While store-bought salad dressings are convenient, once you learn to make your own, you’ll never want to go back to spending money on products often made with low-quality ingredients. Homemade dressings, like this honey lime vinaigrette, are not only fresher but can also double as marinades for meats and vegetables.
Optional Add-Ins
While the basic honey lime dressing recipe has more neutral flavors ideal for sweet fruity salads, adding just a few basic ingredients can easily turn it into a dressing (or sauce) for savory salads, grain bowls, and more. Below are a few add-ins to give your sweet, savory, and spicy dishes a pop of flavor:
Garlic: One small fresh garlic clove would be a nice addition to any savory salad. However, in a pinch, garlic powder would also work.
Shallot: A small shallot or a quarter cup of thinly sliced red onion adds another layer of flavor.
Fresh herbs: Fresh cilantro is a great addition to any Mexican-style dressing; this one is no exception. Add a teaspoon of chopped fresh cilantro to turn this into a delectable honey lime cilantro dressing (just like I did in my Black Bean and Quinoa Salad) to use in any of your favorite Southwest-flavored salads. Or, use a few fresh mint leaves for a refreshing flavor twist when incorporating it into your favorite fruit salad.
Spices: Add a small amount of ground cumin and/or chili powder to enhance the depth of flavor and add warmth and complexity to any of your favorite Mexican salads with lime dressing.
Balsamic vinegar: Add a splash of balsamic vinegar for an additional layer of flavor! Thanks to balsamic vinegar’s rich, sweet, and tangy taste, balsamic lime dressing is a luxurious version of this basic lime juice salad dressing perfect for your next summer or winter fruit salad.
Dijon Mustard: Not only is it a natural emulsifier, but adding a small amount (½ to 1 teaspoon) of Dijon mustard can help balance the sweetness from honey and the acidity of the lime juice in the dressing.
Honey Lime Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- ¼ cup lime juice, ~ 2 limes (freshly squeezed)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Optional Add-Ins:
- 1 clove garlic, minced minced
- 1 small shallot, or ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Whisk together lime zest, lime juice, honey, and salt in a small bowl. If using, add in the garlic, shallot, and ground cumin.
- Slowly pour in the extra virgin olive oil while whisking constantly until emulsified.
- Taste for seasoning and add in, if necessary.
- Use it right away or store it in a mason jar in the refrigerator up to a week.
Notes
- Yield: This recipe yields approximately 1/2 cup of honey lime dressing.
- Storage: You can store the dressing in the fridge for up to 7 days.
- Taste for seasoning: Be sure to give it a taste and add more if necessary before using it in your recipe.
- If you make it ahead, be sure to give it a good shake before using it.
- While it is convenient to combine all the ingredients in a mason jar and give it a shake, the secret to making an ultra-creamy honey lime dressing lies in the two-step process we are using here. Slowly pouring olive oil into the lime and honey mixture while constantly mixing it ensures perfect emulsification resulting in a smooth dressing. So, for the creamiest dressing, do not skip this part.