Simple Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

A lime vinaigrette goes great on a lot of Mexican-themed salads or bowls. Whether the base of your entree is a bed of leafy greens or quinoa and black beans, this dressing will wake up the ingredients. By that, we mean that the acidity of the lime juice and pungent nuttiness of the cumin make your bowl or salad come alive. Plus, you can easily whip up a batch of this dressing in a pinch; you just need the ingredients and a jar.

Unfortunately, you cannot rely on your blender to do the majority of the work for you when making this dressing. Well, you can if you want, but the dressing will turn a vibrant green. We prefer the different textures that this lime vinaigrette has, especially when you get some finely diced jalapeño and chopped cilantro in your salad bite. Don’t worry, though, this vinaigrette is far from the spiciest thing you’ll eat. Although there is some spice, the lime juice and maple syrup do a great job to cut the heat. After all, this dressing calls for the juice of three to four limes, so the flavor is quite zesty.

Once you prepare all of the ingredients, add all of them to a jar, seal the lid, and shake well to combine. Make sure to refrigerate for about 15 minutes before using for optimum flavor. Allowing the jalapeño and garlic to sit in the lime concoction helps to cut the spice of the jalapeño and the allium flavor of raw garlic. Just make sure to give the dressing a good shake before you dress your salads or bowls.