Quick Honey Lime Salad Dressing Recipe
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Light and simple honey lime dressing recipe is a great addition to your summer salad line-up. This tangy dressing, vinaigrette, and marinade will become a family favorite!
This honey lime vinaigrette is quickly made with healthy ingredients you probably have on hand.
The fresh flavor of this dressing pairs great with savory salads, fresh fruit salad, grilled chicken, beef or pork, and seafood too!
I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, feel free to click “Jump to Recipe” right under the title of this post, and you’ll head straight there!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Refreshing Flavor – This citrusy sweet salad dressing will be your go-to recipe during the hot summer!
- Simple Ingredients – You’ll have a quick and easy dressing to top a delicious salad with some staple seasonings, honey, fresh lime, oil, garlic, and cilantro.
- A crazy delicious salad dressing recipe you will make on repeat, it works on so many salads and proteins too!
Simple Ingredients for Honey Lime Dressing
Lime | Use lime zest and fresh lime juice for a tangy, brightening taste, that has a Caribbean salad vibe.
Honey | Adds a touch of natural sweetness and tones down the acidity in the lime, use local honey! Yum!
Seasonings | Season with freshly ground black pepper, kosher salt, and cumin.
Garlic | Add a fresh garlic clove, minced or pressed, in a pinch, sub garlic powder.
Oil | I use mild-tasting avocado oil, but vegetable oil or extra virgin olive oil will also work great.
Cilantro | Cilantro adds a great texture and flavor to this easy dressing, but if you dislike it, leave it out!
How to Make the Honey Lime Vinaigrette Recipe
In a mason jar with a tight lid or a small bowl and combine all dressing ingredients. Then, cover the container and shake to combine the tasty ingredients.
Add the dressing to a blender and mix the ingredients for a few seconds if preferred.
Then, add the dressing to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve, preferably at least 30 minutes for best results!
Allow the dressing to come to room temperature (about 20-30 minutes) before serving on your favorite salads.
Mason Jars
- Make your honey lime vinaigrette in a mason jar; less dishes to clean up, plus you shake and store in the same jar!
Fresh Tips
- If using olive oil for the dressing, remember to remove the jar or container from the fridge about 30 minutes before using it because it will harden in the refrigerator.
- Always shake or stir the dressing before adding it to a recipe.
- This salad dressing becomes more and more flavorful as it sits in the refrigerator. Try making it ahead and serving it the next day to see for yourself!
Check out more of my tasty salad dressing recipes, like this creamy Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, Homemade Green Goddess Salad Dressing, fruity Pomegranate Salad Dressing Recipe, and tangy Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing.
Variations & Substitutions
Keto Cilantro Lime Dressing: For a low-carb version of this delicious dressing, omit the honey and replace it with a couple of teaspoons of Monk fruit sugar replacement or something similar.
Vegan Lime Dressing: Omit the honey and replace it with maple syrup.
Spicy Cilantro Honey-Lime Dressing: Turn up the heat with seeded and coarsely chopped fresh jalapeno peppers.
Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing: Add plain Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, or sour cream to make a creamy version of this simple salad dressing.
Fruit Salad Dressing: Think outside the box; this dressing is delicious with your favorite fruits or on this tropical fruit salad.
Storage Tips
Keep your homemade cilantro lime honey dressing in the refrigerator in an airtight container for a 7-14 days, especially when it’s tucked in the colder part of your fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
If using olive oil, the results may be a bit bitter. Smoother neutral oils, like grapeseed or avocado oil, balance the flavors better in this simple dressing.
Yes, you can substitute cilantro with other herbs like parsley, basil, mint, or a combination of herbs based on your preference. This can alter the flavor profile of the dressing, so feel free to experiment and find your favorite combination.
Yes, you can make cilantro honey lime dressing in advance. Allowing the flavors to meld together by refrigerating it for a few hours or overnight can enhance the taste. Store the dressing in a sealed container in the refrigerator until ready to use it. Give it a good shake or stir before serving to ensure the ingredients are well combined.
8 Ways to use Cilantro Honey-Lime Dressing
Cilantro honey lime dressing is versatile and can be used in various ways. Here are a few ideas:
Salad dressing: Toss it with mixed leafy greens, try it on my Mexican Chopped Salad – a meal in itself!
Marinade: Use it for chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, or tofu. Let the protein marinate for a few hours to absorb the flavors before grilling, baking, or sautéing.
Drizzle over grilled vegetables: Brush the honey lime dressing over vegetables such as zucchini, bell peppers, and asparagus to add a tangy and sweet glaze.
Tacos and wraps: Drizzle the dressing over tacos, burritos, or wraps for a burst of flavor. It pairs well with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or fish tacos.
Dip for vegetables: Serve the honey lime dressing for fresh vegetables like carrot sticks, cucumber slices, and bell pepper strips.
Grilled fruit: Brush the dressing onto halved peaches, pineapples, or watermelon slices before grilling them. The combination of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors is delightful.
Grain bowl or Buddha bowl: Use the dressing as a sauce for a grain bowl or Buddha bowl. Drizzle it over cooked quinoa or brown rice, along with roasted vegetables, avocado, and protein of your choice.
Sandwich spread: Spread the honey lime dressing on sandwiches or wraps to add flavor.
