Creamy, tangy, and ready in 5 minutes - this cilantro lime dressing gets its richness from cashews, not oil. Fresh lime, cilantro, a handful of pantry ingredients, and one blender. Works as a dressing, dip, or drizzle on pretty much anything.
If you love any of my vegan sauces and dressings like Easy Vegan Avocado Crema or Creamy Vegan Lemon Mint Salad Dressing, you're going to love this sauce.
By blending just eight simple ingredients, including cashews for creaminess and a hint of sweetness, lime juice for acidity, and a balance of salt, black pepper, and cilantro for flavor, this dressing achieves the perfect harmony of taste that's always better than store-bought.
Why You'll Love This Dressing
- Ready in 5 minutes, one blender
- Oil-free - cashews do all the creamy work
- Use it as a dressing, dip, or drizzle
- Make a batch ahead; keeps 3 days in the fridge
- Dairy-free, naturally vegan
Ingredients
You can make a delicious sauce in minutes with just a few easy-to-find ingredients. See the recipe card for a list of all ingredients plus quantities.
Raw Cashews - I always soften cashews when I'm using them in recipes, but waiting four hours to soak them isn't always practical. Check out my Guide to Soaking Cashews for quick and easy ways to soften them in less time.
Variation
- Swap cilantro for mint, parsley, or basil for a different vibe.
- Add a jalapeño for heat.
- Use more water to thin it out for a lighter drizzle, or more cashews for a thicker dip.
How To Make Vegan Cilantro Lime Dressing
Just like my other sauces and dressings like Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce or Easy Vegan Ranch Dressing, this low-effort, smooth dressing comes together fast in one step.
Combine ingredients in a blender, bullet, or food processor until smooth. Add more water if needed to thin it to your desired consistency.
Top Tips
You can use a blender, but half the dressing ends up trapped in the blender abyss, clinging to the blades. For maximum dressing extraction (and minimal frustration), a bullet blender or food processor makes life much easier.
Add more water a tablespoon at a time to make the dressing thinner.
If you have leftovers, store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Serving Suggestions
Use the dressing as a flavorful topping for salads, grain bowls, Jackfruit Tacos, burritos, Mexican Potatoes, grilled tofu, Vegan Jackfruit Nachos, and Quick Cuban Black Beans.
Use the dressing as a dip for veggies, chips, or crackers.
More Recipes That Love This Dressing
Vegan Cilantro Lime Dressing FAQS
If stored in an airtight container, this will keep well in the refrigerator for about 3 days.
Yes, swap cashews for hemp seeds or silken tofu.
Yes, all ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Have a minute? I'd love for you to dive into the comments and rate this Vegan Cilantro Lime Dressing. Your feedback is invaluable-did you love it? Did you make any fun twists? Let me know how my directions worked for you so I can keep improving my recipes. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for inspiration.
Recipe Card
Vegan Cilantro Lime Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews soaked for atleast 4 hours (or see notes)
- ½ cup cilantro ~11 grams
- 2 cloves garlic
- juice of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon capers
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup water or more as needed
Instructions
- In a blender, food processor, or bullet combine the ingredients.
- Add ½ cup of water or more to thin the dressing.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Regi Pearce says
Bright, zesty, and so creamy! This vegan cilantro lime dressing is packed with fresh flavor and the perfect balance of tangy, herby, and slightly sweet. I love it on salads, tacos, grain bowls, or as a dip. It's a new fav.