Citric Acid Free Cilantro-Lime Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Bright, herby, and just tangy enough, this vinaigrette is the kind of dressing that makes you want to put it on everything — salads, grain bowls, grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, you name it. For anyone avoiding citric acid, store-bought dressings are basically a minefield, since that additive shows up as a preservative or flavor enhancer in nearly every bottled option on the shelf. This one sidesteps all of that by using fresh lime juice and apple cider vinegar as the only acidic components, both of which are naturally derived and free from the synthetic citric acid found in commercial products. The emulsification technique — slowly drizzling in the olive oil while whisking — gives you that smooth, cohesive texture you'd expect from something far more complicated. Raw honey adds a gentle sweetness that balances the tang, while cumin and fresh cilantro bring an earthy, aromatic depth that makes this feel like a real restaurant-quality dressing. It comes together in minutes and keeps in the fridge for up to five days, so you can make a batch at the start of the week and have something genuinely delicious ready to go every single day.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 1 lime)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
- 1 small garlic clove, finely minced or grated
- 1 tsp raw honey
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt, or to taste
- ⅛ tsp black pepper, or to taste
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Add the apple cider vinegar, lime juice, minced garlic, honey, cumin, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) to a small bowl or jar. Whisk or stir until the honey is fully dissolved and the mixture is combined.
- 2
Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking constantly until the dressing is emulsified and slightly thickened, with no visible separation.
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