Easy Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce (and Dressing!)

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.

Ways to Use Cilantro Lime Sauce and Dressing

This versatile Tex-Mex condiment pulls double duty as a creamy dipping sauce, a vibrant salad topper, or a savory flavor booster. Here are the best ways to serve it:

• Taco Drizzle: Spoon it generously over grilled salmon tacos, shrimp tacos, or shredded chicken thighs.
• Salad Dressing: Toss it with crisp romaine, black beans, corn, and cotija cheese for a refreshing southwest chopped salad. It is also fantastic on simple green salads for a touch of something different!
• Appetizer Dip: Serve it as a cool, creamy dipping sauce alongside warm tortilla chips, quesadillas, or crispy taquitos in the air fryer.
• Finger Food Pairing: Use it to cut the heat of spicy appetizers or as a zesty dunk for stuffed mini bell peppers.
• Burrito Bowl Base: Drizzle the easy sauce over layers of cilantro lime rice, black beans, fajita veggies, and grilled steak.
• Burger & Wrap Spread: Slather it onto grilled turkey burgers, chicken wraps, or breakfast burritos instead of plain mayo.

Cilantro Lime Dressing Ingredients

• Buttermilk ranch dressing
• Sour cream
• Garlic
• Cilantro (fresh)
• Lime - for juice

How to make Cilantro Lime Dressing/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.

I just add all the ingredients to a mini blender or food processor and blend a couple minutes to make it smooth.

It turned out great! A light, creamy cilantro lime dressing, 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.

Substitutions & Variations

• If the "light" component isn't a priority for you, use full-fat sour cream and dressing.
• Use Greek yogurt for a boost of protein in place of the sour cream.
• Use a packet of dry ranch mix and a dairy-free substitute to make a dairy free version.

Storage

This cilantro lime dressing stores beautifully in the fridge for up to 5 days. Use a jar with a good, airtight lid for best results, and give it a good shake just before using.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this cilantro lime sauce without a blender or food processor?

Yes, you can! My earliest versions of this recipe were made without a food processor with success. Just be sure to finely mince the fresh cilantro leaves and garlic with a sharp knife before adding to the ranch dressing, and then whisk everything together vigorously. The appearance will be less green, rather it will looks like a mostly white sauce dotted with green. But it'll still taste great!

How long does homemade cilantro lime dressing stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container or a sealed mason jar in the refrigerator, this sauce will stay fresh and flavorful for up to 5 days. Give it a quick stir or shake before serving, as the lime juice and cilantro may naturally settle over time.

Can you freeze cilantro lime crema?

I do not recommend freezing for this sauce. Because ranch dressing is a dairy-and-oil-based emulsion, freezing will cause the ingredients to separate and become watery or grainy upon thawing. It is so quick to whip up that it is best enjoyed fresh!

How can I make this cilantro lime ranch lower in calories?

To lighten up the recipe, swap the traditional bottled ranch dressing for a version made with olive oil, or use a light/low-fat ranch dressing base. You can also mix equal parts light ranch dressing and plain, non-fat Greek yogurt to keep it creamy while cutting down on fat.

📖 Recipe

Another great sauce inspired by a fast food restaurant:Taco Bell (Copycat) Quesadilla Sauce.

And if you love homemade salad dressings, I have a few to consider!

• Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Honey Lime Dressing
• Homemade Sweet Catalina Dressing
• Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette
• Easy Shallot Vinaigrette