Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette is a tangy, mouthwatering dressing that complements not only salads but also burgers, tacos, chicken, and veggies! Fresh cilantro, garlic, and limes pair with red wine vinegar and olive oil for a delicious smack-your-tastebuds gluten-free dressing recipe! {Paleo + Vegan}

Cilantro + lime = I’M IN! Are you #same? If yes, then you’re going to LOVE this Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette. Confession time: this wasn’t supposed to be a stand alone recipe. I first thought it would complement a taco salad (because YES and OBVIOUSLY). And that does not change. What does change is the fact that this vinaigrette is so damned good it just needs it’s own recipe card. With its own pictures. With its own backstory. And so here we are. Piquant flavors FOR THE WIN.

I was inspired by the Stay at Home Chef’s Healthy Taco Salad with Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette. I see a lot of recipes calling for apple cider vinegar, and I LOVE that she used red wine vinegar in hers. While I frequently use ACV in my recipes, too, I loved her take and was inspired to try that here. So delicious! 

Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette is here to stay, friends. And it’s going straight in the family recipe tin where it belongs. It is an excellent complement to countless recipes you likely already have in your recipe tin!

If you’re ready for a springy-summery paleo and vegan vinaigrette recipe, then grab your high speed blender, a cutting board, and a few fresh ingredients! You’ll have a quick and easy gluten-free vinaigrette in no time!

Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette ingredients

This vinaigrette oozes summer vibes! And why wouldn’t it? Made with fresh cilantro, garlic, and lime, it’s all kinds of refreshing! 

• Olive oil and red wine vinegar. I add these to the blender first so the remaining ingredients blender easier. Add more olive oil if the ingredients clog under and around the blender blades.
• Lime juice. I add the juice of one lime. Add more or less as desired.
• Fresh cilantro. Mince two cups of loosely packed leaves so they are small enough to blend easily. This will reduce the odds of the blades clogging while you make the dressing. It will also create a smooth consistency that’s easier to drizzle over foods.
• Fresh garlic. Like the fresh cilantro, I thinly slice each clove or use a garlic press to mince them. This prevents the cloves from getting stuck under the blades. Nothing says “surprise!!!” quite like a whole clove in a spoonful of vinaigrette.
• Onion salt and sea salt. These salts bring the flavors together. And, like the lime juice, you can add more or less as desired. OPTIONAL: Cumin and oregano. I add these flavors if I am drizzling this over taco salads, burritos, or other similar foods. 

Tips to make Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

Below are the steps to make your own Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette!

1. In a high-speed blender, add the ingredients in the order listed. Blend on MEDIUM speed until all the ingredients are mixed together and the liquids emulsify. If the ingredients don’t blend together easily, then add a little extra olive oil.
2. Refrigerate for about 3-4 days. Contents may settle or thicken.

Delicious pairings

Curious what to pair this Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette with? Below are tasty suggestions!

• Slow Cooker Beef Tacos
• Paleo Cauliflower Rice Tacos
• Spicy Quinoa-Stuffed Peppers
• Chicken Cauliflower Rice Bowl

Speaking of all these lovely pairings, I love how A Beautiful Plate added cumin to her Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette. I did not add it in this particular batch, but thought it was a fabulous idea (and when I DO add cumin to my vinaigrette, I often add oregano, too). Delish!

Take care, friends. I’m glad you’re here! ❤️

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