Xanthan Gum Free Cilantro-Lime Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Bright, tangy, and packed with fresh herb flavor, this cilantro-lime vinaigrette is the kind of dressing that makes you want to put it on everything — salads, grain bowls, grilled chicken, roasted veggies, you name it. Many store-bought dressings sneak in thickeners and stabilizers that can be a real problem for anyone avoiding xanthan gum, but this one gets its body the old-fashioned way: a steady drizzle of olive oil whisked into the acidic base until it naturally emulsifies. Apple cider vinegar and fresh lime juice give it a lively double hit of brightness, while raw honey rounds out the sharpness without tipping it into sweet territory. Ground cumin adds just enough earthy warmth to make the whole thing feel complex and intentional rather than thrown together. Every single ingredient is whole and recognizable, which means you know exactly what you're pouring over your food. Keep a jar in the fridge and you've got a versatile, vibrant dressing ready to go all week long.
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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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