Paraben Free Cilantro-Lime Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Bright, tangy, and just a little bit bold, this cilantro-lime 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. Store-bought dressings are one of the sneakiest sources of synthetic preservatives and additives, which is exactly why making your own from scratch is such a smart move. Every single ingredient here is clean and recognizable: extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lime juice, apple cider vinegar, raw honey, and a handful of real spices. The slow drizzle-and-whisk technique creates a beautifully emulsified dressing that clings to greens instead of pooling at the bottom of the bowl. Fresh cilantro stirred in at the end keeps the herb flavor vibrant and green rather than muddy. A touch of cumin and optional red pepper flakes give it just enough depth and warmth to feel like more than a basic vinaigrette. Make a jar at the start of the week and you'll have a genuinely satisfying, preservative-free dressing ready to go for days.
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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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