Nitrate & Nitrite Free Cilantro-Lime Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Bright, tangy, and just a little bit bold, this vinaigrette is the kind of dressing that makes you want to put it on everything. Fresh lime juice and apple cider vinegar bring the acidity, while raw honey softens the edges and ground cumin adds a warm, earthy depth that keeps things interesting. A handful of finely chopped cilantro stirred in at the end gives it that fresh, herby punch you just can't fake with a bottle from the store shelf. Store-bought dressings are one of the sneakier places where unwanted additives and preservatives tend to hide, so making your own from scratch is genuinely the easiest way to stay in control of what you're eating. Every single ingredient here is whole and recognizable — nothing processed, nothing cured, nothing that requires a magnifying glass to decode on a label. Whisking the olive oil in slowly creates a beautifully emulsified dressing that clings to greens rather than pooling at the bottom of the bowl. It keeps in the fridge for up to five days, so you can make a batch on Sunday and have a vibrant, clean dressing ready all week long.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
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.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!