who ate everything”. Her recipe starts with buttermilk and a ranch-dressing packet. This sounded brilliant, because most other recipes like this have a much longer ingredient list!
I like to simplify even more, so decided to use Hidden Valley’s Buttermilk Ranch dressing, conveniently available in “light.” From there, I played with sour cream, lime juice and cilantro to get the right proportions.
Since I was not trying for a copycat, I skipped the tomatillo part. I just wanted a cilantro-lime sauce.
It turned out great! A light, creamy sauce, which works on any Tex-Mex dish. I particularly like it on a taco salad - yum! Add some salsa and you have a party on your plate.
And be sure to check out the recipes for Mini Bell Pepper Poppers and Air Fryer Taquitos. I LOVE dipping them both in this sauce!
Cilantro-Lime sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch dressing light
- ⅓ cup light sour cream
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ cilantro chopped
- Juice from one lime
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender or mini food processor.
- Process until smooth.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
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Need some other sauces for your Tex-Mex buffet? Try making Roasted Salsa, Guacamole or Avocado Dip. I love them all!
Another great sauce inspired by a fast food restaurant: Taco Bell (Copycat) Quesadilla Sauce. So good!
Texasgirl
Ant wait to try this, it sounds yummy
Sula
It's yummy and versatile!
Big Trouble
Have you tried this without the lime, too, Sula? It sounds good sans lime. But what do I know...
Sula
I haven't tried it without lime, but I do think it would be very good. I have been on a lime kick lately so I actually love that as part of the taste. 🙂
Heidy
This Cilantro-Lime Sauce was perfect on my chicken and my husband actually used it on fish the next day and loved it. I will be saving this recipe to try on other items.
Sula
I've used it on chicken but fish never occurred to me. I'll have to give that a try, thanks for the great suggestion!
Taylor Kiser
This was so delicious!! And super easy to make! We loved it on our taco salads!! Thanks for a great recipe!
Sula
Yes, taco salads are such a fave of mine and this sauce makes them even better!
Pam Greer
Cilantro and lime are my two favorite flavors and combining them in the sauce is genius! So many ways to use it!
Sula
It is so good!!
Beth
My husband and I love this sauce! It's so delicious and I can't wait to make this again!
Sula
I swear it goes with everything!
Toni Dash
This is so good! Love that you can whip it up in just 10 minutes! So easy!
Sula
Easy and fast is always best!
veenaazmanov
Love something new and this is what I got. I love your recipe. Simple and flavorful.
Sula
Thank you, I'm so glad you like it!
Irina
Some time ago, I started to collect sauce recipes. Yours sounds so delicious that it is going to my recipe collection. I will definitely give it a try!
Sula
I love sauce recipes too!
Emily
This cilantro lime sauce is so easy to make, and so delicious! Perfect for dipping so many things, We loved dipping quesadillas in this yummy sauce!
Sula
Sounds delish!
Jacqueline Debono
Love the combo of cilantro and lime in this sauce. I can imagine it would go well with white fish or chicken!
Sula
It seems to work with just about anything! I hope you give it a try!
Alexandra
We made this for our taco night, and it was so delicious with chips and as a side to the rest of our meal!
Sula
Oh yes, this is a perfect sauce for taco night!
Kerri
obsessed with this sauce! i can think of so many ways to use it!
Sula
Yes it is useful in so many ways!
Debra
You had me at cilantro! Seriously, the best herb every. This versatile sauce is so up my alley.
Sula
I love it too - it works with everything!
Amy
I'm always looking for delicious new sauces and dressings. This was so good!
Sula
It's a real keeper!
Chef Dennis
Damn!! Talk about deliciousness! This dip was a huge hit and I've got a request to make it again tomorrow for friends coming over.
Sula
I'm so glad everyone enjoyed it so much!
Amanda Marie Boyle
This sauce rocks! Such a nice change from salsa!
Sula
Yes and it actually goes well WITH salsa also!
Capri
This sauce is so perfect! I use it on my salad and it’s the best!
Sula
Oh yes, I LOVE it on a salad!
Robyn
This is so delicious with chips and carrot sticks! I love that it’s made from easily accessible ingredients too
Sula
I have it with chips often. Really need to add carrots in to be a little more healthy!!
Maren
Cilantro and Lime are two of my favorite ingredients. I'm going to make this tomorrow!
Sula
I hope you love it as much as I do!
Swathi
Cilantro lime sauce looks delicious and perfect dip anyday, Thanks for sharing with me.
Sula
You are welcome, I hope you try it soon!