Chili Lime Dressing
Last Updated on June 29, 2021 by Betty Davies
If you are looking for an easy way to liven up your everyday salad, this chili lime dressing hits all the right notes. Naturally sweetened with honey, it’s bright, zingy and so flavorful!
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my privacy policy here.
Ditching store bought salad dressings has been a real game changer, it’s a really small thing but ends up saving you money as well as cutting down on processed dressing that contain slats, sugars and preservatives.
This chili lime dressing is made with all natural ingredients. Zingy flavors of lime are balanced out with honey and a kick of garlic and red chili add a warming heat.
It’s such an effortless way to add flavor to your everyday salads.
Be sure to try my Honey Lemon Dressing and Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing too!
Why you will love this recipe!
- Quick and easy: It takes no more than 5 minutes to mix together the ingredients for this dressing and it’s good to use straight away.
- Make ahead: Make up a batch of this and enjoy it throughout the week.
- Simple ingredients: You just need 5 main ingredients to make this recipe.
- Dietary info: This chili lime salad dressing is dairy-free, gluten-free and low carb and is made without artificial sweeteners.
Ingredients
- Oil: Extra virgin oil is best to use when making salad dressings. It adds a nice rich and rounded flavor. You can use regular or avocado oil in a pinch.
- Lime juice: Use fresh lime juice for this recipe for the best flavor and zing. Bottled can taste quite artificial.
- Honey: Used to natural sweeten the dressing. Use a raw honey if you can for the best flavor and greater health benefits.
- Chili: Finely dice the red chili so that it’s not too overpowering. Use a red finger chili to add more flavor rather than spice.
- Garlic: Use freshly minced garlic for the best flavor.
How to make chili lime dressing
Be sure to scroll down for the full recipe!
- Simply add all of the ingredients to a jug and whisk together!
Recipe Variations
This chili lime dressing is pretty good as is, but there are a few easy swaps and additions you can make to suit your tastes.
- Make it spicier. Despite the chili, this dressing isn’t really that spicy. If you like things hotter, try using a spicier Thai red chili instead. You can also skip deseeding it which will add more heat.
- Use a different sweetener. Make this dressing vegan by swapping the honey for maple syrup, or use a liquid sweetener like stevia. A tablespoon of brown sugar will work well too.
- Swap the lime juice for lemon juice or orange juice for a different flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
This dressing will keep well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in a sealed jar or bottle. The ingredients will settle, so just give it a good shake before using it.
Yes, this salad dressing is ready to use as soon as you have mixed it together. As it sits, the flavors from the garlic will be more pronounced.
Making your own dressing is a healthier and definitely kinder to your wallet! You can adjust it easily to suit your tastes, make it hotter, sweeter or more zingy easily. There are no preservatives that are needed to keep it shelf stable and a lot less added sugar and salt.
Serving Suggestions
This chili lime dressing is obviously perfect to drizzle over salads, but it can also be used to marinate chicken and seafood too.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- If you don’t have a fresh chili, you can also make this with chili flakes.
- If your fridge runs pretty cold, the oil can solidify. Just take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before you want to use it and give it a good shake.
- Rather than whisking together, you can add all the ingredients to a mason jar and shake together.
This chili lime dressing has quickly become a favorite in our house! So simple and easy to make and packed full of fresh and zingy flavors.
More Dips and Sauces
If you’ve tried this recipe, be sure to leave a star rating and a comment below!
Chili Lime Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup fresh lime juice (about 4 limes)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 red finger chili (deseeded and finely diced)
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
- pinch of salt and pepper (more to taste)
Instructions
- Finely dice or mince the garlic and chili.
- Add all of the ingredients to a jug and whisk together.
- Store in the fridge.
Notes
- If you don’t have a fresh chili, you can also make this with chili flakes.
- If your fridge runs pretty cold, the oil can solidify. Just take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before you want to use it and give it a good shake.
- Rather than whisking together, you can add all the ingredients to a mason jar and shake together.
