Rice 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 — salads, grain bowls, grilled vegetables, you name it. The combination of apple cider vinegar and fresh lime juice creates a lively acidity that gets rounded out beautifully by a touch of raw honey and earthy ground cumin. Fresh cilantro stirred in at the end keeps the herb flavor vibrant rather than muted, and the optional red pepper flakes add just enough heat to keep things interesting. Whisking the olive oil in slowly is the key move here — it brings the whole thing together into a smooth, slightly thickened emulsion that clings to whatever you're dressing. Store-bought dressings can be surprisingly tricky to navigate when you're avoiding certain ingredients, but this one is made entirely from whole, straightforward pantry staples with zero hidden fillers. 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 use it all the way through.
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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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