Remember, these are just a few suggestions, and you can always get creative and experiment with different dishes to discover new ways to use honey lime dressing. Let me know your favorite!
TOP TIP
Let it marinate for better flavor. Allow the dressing to sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before using it to let the flavors meld together, a day ahead is even better.
Best Salads for Honey Lime Cilantro Dressing Recipe
This salad dressing is perfect for a taco salad, like this Mexican Chopped Salad, a classic and Easy Italian Chopped Salad Recipe, and this Hearty Chicken Cobb Salad.
Best Healthy Mexican Chopped Salad with Lime Dressing
A Healthy Mexican Chopped Salad recipe with honey lime dressing full of fresh corn, creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, jicama, and black beans.
Best Easy Italian Chopped Salad Recipe
Loaded Italian chopped salad with fresh veggies, salami, provolone, kalamata olives, and homemade Italian vinaigrette. A light and delicious meal that will make you love salads!
Best Entrees to Serve with Cilantro Lime Salad Dressing
Drizzle your honey lime vinaigrette on these Mexican Barbacoa Tacos for an extra flair of flavor or skip the classic barbecue sauce and dress up this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe with bright lime honey dressing.
Easy Authentic Mexican Chicken Fajitas (Fajitas de Pollo)
An Authentic Mexican Chicken Fajita Recipe that’s bursting with flavor! Our Fajitas de Pollo, with perfectly marinated and sautéed chicken, bell peppers, and onions.
Best Mexican Fruit Salad Recipe
This light dressing is ideal to enhance flavors on a tropical fruit salad!
More Delicious Sauces and Dressings
- Rocky Mountain Homemade Barbecue Sauce
- Best Homemade Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe
- Best Homemade Zesty Italian Salad Dressing Recipe
- Easy Nut-Free Basil Pesto Sauce Recipe
- Best Homemade Italian Marinara Sauce Recipe
I hope you loved this Cilantro Honey Lime Salad Dressing Recipe— if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below.
Quick Honey Lime Salad Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lime, zested
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice, about 2-3 limes
- 1-2 tablespoons honey, omit if low carb, replace with sugar free replacement
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup avocado oil , or your favorite oil, any vegetable oil or even extra virgin olive oil*
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped, optional
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a jar, combine all dressing ingredients, cover and shake to combine, or whir for a second in a blender. *Note, if using olive oil for the dressing, remember to remove it from the fridge about 30 minutes before using; the olive oil will harden.
- Then, add the dressing to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve, preferably at least 30 minutes for best results! Allow the dressing to come to room temperature (about 20-30 minutes) before serving on your favorite salads.
✱ Kathleen’s Tips
- Keto Cilantro Lime Dressing: For a low-carb version of this delicious dressing, omit the honey and replace it with a couple of teaspoons of Monk fruit sugar replacement or a Keto honey.
- Vegan Lime Dressing: Omit the honey and replace it with maple syrup.
- Spicy Cilantro Honey-Lime Dressing: Add seeded and coarsely chopped fresh jalapeno peppers.
- Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing: Add a couple of tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, or sour cream to make a creamy version of this simple salad dressing.
- Fruit Salad Dressing: Think outside the box; this dressing is delicious with your favorite fruits or on this tropical fruit salad.
- *Oil: Use your favorite oil, if using heavier oils like extra virgin olive oil, be sure to allow it to come to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
- Salad dressing: Toss it with mixed leafy greens, try it on my Mexican Chopped Salad – a meal in itself!
- Marinade: Use it for chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, or tofu. Let the protein marinate for a few hours to absorb the flavors before grilling, baking, or sautéing.
- Grilled vegetables: Brush or drizzle the honey lime dressing over vegetables such as zucchini, bell peppers, and asparagus to add a tangy and sweet glaze.
- Tacos and wraps: Drizzle the dressing over tacos, burritos, or wraps for a burst of flavor. It pairs well with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or fish tacos.
- Dip for vegetables: Serve the honey lime dressing for fresh vegetables like carrot sticks, cucumber slices, and bell pepper strips.
- Grilled fruit: Brush the dressing onto halved peaches, pineapples, or watermelon slices before grilling them. The combination of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors is delightful.
- Grain bowl or Buddha bowl: Use the dressing as a sauce for a grain bowl or Buddha bowl. Drizzle it over cooked quinoa or brown rice, along with roasted vegetables, avocado, and protein of your choice.
- Sandwich spread: Spread the honey lime dressing on sandwiches or wraps to add flavor.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
The Fresh Cooky is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
About Kathleen Pope
Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer
Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen. Read more about Kathleen here.
I tried this amazing dressing on our salads tonight for dinner and it was so light and refreshing and simply just perfect. Thank you for the recipe!!
So glad you enjoyed it, Ned!
A tasty dressing for my salad. The family loved it and the cilantro and lime added so much flavor and freshness.
So glad you liked it.
This came together so fast, it was perfect. The flavor really hits the spot!
So glad to hear, Erik!
Nothing beats homemade. This dressing is amazing and so much better than store bought. This will be a go-to salad dressing of mine!
Thank you!
I made a Mexican chopped salad today and used this dressing and it tasted amazing!! The sweet sour combination of the honey and lime added such great flavor to the salad!
Love to hear that, Anjali! Thank you!