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    Home » Recipes

    Creamy Jalapeno Ranch Dressing [Dairy Free]

    Updated: March 2, 2022 | Published on: April 14, 2020 - Molly5 Comments

    Dairy Free RecipesDF
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    Jump to Recipe

    Creamy cilantro lime dressing done in 5 minutes! This easy and healthy dressing is dairy free and the perfect topping for tacos, fajitas, salads and more.

    cilantro lime dressing in a glass jar on a wood cutting board

    There's a restaurant here in Columbus known for their creamy jalapeno cilantro dressing. We like to put it on EVERYTHING. I mean everything. So I decided it was time to make my own (healthy and dairy free) version.

    What's in cilantro lime dressing?

    • Paleo mayo (I like Primal Kitchen)
    • Canned full fat coconut milk
    • Lots of cilantro
    • Honey
    • Lime juice
    • Homemade ranch seasonings: garlic powder, dried chives, dried dill, paprika and salt
    • Jalapeno (or pickled jalapeno)
    • Salsa verde (or diced green chilis)
    • Almond milk
    ingredients for cilantro lime dressing in a food processor before it's blended

    Recipe tips:

    This is a super simple recipe, but here are a few tips to guarantee it turns out each time:

    • You can use some of the cilantro stem. Don't spend too much time getting the herb off the leaf. A little stem is okay!
    • Shake your coconut milk well. You want a mixture of the thick cream that settles on the top and the liquid.
    • Customize your spice level by using more or less jalapeno and including the seeds or not. It's up to you! You can also swap out fresh jalapeno for pickled jalapeno.
    • Use a pre-made ranch seasoning packet if you want to, but I like to use my own spices so I can control exactly what goes into it.
    • Blend on high until smooth and creamy. The amount of time may depend on how high-powered your blender or food processor is.
    • Don't skip the salsa verde! It's so easy to find in the international section of the grocery store. You can also use diced green chilis if you have those on hand.
    • Customize your consistency by adding more or less almond milk at the end.
    creamy cilantro lime dressing blended in the food processor

    How to make cilantro lime dressing:

    Start by gathering all of your ingredients and placing them all in the bowl of a food processor. Add everything but the almond milk and blend on high until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

    Add the almond milk a few tablespoons at a time until you reach your desired consistency. Place in a jar with a lid and store in the refrigerator until you're ready to use.

    What can I put this dressing on?

    I think the real question is...what can't you put this dressing on?! It really goes with so many things and we love to have it in the fridge to spice up so many meals. Here are a few of my favorites:

    • Salads
    • Bowls: Sheet pan burrito bowl, veggie quinoa power bowl
    • Tacos: Taco stuffed sweet potatoes, turkey taco stuffed peppers
    • Burgers
    • Fajitas: sheet pan chicken fajitas, sheet pan steak fajitas
    cilantro lime dressing being poured on a fiesta salad

    If you love this recipe as much as I do, don't forget to follow me on Instagram and tag me with @what_mollymade so I can see it and feature you.

    What to put this dressing on:

    • Sheet pan steak fajitas
    • Veggie quinoa power bowls
    • Sheet pan chicken fajitas
    • Turkey taco stuffed peppers
    • Sheet pan burrito bowls
    cilantro lime dressing in a glass jar on a wood cutting board

    Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing [Dairy Free]

    Creamy cilantro lime dressing done in 5 minutes! This easy and healthy dressing is dairy free and the perfect topping for tacos, fajitas, salads and more.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Condiment
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 73kcal
    Author: Molly
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 3/4 cup paleo mayo (I like primal kitchen brand)
    • 1/2 cup full fat canned coconut milk shaken first to combine cream and liquid
    • 1/2 cup cilantro tightly packed (about 1/2 bunch)
    • 1 tablespoon honey (omit for whole30 option)
    • Juice from 1/2 a lime
    • 2 teaspoons dried chives
    • 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
    • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1 clove of garlic or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1 jalapeno roughly chopped (with or without seeds for more spice) *see notes
    • 1/4 cup mild salsa verde * see notes
    • 3 tablespoon almond milk more or less depending on your consistency preference

    Instructions

    • Add all of the ingredients, except for the almond milk, to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth, scraping sides down as needed. Add the almond milk a few tablespoons at a time until you reach your desired consistency. Place in the refrigerator to chill before using.

    Notes

    Instead of the chives, dill, garlic, paprika and salt you can use a 1 ounce packet of ranch seasoning mix, but I like using the spices for a cleaner option.
    You can swap a fresh jalapeno for 3/4 cup pickled jalapeno.
    You can swap the salsa verde for 1 can of diced green chilis.
    Add more almond milk if you want the dressing thinner.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 73kcal | Carbohydrates: 12.1g | Protein: 1.8g | Fat: 3.3g | Sugar: 3.6g
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @What_MollyMade or tag #whatmollymade!
    collage of creamy cilantro lime dressing

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amy says

      April 14, 2020 at 3:46 pm

      Excited to try this. What could be used instead of almond milk (nut allergy)

      Reply
    2. Nicki Kirton says

      April 14, 2020 at 5:04 pm

      5 stars
      This is absolutely delicious. I had it over sweet potato nachos tonight and it hit the spot!!

      Reply
    3. Holly says

      October 21, 2020 at 8:48 pm

      5 stars
      We love this dressing! We use it on salads, fajitas, tacos-it’s so delicious!

      Reply
      • Molly Thompson says

        October 26, 2020 at 3:03 pm

        We do too! Definitely one to make each week:)

        Reply

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    molly thompson from what molly made

    I'm Molly! I'm so grateful you're here. My hope is that my recipes bless your home and your bodies. I want my website to be a tool to help you feel your best and nourish you with recipes you (and your family) look forward to making!

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