Southwest Salad Dressing Recipe

Introduction

This Southwest Salad Dressing is creamy, tangy, and packed with smoky flavors. It’s perfect for adding a zesty kick to any salad or as a dip for your favorite veggies and chips.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup full-fat sour cream
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup water
• 4 teaspoons fresh lime juice
• 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder (or 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (approximately 2 large cloves)
• ½ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves (or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Add sour cream, mayonnaise, water, lime juice, chipotle chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and cilantro leaves to a blender.
2. Step 2: Blend the ingredients until the mixture is completely smooth. Pause and scrape down the sides with a spatula as needed, then continue blending.
3. Step 3: Transfer the dressing to an airtight container. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to use.

Tips & Variations

• For a thinner dressing, add a little more water or lime juice to reach your desired consistency.
• Substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream for a lighter, tangier version.
• Adjust the chili powder to control the heat level according to your taste.
• Use chopped cilantro if fresh leaves are unavailable but add slightly less, as chopped is more concentrated.

Storage

Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir or shake well before serving. It can be served cold or at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dressing ahead of time?

Yes, this dressing can be made a day or two in advance. Allow the flavors to meld by refrigerating it overnight for the best taste.

Can I use dried cilantro instead of fresh?

It’s best to use fresh cilantro for optimal flavor and brightness. Dried cilantro lacks the fresh notes and can alter the taste of the dressing.

Southwest Salad Dressing Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 115 reviews

This Southwest Salad Dressing is a creamy, zesty, and flavorful dressing combining bold spices like chipotle chili powder, smoked paprika, and cumin with fresh lime juice and cilantro. Made with full-fat sour cream and mayonnaise, it’s perfect for enhancing salads, tacos, or grilled vegetables with a smoky, tangy twist.

• Author: Naya
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 1 ½ cups 1x
• Category: Salad Dressing
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Southwestern
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Southwest Dressing Ingredients

• ¾ cup full-fat sour cream
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup water
• 4 teaspoons fresh lime juice
• 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder (or 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic (approximately 2 large cloves)
• ½ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
• Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves (or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro)

Instructions

1. Combine Ingredients: Add ¾ cup full-fat sour cream, ¼ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup water, 4 teaspoons fresh lime juice, 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon cumin, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves to a blender.
2. Blend Until Smooth: Blend the mixture until completely smooth. Pause the blender occasionally to scrape down the sides with a silicone spatula to ensure all ingredients are well-incorporated, then continue blending until smooth.
3. Store and Serve: Once the dressing is smooth, transfer it to an airtight container. Serve immediately as a dressing for salads or as a sauce, or refrigerate until ready to use. The flavors will intensify after chilling.

Notes

• You can substitute chipotle chili powder with ancho chili powder if you prefer a milder smoky flavor.
• If fresh cilantro leaves are unavailable, chopped fresh cilantro can be used instead.
• Adjust salt and pepper to taste after blending.
• This dressing can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Keywords: Southwest salad dressing, creamy salad dressing, chipotle dressing, smoky salad dressing, cilantro lime dressing